Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Guarded Genius 6/03/09

There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group, there is less competition there.

Indira Gandhi
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Hello. Are you there?
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To me one of the saddest stories in the Bible is Ecclesiastes 9: 14, 15.

"There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it; now there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man."

What the mighty king wanted with this little city is a mystery. Perhaps it was in a strategic location. Whatever, it was important enough to built great walls of defense against it. The king was obviously, and probably incorrectly, expecting the little city to mount a fierce counter attack. And why did he put it under siege, allowing no access or egress until it ran out of food and had to surrender. Why didn't he just overrun it if he was such a "great king"?

Nevertheless, "there was found in the city a poor, wise man." Why did he have to be found? Was he hiding? I doubt it. Was he the only wise man in the city? Being poor, was he living in a hovel down a back alley perhaps, barely able to feed himself and his dog? And how did he save the city? Did he come up with some scheme to frighten the mighty king and his army to make them run away? Did he go out and negotiate with the king? And why would the mighty king give audience to a poor man? Kings don't usually discuss things with paupers.

Well, whatever he did it worked. The kings army packed up and left, and the poor man went back to his hovel with his dog knowing that he and his neighbors could sleep in peace.

No doubt the self important mayor, being a good politician, congratulated himself and his fellow citizens for their courage and commitment in protecting their freedoms, their rights and their way of life.

We will never know what the poor, wise man did to save the city. He never stepped forward to claim the credit. Besides he was just a bum who lived in a hovel and wasn't worth a damn. So they forgot about him.

I have seen it happen in my days. I'm sure you have also. Someone stands up, takes the credit, the award, the appreciation and applause for something he didn't do, oblivious to the existence of the one who actually did it. And often the genius who was really responsible is sitting and applauding with the rest.

As President Harry Truman said "It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

DB - The Vagabond
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A blessing on you, whoever you are.
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5 comments:

Linda S. Socha said...

And often the genius who was really responsible is sitting and applauding with the rest

True I believe..... At the risk of sounding trite or Pollyanna(fortunately I have a relatively strong self-concept:>)) I need to again say...I love your stuff
Linda

Wes said...

DB:

I was going to write a little something, but chose to read other entries. I'm glad, I like to check up on good people like yourself. I hope all is well and life has been good to you.

About the people who take credit for others work, I feel it is due to lack of effort. Some people just sit and wait for good things to come to them. While others work hard, or have a natural talent for certain tasks. I've never understood how man works, nor will I ever completely figure it out.

We all have a different design for our life, an individual soul. Sometimes we are able to cross paths with like minded people. When that occurs, it is a good thing. What separates us from genuine collaboration, is man's will.

The soul of a person is what really matters. Some people have the ability to see through a person. But, most people trust in man too much. Maybe it's faith that separates people? Man has a need to overfill a plate. Instead of giving credit where credit is due.

Fear causes most people to allow another to steal one's credit. Fear is what causes a person to become a thief, too afraid to think. I have been an idea man, only to become the victim a few times before.

Sad to say I've allowed my fear to deprive my soul from receiving credit from my self. Life is a tricky thing, we must stay true to our self. No matter the outcome, no matter the person.

Then again, my strength has handed me an empty plate numerous times before. I know I will always be fearless, but will acknowledge the need to put bread on the table for my family. I believe people get what they deserve eventually.

I will just keep moving in the direction that I helped design. I will go forth with my loved one's in life's journey.

I did it again, I wrote a rambling entry at your souls place. It's late, forgive me my friend. I hope it will least make sense, or pertain to the point of your entry.

Blessed Be,
Loren Wesley Ackerman

salemslot9 said...

hi
I'm still here
the ones who take undeserved credit
act like it wasn't their fault
when something goes pear shaped

Beth said...

I've seen it recently...effusive praise heaped upon someone, while another someone who worked equally as hard, if not harder, got limited recognition. Oh well, if we all were motivated to do things only when we got praise for them, I suppose not much would get done! Haha! Love, Beth

Ken Riches said...

I find the corrallary is that for those that do the work, you keep getting more heaped on you, while others enjoy the spoils. I hope I can soon stop being one of the recipients of the heaping :o)