Dear Editor,
Money, power and influence can be corrupting, and maybe that is why when God asked Solomon what he wanted he chose wisdom.
Warren Buffet and Bill Gates — two men among the richest on earth -- are busy finding ways of giving away their wealth. Soon after accumulating all their wealth, these men realised that they can only drive one car, eat until their belly is full, sleep in one bed even if the house has fifty bedrooms.
Few of us will ever reach self-actualisation, most of us will live a life on the edge where one illness or an accident will wipe away our life savings. But for those who have six cars parked at one home, have credit cards galore, and are able to determine who, what and where, theirs is a burden that is unbearable.
Therefore, what if Vybz Kartel had decided that he would use his fortune to make Calabar High School the best school in the Caribbean. He would have returned to somewhere that he had failed, but which didn't deter him. The same way Shaggy is making the Bustamante Hospital for Children a premier institution for child health care. Our athletes, philanthropists and musicians can take away valuable lessons from this case. How you use power and influence leaves a lasting legacy.
The people who throughout history have lived selfless lives have left indelible footprints on the sands of time. Those who have chosen to use wealth, power and influence to hurt and coerce the powerless to cower and be afraid are soon forgotten or mentioned in hushed tones. The Hitlers or Osama bin Ladens would have been respected had they used power and influence to create rather than destroy, to wreck people's lives rather than help, those who silence the thoughts of others will forever be remembered as the tyrants they were.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
To whom much is given...
-->
Money, power and influence can be corrupting, and maybe that is why when God asked Solomon what he wanted he chose wisdom.
Warren Buffet and Bill Gates — two men among the richest on earth -- are busy finding ways of giving away their wealth. Soon after accumulating all their wealth, these men realised that they can only drive one car, eat until their belly is full, sleep in one bed even if the house has fifty bedrooms.
Few of us will ever reach self-actualisation, most of us will live a life on the edge where one illness or an accident will wipe away our life savings. But for those who have six cars parked at one home, have credit cards galore, and are able to determine who, what and where, theirs is a burden that is unbearable.
Therefore, what if Vybz Kartel had decided that he would use his fortune to make Calabar High School the best school in the Caribbean. He would have returned to somewhere that he had failed, but which didn't deter him. The same way Shaggy is making the Bustamante Hospital for Children a premier institution for child health care. Our athletes, philanthropists and musicians can take away valuable lessons from this case. How you use power and influence leaves a lasting legacy.
The people who throughout history have lived selfless lives have left indelible footprints on the sands of time. Those who have chosen to use wealth, power and influence to hurt and coerce the powerless to cower and be afraid are soon forgotten or mentioned in hushed tones. The Hitlers or Osama bin Ladens would have been respected had they used power and influence to create rather than destroy, to wreck people's lives rather than help, those who silence the thoughts of others will forever be remembered as the tyrants they were.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
To whom much is given...
-->