This week I spoke at an event at The Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone, Botswana. When I got to the venue there was a very strong security presence due to the meeting of heads of state of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It amazed me as I experienced firsthand how we human beings elevate people in status. I understand the need for security but all the extra special attention given to politicians who are in fact servants to the public baffles me. In the grand scheme of your development as a human being when you look up to people or look down to people it has the same effect on your development. Admiration for a person’s achievement to inspire you during your development is not the same as just placing a person on a pedestal because they have a title. You must honour yourself by never minimizing yourself to another nor should you minimize another in relation to you. Amongst all the people that was at The Grand Palm, synchronicity was at work bringing me in contact with Mr. Herbert Brown. His melodic Jamaican accent was just as much responsible for me hanging on to his words as the wisdom he spoke. During lunch he explained the concept of the spiritual dad. His definition of the spiritual dad is a man who serves the purpose of dad for children that don’t have a dad and who are battling to cope in life. Mr. Brown is an active member in his society and is a spiritual dad to six children. He shared the success of one child who grew up to attain her University Degree. I mentioned that we should not put people on pedestals but if I had to, I would put Mr. Brown on a pedestal. Not because he is better than anyone else is but because he makes a difference, he improves the standard of living of the people he serves. My wish is that children are cared for so that there is no need for spiritual dads.
Herbert Brown – Spiritual Dad
Leave a Reply