Lucian Eyers © 2008
It is dangerous to compare as it forces us to judge. The results can either leave us feeling smug or inferior – but today I am compelled to do so. This week saw Saudi Arabia take a key step towards building the world's tallest tower and outdo its Gulf neighbour Dubai.
‘The Saudis awarded a more than $1 billion contract for a spire that will soar two-thirds of a mile high, to be named the Kingdom Tower. It will have a Four Seasons hotel, serviced apartments, luxury condominiums and offices, encompassing, in all, about 5.4 million square feet.
The plans make Saudi Arabia a front-runner in the race between the oil-rich Gulf nations for glitzy, architectural trophies that dot their desert territories with glimmering skyscrapers and elaborate, man-made islands. The projects are seen as status symbols to show off both economic success and cultural sophistication.’ 1The tower alone will cost $1.2 billion to build.
In contrast, ‘The images coming from across the Horn of Africa are bleak: skeleton-thin babies being held by their underfed mothers, crying for food in refugee camps, wasting away in front of the lens.
The drought in East Africa is being called the worst the region has seen in half a century. An estimated 12.5 million people are facing starvation in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, along with parts of Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti. It's so bad that aid workers have dubbed this region "The Triangle of Death."2
The UN estimate says US$2.5 billion is needed to save all drought victims.
The comparison is an obvious one to make and something of which we are all guilty. While our egos reach for the clouds and beyond, from the exploration of space to the building of other icons and spectacles, our brothers and sisters are decaying in the dust.
Courage is the ability to act for the higher good and put others before yourself.
It is speaking the truth, when many are frightened to do so.
Courage is believing in your own power and not be intimidated by the power of others. It is knowing that belief is stronger than cynicism.
We have all been brought together on this planet from different places. Some of us have experienced many lives and have learnt to love nature and be at one with it – I call these people ‘The Children of the Earth.’ Others are young souls who have much to learn or engage more in the masculine, logical and ambitious side of their brain (the left side), opposed to the feminine, creative and spiritual side (the right side). There are of course some who choose to engage both sides equally and have learnt balance. You will know these people – they are kind, gentle, but still strong.
We are all capable of being such people. The key to this is courage.
A wonderful lady called Daphne inspired the poem which is illustrated above. It was written at a time when I felt the whole world was against me. Then one day a small woman stepped forward and reminded me, how beautiful human beings can be. You can purchase this poem and others from, 'The Second Sparky Book of Hours,' as an eBook or a hardback via our website at:
‘Dear Daphne’ taken from ‘The Second Sparky Book of Hours’ by Lucian Eyers © 2008
1 Huffpost website: 2/8/11 Saudi Arabia Superscraper: Planned Kingdom Tower In Jeddah To Rise Two-Thirds Of A Mile
2 Huffpost website: 4/8/11 East Africa Famine: How To Help
I think most of humanity would choose to spend so much money on feeding the people of East Africa rather than putting up such a structural eyesore, except most of the money isn't with most of humanity, more's the pity. A worthy blog, Lucian.
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