Leading On The Path Toward A Clear Goal
As I was reading The Fellowship Of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien yesterday I was struck by this description of Gandalf by Tolkien: “To Gandalf the far-off memories of a journey long before were now of little help, but even in the gloom and despite all windings of the road he knew whither he wished to go, and he did not falter, as long as there was a path that led towards his goal.” Tolkien created a great leadership example in Gandalf. He modeled that hope is preserved through small consistent actions.
From Tolkien’s statement about Gandalf, we can learn the importance of perseverance and clarity of purpose. Despite facing darkness and complex obstacles (“gloom” and “windings of the road”), Gandalf remains steadfast because he knows his destination and the path to achieve it. This highlights that having a clear goal and unwavering resolve can help us navigate through life’s uncertainties and challenges without faltering. It reminds us to stay focused on our objectives, trust in our direction, and persist even when the journey becomes difficult.
Creating Our Own Cages
I am a huge Asking Alexandria fan and their song “Into The Fire” which was released in 2017 has always caused me to do some heavy reflection every time I hear it. After hearing it again while spending some quality time in the tractor cab recently, I even pulled out my highlighted and heavily annotated copies of C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce and The Problem of Pain while reflecting on the song. I’ll get to the notes I pulled in from those works in a moment. For now let’s discuss “Into the Fire” as a powerful and emotionally charged song that I believe explores themes of inner struggle, pain, and seeking redemption. That is the beauty of great art and artists like the members of Asking Alexandria; it allows us to make our own interpretations. The lyrics allow the listener a dynamic interaction between artist and listener with meaning not always fixed by the artist.
In my reflection and thoughts, the song conveys a sense of facing darkness and trying to overcome personal demons or difficult circumstances. The metaphor of going “into the fire” suggests enduring hardship or confronting intense emotions in the hope of eventual healing or growth. Sometimes we have to realize we are who we are and that we must go into the fire.
Verse 1 of “Into the Fire” says, “I’m not too sure what I’m supposed to do with this; These hands, this mind, this instability; From a cage I created to a Hell that Heaven made.” Here, the lyrics express confusion and uncertainty about how to handle our own abilities and mental state. “These hands” and “this mind” symbolize our physical actions and thoughts, respectively, suggesting we may feel overwhelmed or unprepared to control or utilize them effectively. The mention of “instability” indicates inner turmoil or emotional instability, highlighting inner conflict.
The line, “From a cage I created to a Hell that Heaven made” reflects a sense of self-imprisonment—we’ve created limitations or barriers (“a cage”) around ourselves, perhaps through fears, doubts, or negative patterns. The phrase “to a Hell that Heaven made” suggests that despite the potential for goodness or salvation (“Heaven”), the circumstances or internal struggles have transformed that potential into suffering (“Hell”). It could imply that one’s own actions or perceptions have turned a positive environment into a painful one.
This all reminded me that C. S. Lewis said, “I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside” in The Problem of Pain. Many times we do create our own “cages” that are mentioned in “Into the Fire.” As a Christian, I am reminded we have a choice between Heaven or Hell.
In Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis taught us that pride was the “great sin” that leads to every other vice. The characters in Lewis’s The Great Divorce were reluctant to let go of their sins and attachments, showcasing how pride, resentment, and selfishness can prevent one from achieving redemption. This could be true of the character represented in “Into the Fire.”
My big takeaway from pondering all of this is the reminder of what C. S. Lewis told us in the preface to The Great Divorce: “I think earth, if chosen instead of Heaven, will turn out to have been, all along, only a region in Hell: and earth, if put second to Heaven, to have been from the beginning a part of Heaven itself.” God lets us choose!
You Cannot Trust Us To Let You Face Trouble Alone
I loved this from Frodo’s friends as he was preparing for a difficult and dangerous journey in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring: “‘You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is.” This declaration of friendship from Frodo’s fellow Hobbits underscores that real friendship involves loyalty, trust, confidentiality, and a willingness to face hardships together—lessons that are valuable in our everyday relationships.
Frodo’s friends were highlighting key qualities of true friendship. It reminds us that genuine friends are loyal and dependable—they stand by you “through thick and thin,” offering unwavering support and trust. They also respect our privacy, being trusted to keep secrets confidential. Importantly, true friends don’t abandon us in difficult times; instead, they face challenges together with us, ensuring we’re never alone in trouble. Are you being a true friend?
Advice Is A Dangerous Gift
As I continue reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring I keep reminding myself that Tolkien did not use nor like allegory. However, I still can’t help myself from being intrigued by scenes in the book and wanting to connect them to some lesson. One such scene was the conversation between Frodo and Gildor. Here is what they said: “‘And it is also said,’ answered Frodo: ‘Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.’ ‘Is it indeed?’ laughed Gildor. ‘Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill. But what would you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how then shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice, I will for friendship’s sake give it. I think you should now go at once, without delay;…” (p. 84). Frodo’s and Gildor’s words highlight the cautious nature of the Elves when giving advice, emphasizing how even the wise can be guarded.
The elves are wise and experienced, but also careful about sharing their knowledge and advice, knowing that words can have unintended consequences or that their insights might be misunderstood or misused. The quote recognizes importance of discretion: Sometimes, it’s better to be cautious about what we share, especially when the information could be sensitive or misunderstood.
There is wisdom in silence. Silence or restraint can be powerful, allowing us to observe and understand before speaking. We need to Recognizing that different people may interpret advice differently, and that sometimes holding back is a sign of wisdom.
Our Deeper Realms Of Reality
It was curious to me that the last sentence in Lilith by George MacDonald was a quote by Novalis. The quote, “Our life is no dream, but it should and will perhaps become one” is attributed to Novalis, but some believe it is a paraphrased quote. Still, it was a pretty ingenious way of ending the book and concluding Lilith with a reflection on the transformative power of imagination, faith, and spiritual awakening. MacDonald was greatly influenced by the work of Novalis.
MacDonald was deeply interested in the idea that our earthly existence, while real and tangible, is also intertwined with the spiritual and the transcendent. By ending with a quote suggesting that life, though currently concrete, might become more like a dream—more fluid, wondrous, and spiritually aligned—he invites readers to consider the possibility of deeper realms of reality beyond the material world. It emphasizes hope and the potential for personal growth and enlightenment, encouraging us to see life not just as a series of fixed events but as something malleable, full of divine possibility.
I wonder if MacDonald may have wanted us to learn that even though our current experience is grounded in reality, there’s a divine or spiritual dimension that we can aspire to access—making life more like a meaningful, dream-like journey towards higher understanding and unity with the divine.
The Sport of Our Dreams
Yesterday’s post, Our Cosmic Holiday, was inspired by Mr. Vane in Lilith by George MacDonald. I just had to do another post inspired by the next sentence, “When a man dreams his own dream, he is the sport of his dream; when Another gives it him, that Other is able to fulfil it.” This suggested to me that when we envision our own desires or aspirations, we are at the mercy of our own subconscious or internal forces—essentially, we are “the sport” of our inner dreams. Think about the times we give ourselves encouragement or the times we get in our own way with self-doubt or overthinking something.
In contrast, when an external force or another person presents or influences our dreams, that external entity holds the power to shape and fulfill those dreams for us. As in all his works, MacDonald was masterful in Lilith with his allegorical approach by allowing the “Another” or “Other” be God or someone else in our worldly life like a mentor or friend. He very aptly reflected the tension between individual agency and external influences—perhaps highlighting how dreams and desires are not always entirely within our own control, especially when influenced by others or larger forces. Remember, that influence can be positive or negative. Also remember, what might seem negative today, turns out to be positive for us in the long run. As my mom used to say, “When God closes a door, he always opens a window – go find it!” Gosh I miss my mom!
This all underscores the interplay between personal longing and the shaping forces outside oneself, which is well explored by MacDonald in the Lilith through the interactions between characters and the broader metaphysical or societal currents. All this underscores the idea that while, we as humans, want control and understanding, much of our experience is shaped by influences beyond our grasp and understanding—whether divine, metaphysical, or societal. Macdonald taught that it was okay to be content with not knowing everything—there would come a day when it would all be revealed.
Our Cosmic Holiday
Today as I was finishing reading Lilith by George MacDonald, Mr. Vane, the protagonist, made a few profound comments. First, he said, “Life was a cosmic holiday.” My interpretation was that he was expressing a perspective that life should be enjoyed and experienced with a sense of wonder and freedom, much like a joyful celebration or vacation. The phrase suggests that life, in its vastness and mystery, can be seen as an extraordinary, almost otherworldly experience—an opportunity to explore, delight in existence, and find happiness amid the chaos and unpredictability of the universe. It reflects a philosophical outlook that emphasizes embracing life’s fleeting moments with joy and a sense of awe, rather than taking everything too seriously.
Another quote that MacDonald wrote for Mr. Vane was, “Man dreams and desires; God broods and wills and quickens.” For me this highlights a profound contrast between human and divine nature. It reminded me just how much we humans are characterized by our dreams, wishes, and aspirations—all things rooted in imagination, longing, and personal desire. In contrast, God’s role involves deep contemplation (“broods”), deliberate intention (“wills”), and the act of bringing life or reality into existence (“quickens”). This caused me to ponder how divine action is thoughtful and creative at a fundamental level, shaping the universe with intentionality and care. Contrast this with we humans sometimes fleeting or restless aspirations.
Ring Of Power
I am reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring right now as part of my Continuing Scholar work at the Marion E. Wade Center. In the story Gandalf told Frodo, “A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. It may slip off treacherously, but its keeper never abandons it. At most he plays with the idea of handing it on to someone else’s care – and that only at an early stage, when it first begins to grip.” Even though J.R.R. Tolkien did not like the use of allegory or intentionally use allegory, the “Ring of Power” can serve as a powerful metaphor with valuable lessons. For example, it can illustrate the dangers of absolute power and corruption, the importance of humility and restraint, or the idea that what seems to offer power and control can ultimately lead to destruction.
Using the “Ring of Power” as a lesson encourages us to reflect on how the pursuit of power influences behavior and decisions, emphasizing caution, self-awareness, and the need for integrity in leadership and personal choices. Just like the ring and the power the ring possessed were almost impossible to give up, so are the many powers we often possess impossible to give up and become all consuming and fuel a desire for more.
The “Ring of Power” can also symbolize the seductive nature of material possessions and the way they can influence our values and priorities. Just like the ring grants immense power, material things can seem to offer security, status, or happiness. However, they can also become sources of obsession, greed, or distraction from what truly matters. The lesson is to recognize how attachment to material possessions can lead us astray, encourage moderation, and remind us to value inner qualities like integrity, humility, and meaningful relationships over fleeting material wealth. Ultimately, the ring serves as a reminder that true strength and fulfillment come from within, not from external possessions.
Learning System
Yesterday, during a leadership development gathering we got into a discussion about developing a coherent “high-quality learning system.” We then talked about defining a learning system. Here is what I came up with:
A high-quality learning system is a structured framework designed to facilitate effective education by incorporating key components that enhance the learning experience. It is differentiated to meet diverse learner needs, responsive to feedback and changing circumstances, relevant to real-world applications, transferable across contexts and disciplines, rigorous to ensure depth and mastery of content, and usable by learners to apply knowledge confidently in practical situations. Together, these elements create an environment that promotes meaningful, adaptable, and enduring learning outcomes.
A few other elements of a high-quantity learning system that I subsequently considered for addition were:
- Consider the development of the adults facilitating learning. This would be andragogy – the method and practice of teaching adult learner.
- Making sure an environment, with the necessary supports, is created so students belong.
- Provide a supportive learning ecosystem – culture, family, community, resources
All of these considerations should help lead to a responsive learning environment.
Leading With Clarity And Certainty
Can providing clarity and certainty be crucial in providing safety and a safe environment? This came up in a discussion today and it really got me thinking about how much clarity, certainty, and safety are related. Providing clarity and certainty is essential for creating a safe environment for working and learning.
When individuals know what to expect, understand the rules, and feel confident in procedures, it reduces anxiety and confusion. This fosters a sense of security, encouraging people to take risks, ask questions, and engage fully without fear of hidden dangers or misunderstandings. Clear communication, consistent policies, and well-defined boundaries all contribute to building trust and safety, which are fundamental for effective collaboration and growth.
Vertical alignment is an essential component of creating a clear and cohesive environment. When organizational goals, values, and expectations are aligned from top to bottom, it fosters transparency and consistency. This helps build trust among team members, as everyone understands how our individual roles contribute to the bigger picture.
By ensuring that we communicate effectively and support consistent policies, vertical alignment reinforces a sense of security and predictability. This clarity encourages those we serve to take risks, ask questions, and engage more fully, knowing they are working within a well-defined framework.
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