Letter To My Leaders

 

Once upon a time, you were that little boy with nothing but a vision.

 You were that little girl with a burning desire to stand out. Somewhere 

along the line, you may have said,

"I would be the CEO of my own company, the President of my country.

 I would change my country and make the world a better place."

Maybe all you wanted was power and dominion.

That's the blood of a leader. It thirsts for authority and sovereignty.

However, some blood gets mixed with impurities. Impurities such as pride, 

greed, lust, selfishness, cruelty, deception, covetousness, and the unending 

craving for absolute control.

Many leaders are mere tools of darker figures lurking in the shadows. 

Tools of impulses they cannot control. They thought they had it all planned 

out, but along the line, they found new corridors that held promises 

too tempting to ignore.

Now is the time for sober reflection. When you were a little boy or girl... 

What drove you to take the first step that led you to where you are now?

 Are you still on course? Have you stayed true to the vision? 

Have you remained faithful to the younger you who was bold enough to dream? 

The one who made room for the emergence of the man or woman you now see in the mirror.

You can clean up that man and stay true to your purpose—the purpose that

 the universe bestowed upon you. Look at the people around you. 

They are not tools. They have given up so much to stand by you because they believed in you and your vision.

 They elected you, held on to your hope, and contributed to your success. They chose you.

Without the recognition and existence of the masses, a leader is nothing but a dreamer.

Are you now an embarrassment to them, or are you making them proud?

Are you honouring them? Or do you silently and openly make a mockery of their resilience?

There's a darkness in each and every one of us. The battle we are destined

 to fight until we die is to keep that beast in check and allow the light to 

have its channel through us. We are all but vessels.

My leaders, choose to harness the light and shun the darkness, even

 though it resides in you.

Choose service over manipulation.

Mass empowerment over control.

Selflessness over covetousness.

Love over lust.

In the darkest executive boardrooms, be the light.

To my aspiring leaders

I know what it feels like to nurture a burden that isn't yours. To hold and

 pursue a dream that isn't self-centered.

I know the silent nights you break down and wish you could be seen more,

 heard more, and appreciated.

I know how hard you fight.

I know you make mistakes here and there...

I see how you neglect yourself to be a manghoro tree for everyone.

I see the pain behind the smile. The guilt for every special soul you could not satisfy.

I see the tough hands, forged in battles you chose and didn't choose, but had to man up because you couldn't afford to lose.

The secrets you have to bury because of the constant expectations to be perfect. Without blemish, without blame, without freckles or spots.

I see you.

Before you were born, you were chosen.

You had to wear a heavy crown even before you learnt to spell your name.

So many sacrifices you made to stay in the lane.

There were nights madness came knocking, but you had to keep your wits together and stay sane.

You rose in the face of adversaries and adversities.

You stood up and let courage rise when danger scowled.

You accepted your uniqueness... and protected your calling.

You made it this far. So allow me to celebrate you.

I remind you of the person you once were. I stand beside your past self, 

and I am the present extension of the hand of your past, stretching out to

 congratulate you on how far you have come. Look at all you've become.

Yet...

This is not the end of it.

To my leaders who have crossed the finish line

Have you done all you can do? Is this the end of your legacy? 

Have you hit the limits of your horizon?

Catch your breath and set new records... The tracks are infinite. 

You are never really finished until you decide so.

Your purpose is infinite. Your legacy is immortal, and your voice is unquenchable.

Where are your successors, who would carry the essence of your soul

 when your body returns to the dust?

Your body dies, but your soul seeks a new vessel. Your mission on earth is endless.

From the preceding generation, your soul inhabited a special someone, 

and the baton was passed on to you. The race continues regardless of 

time or season. You must pass on the baton because your dream isn't 

yours alone.

Thank you for all you are, for all you've done, and for who I have become because you said yes to the call.

You made our lives more colourful, and we hope that when the curtains

 are drawn and the earth is dug, you will rest in peace.

Yours truly,  

A dreamer. 

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