A friend of mine is dealing with a power struggle at work. During my workout this morning I crafted this parable. You'll recognize the source:
A long time ago in a land far far away a wealthy uncle and his wealthy nephew came into conflict over pasture land and water rights.
The uncle was richer and more powerful. He could have driven his nephew into the desert. Instead he said, “Let there be no strife between you and me or between your herdsman and mine. Is not the whole land before you? If you take the left hand, I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, I will go to the left hand. “
The nephew lifted up his eyes and saw that the valley in front of him was well watered like a garden. The cities in the valley were prosperous. The people there were the “beautiful people“ and threw the most amazing parties. So he chose the green valley for himself and journeyed to the East. And he was welcomed into the upper echelon of the cities in the valley. He became a celebrity there and his wealth increased.
After the nephew moved away, a god appeared to the uncle and said, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”
Epilogue
Several years later The Army of the Four Kings conquered The Army of the Five Kings of the Valley. In the process the nephew was taken captive. His uncle heard about the disaster from a survivor.
The uncle assembled a strike force of 318 elite special forces. He tracked down the Army of the Four Kings and attacked with aggression. He totally obliterated the Four Kings. And, rescued his nephew.
NB. Wise people realize that the world is abundant. It’s often possible to live peaceably and prosperously; even when the other party is greedy and aggressive. There are other times to go war. Truly wise people know the difference.