“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The human body consists of 12 systems – www.innerbody.com.
The skeleton (1) and the muscles (2) constitute the Core of the human body. The skin/hair/nails (3) protect the core from the external elements and, internally, the immune system (4a) detects and protects against disease and the lymphatic system (4b) transports infection-fighting white blood cells. Together they form the Stamina of the human body.
The nervous system (5), directed by the brain, is responsible for the control of the body and the communication among its parts; the cardiovascular (6) system, powered by the heart, is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body; the respiratory (7) system is responsible for breathing without which there would be no life; and the endocrine (8) system is responsible for maintaining a balance among the multitude of highly complex interactions in the body. Collectively they represent the Life of the human body.
The digestive system (9) feeds the entire body and eliminates waste; and the urinary (10) system filters the blood and eliminates waste as urine. Jointly they result in the Growth of the human body. The Male (11) and Female (12) reproductive systems work together to produce offspring. This permits the Sustainability of mankind.
As we have transitioned in the above human system synthesis of the design of the robust human body, a simple logical sequential pattern has been revealed: Core – Stamina – Life – Growth – Sustainability.
Incidentally, this human system synthesis lends some insight into how we can structure businesses to enhance their sustainability.
In the language of business systems the simple logical sequential pattern is Governance – Structure – Regular Meetings (Core); Finance – Credit Rating – Enough Capital (Stamina); Marketing – Consumer Satisfaction – Sales (Life); Operations – Expansion – Profits (Growth); and People – Efficiency – Productivity (Sustainability). The People business system is the anchor leg of the relay, it is responsible for securing success.
Yet, we expose ourselves to the daily diet of instant international news, stories of death in one form or another, and the diminishing value of human life.
We are our own worst enemy in that on the one hand we have Divine potential for growth, sustainability and success, if we nurture the potential of the human being, but on the other hand human life is sometimes treated as if it were not worth a dime.
Last week Pope Francis, while visiting the United States, brought a consistent pro-life message to the nation’s leaders and admonished members of Congress in a speech to “defend life at every stage of development.”
The Pope said: “Here I think of the political history of the United States, where democracy is deeply rooted in the mind of the American people. All political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person and be based on respect for his or her dignity. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“If politics must truly be at the service of the human person, it follows that it cannot be a slave to the economy and finance. Politics is, instead, an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life. I do not underestimate the difficulty that this involves, but I encourage you in this effort.”
Pope Francis talked about the importance of the Golden Rule and said it has significant pro-life implications. “The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” he said. “I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity.”
We need a paradigm shift in the way people are treated. Our primary school teachers should be the best that can be. We need to motivate people to engage in positive affirmations of passion, persistence and patience to attract abundance as we seek to develop the mind (wisdom), the body (physical) and soul (energy).
In developing the mind as we journey through life, our discovery spectrum evolves from our exposure to data and information which then constitutes our state of knowledge. Our continuing pursuits transport us through the maze of insight and understanding to the rarefied atmosphere of wisdom.
In developing the body we need to respect the need for good nutrition, regular exercise, sound sleep and the power of touch. Touch is the first sense we acquire and the secret weapon in many a successful relationship. There are times when only the language of touch can fully express what we feel. In developing the soul, we must learn how to use the lifeline of breathing to inhale positive thoughts of life, love and light and exhale the toxins of anger, worry, fear, guilt and hate.
Let us work not only on ourselves but take a moment to encourage others at home, at school, at work and as we are of service to the community to build each other up. We need people in our lives to encourage us; let us also encourage the people in our lives and help them reach their potential.
There is no doubt that God will help us all to fulfill our dreams so we in turn can be a blessing here on earth.
Be encouraged.
(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is Change-Engine Consultant, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust Inc. – CBET. His columns may be found at www.cbetmodel.org and www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com.)