Some time back, I had the chance privilege of meeting and coming to love as dear friends the widow and children of one of Afghanistan's finest sons, Mohammed Daud Daud. He was assassinated by vile men on May 28, 2011, but when a man of this statue is killed by his enemies, the enemies are the ones who fail. For those among us who live in the knowledge of the honor and courage of the man who stood firmly until the end for those he loved and the highest ideals of humanity, he only shines brighter, his words are remembered even more vividly, and what he stood for is lifted higher, when the enemy destroys.
So it is with General Daud, whose life and ideals live on, only being etched in the minds and hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the world more deeply. His life calls more clearly to those left behind, especially the youth of Afghanistan, urging that they live above the common man. His life calls to all and urges significant living, devotion to honor, and bravery to face evil, never flinching.
In a world so hungry for the examples of lives spent in such meaningful living, that their light shines on, even in death and beyond, Mohammed Daud Daud remains a light on a hill. The truth of his life remains to inspire, make hearts brave, and strengthen the resolve of those who would follow his example.
As I woke this morning, my mind was on his widow and children, and I considered how much they mean to me, and how fortunate I am to have come to know them and of the life of Mohammed Daud Daud. With this consideration, came a sense of my own responsibility concerning this blessing. It is not right that I know what I have learned from the lives of he and his family, without doing my best to share the light in which he lived, and they do still. So I am recording and sharing his story for those in my own sphere of influence, and I trust it will further the influence of such a life so well lived. This day, the life of Mohammed Daud Daud will spur me to higher living, to greater commitment, and to more diligence toward the things which are really important at the end of the day. I am going to record stories of his life, as told to me by the woman he so deeply loved and cherished, in the days ahead in this blog, knowing that whoever finds them will be inspired to greater living. As always, in my prayers I will ask for the strengthening and care of the family he left behind.
I can think of no better place to start than with these words:
"The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly."
So it is with General Daud, whose life and ideals live on, only being etched in the minds and hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the world more deeply. His life calls more clearly to those left behind, especially the youth of Afghanistan, urging that they live above the common man. His life calls to all and urges significant living, devotion to honor, and bravery to face evil, never flinching.
In a world so hungry for the examples of lives spent in such meaningful living, that their light shines on, even in death and beyond, Mohammed Daud Daud remains a light on a hill. The truth of his life remains to inspire, make hearts brave, and strengthen the resolve of those who would follow his example.
As I woke this morning, my mind was on his widow and children, and I considered how much they mean to me, and how fortunate I am to have come to know them and of the life of Mohammed Daud Daud. With this consideration, came a sense of my own responsibility concerning this blessing. It is not right that I know what I have learned from the lives of he and his family, without doing my best to share the light in which he lived, and they do still. So I am recording and sharing his story for those in my own sphere of influence, and I trust it will further the influence of such a life so well lived. This day, the life of Mohammed Daud Daud will spur me to higher living, to greater commitment, and to more diligence toward the things which are really important at the end of the day. I am going to record stories of his life, as told to me by the woman he so deeply loved and cherished, in the days ahead in this blog, knowing that whoever finds them will be inspired to greater living. As always, in my prayers I will ask for the strengthening and care of the family he left behind.
I can think of no better place to start than with these words:
"The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly."
