The 1914 Christmas Miracle

The Christmas Truce in 1914 was a moment of unexpected miracle during the First World War. Right up until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, German, Scottish and French soldiers fought as no other war. All three parties had a reason and was not going to turn back. But when Christmas Eve arrived the holiday spirit pranced through the trench. And for a full 48 hours there was a moment of peace and humanity that no men could have ever expected.

The 2006 film Joyeux Noel depicts this warm Christmas spirit.
http://www.historicaleye.com/xmastruce.html

A night before Christmas Eve, such movies remind us of what human heart could do. There is snow outside tonight. It looks like we are going to have a very white Christmas, a kind that we haven't seen often in Korea.


Merry Christmas with love

Extraordinary Merry Christmas

Extraordinary Merry Christmas.

The greatest gift of all is to be able to give back to those who you love.
Another year has gone by. And it would not have been the same without them.

Thank you 2011.

See you soon 2012. Another extraordinary year awaits us.

Merry Christmas!

Clausewitz

"In the beginning, Clausewitz wrote to change an army; in the end, he wrote as devils chewed his soul. No happy man thinks deeply or writes well." (p.xvii)

"Clausewitz had the gift that comes to few men of seeing clearly then drwaing universal conclusiosn from the partiality of experience. Intuitively, he spotted relationships where others saw only disparate events and sensed the constants underlying the disruptions of his age." (p. xi)

- Introduction to the On War, Clausewitz by Ralph Peters.

Papers + Books

The more you read, the more you will know.
The more you know, the better your writing becomes.

Final exam and paper period in graduate school.

We should take nothing for granted

"The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process. We should take nothing for granted."

- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, farewell address, January 17, 1961


Yes, we should take nothing for granted. Appreciate it, cherish it, and be thankful of it. Because every moment, every person, every work you are earned and given may be something that someone else will only dream for.

What 1919 Paris tells us.

In 1919 Paris, at the end of World War I there was hope. Most of the powerful countries were present, most of the powerful leaders were taking an active lead in initiating a change to the broken world. Their six months of effort must not be forgotten. Yet, as we see from history, we see again how the War is torn down during World War II and the Cold War. Even today, current world politics show how the deep economic integration and globalization has not prevented someone from declaring war. So then, are we ultimately a failure in becoming a true "peacemaker"? Is by human nature such effort impossible to do?

In a sense, the true effectiveness of a "peacemaker"s role is often evaluated through history. Through time and history, we are able to have a better sense of who meant what and why certain things didn't happen certain way.

Still, as I review these stories, I am constantly reminded how history would remember us today of these moments. How can we measure ourselves as a good leader, a wise person if our good "peaceful" efforts may not always bring that good result? Is the initiation good enough? How do we know which one is the right one? How much time should pass for us to know which policy and which decision was the "right" one? Right one, as in what standard?

President Wilson became quite ill since he returned back to Washington. He was consumed with the deep failure of implementing his dream in US and Washington. The key is for policy makers and leaders today to not fall into this trap. The trap of letting one dream consuming oneself to the point it kills you. We are only human. Don't try to do everything by yourself. Let your team dream that dream with you. And let the time and world show what is the right one. But don't forget to work through your consciousness. Because your heart will know what decision is the right one. Let time and history to tell.

Dream with your team. Trust your instincts leaders.

A Lesson from a Beggar in Geneva

Do you know the difference between a beggar in Washington, D.C. and in Geneva?

In Washington, D.C., they are the biggest symbol of un-welcomed group of people because in a capitalist society, they represent the poverty and the unfortunate ones with no money and no power. The concept is no different when you step into London, Seoul, or any other society that you consider money centered, which is the world that I was used to seeing. So when I saw one smelly beggar enjoying his morning black coffee peacefully at a nice outdoor cafe in Geneva I was surprised. In fact, for the locals this was a common scene. Him sitting among a grand parent couple and two business people sharing morning coffee was not a problem to the locals, which only surprised me more. Was I the odd one to feel this unusual?

In Geneva, and most other cities in Europe, as a socialist society money is secondary to human well-being. So even though a penniless beggar asks for some cash in the street to have a coffee, people say 'why not, they are human too who also have the right to enjoy their morning coffee.' I began to see how people here did not obsess over money, work, or power the same way they do in other capitalist societies. Because though money is an important measure of wealth, it is just one single part of life and is believed not to be the goal of life for many people.


That is probably the same reason why you rarely see (or actually I never saw any during my time at Geneva for eight months) any store that opens 24hours. The grocery stores close sharp around 6:00 and does not open on Sunday's. Other than the restaurants that open to serve lunches, the post office, banks and pharmacies are mostly closed during the two hour lunch break most people take. In fact, restaurants and cafes are open only for certain hours so you might make a trip by mistake forgetting that its a day they do not open.

At first, being someone who was used to taking the 24 grocery market to kill time at midnight, these living conditions was troublesome. Especially, having lived my first few months with a local Swiss landlady, I witnessed the visible difference in the meaning of consumption. At first, I just thought it was a few things she wanted to keep the old style. But soon I realized the reason why all her furniture, products were old was because the mentality of Swiss people was that 'you fix and reuse the item you own until it breaks down, but you rarely would go exchange it out for a complete new version.'

The lesson was important for me as someone who grew up all her life in two capitalist cities, Korea and the United States. In the US or Korea, it was the complete opposite. In Korea, for instance, following the most popular fashion, the most well paid job, and the most recognized title was a big-must-trend. Thus, at one point, you realize that the majority of people become identical. But people can't stop avoid doing because they don't want to be considered the 'old fashion.' Plus, it's much easier to buy the big new version that is not only cheap with a discount but also convenient at the 24 hour store across the street. But no, in Geneva, you reuse the old kitchen facility that you had since the 1980s because this is how it has been.

Now being back home in Korea working and witnessing the dynamic city run around money and these title again, I remember what I had felt while observing that beggar few months ago in Geneva. And just as this beggar, my time in Geneva taught me not only how to enjoy life as it is and follow your true passion, but also how to appreciate taking rest and all ups and downs as an experience. Big dreams are good, but it is not necessary to stress out on the competition or become the ultimate workaholic to hurt your health. Beggars in Geneva not only get morning coffee and pensions but are also full of smiles. At Geneva, I had promised myself to live a happy life of my own not influenced by money or society.

So far, I think I am keeping up with that promise, and will be in this new year too.

The Road Ahead

The problem today is there are just too many path, too many options, too many choices. It used to be easier. Either yes or no. Black or white. Go or stay. But the ultimate lesson remains the same. As Robert Frost said before, I agree, take the path less traveled, and you will discover something in you surprising and delightful.

Take that road. Be brave. But don't forget to enjoy it.

The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having pehaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing thee
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowning how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.



------

He said it. That has made all the difference.

The Capital

It's a world full of madness and excitement.
Be part of the game,
if not, your squared.

Washington, D.C.
USA

Fall, 2009