I've been thinking A LOT about this approach to life in the last year. These words are an invitation for me to resist the pull of existing passively and instead actively live a life characterized by zeal, passion, and enthusiasm. And I have yet to meet someone who isn't looking for more authentic, soulful laughter, mixed with compassion in their life.
History Unfurled
History Unfurled is about opening up the sails and letting the winds of history take us where they will.
Using the art of storytelling, the goal is to uncover familiar and unfamiliar themes in a way that breathes new lessons into our lives.
Operating as usual
The late Fred Rogers used to carry this phrase around with him in his wallet. I found this thought-provoking, challenging, and inviting. If nothing else, it reminds me to listen and engage others before I rush to judge their external behavior. Easy to post about... hard to do.
I'm not convinced that Einstein said this, but the quote has played a prominent role in my life during the last two years. I hope this encourages you to lean into your unique talents, experiences, and capacity to influence others in your immediate circles.
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” -- Albert Einstein
Ras Tafari, the future Emperor of Ethiopia using the proven strength and convictions of previous generations along with the innovation and vision of his own, deftly rose to power in his country. He ensured that he surrounded himself with the right people who brought their diverse contributions to his ambitious aspirations. He took the highly unorthodox step of reaching beyond his traditional borders for assistance and was met with mixed responses. While doing so, he confronted the most ancient and complicated institution within Ethiopia: slavery.
Check out Historyunfurled.com for Part II of the series, The Last African Emperor, to read more about Ras Tafari's journey to becoming the man the world would one day know as Haile Selassie.
There's definitely some practical takeaways that we can absorb from the man nicknamed "The Father of Africa" by other African leaders.. His 3:30 AM routine continues to have an impact on me and my capacity to serve others.
Great episode with Craig Minchin of History Unfurled
The Red Army had no hesitancy in using female soldiers during WW II. Seeing Russian women in uniform deeply unsettled the frontline German soldiers and officers alike. Not only did the use of women soldiers have a psychological impact on the German soldiery, but it had strategic repercussions for the ill-fated Operation Barbarossa and its foray into the Soviet Union. German war planners realized too late that their estimates of the Russian armed forces were off by as much as 50%.
The deadly effectiveness of these women was one of the reasons that the Germans failed to take Russia, which resulted in a dramatic halt to their conquest of Europe.
Smart, beautiful and deadly, 19-year-old Soviet sniper Roza Shanina had 59 confirmed kills, 1945
page:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/anatolianleo )
(rarehistoricalphotos.com/roza-shanina-1945/?fbclid=IwAR3evAYo-SCZ5pZQ6D53lDx48fZtOTmDBO2mMeTvU5aPhOTf2Bs408FuxPg)
Haile Selassie... complicated, courageous, visionary, and flawed. These are the kinds of leaders that I love exploring with Tim Windsor.
Have a listen to our latest conversation on the UNCOMMODiFiED PODCAST.
"If I am to avoid doing unusual things, it is difficult to see what chance I have of becoming more than an average person." Winston Churchill in a letter to his mother.
Before he entered politics, his life was a flurry of well-calculated, unusual and non-normative behaviors that shaped his future leadership style and subsequent ability to influence the multitudes. It provokes me to consider what 'unusual' activities am I able to engage in to the benefit of others?
History Unfurled Friends,
I'm excited to bring you this final installment on Alexander the Great! It's been a while since I posted and I thank you for your patience as I started an amazing new job this summer.
In this post, we'll explore the 'secret sauce' that made Alexander so successful as he conquered the lands from Greece to modern-day Pakistan. Tapping into the internal and external motivators of his soldiers, he built camaraderie and unprecedented levels of trust. From games to peer-recognition programs, he demonstrated his rare instincts and willingness to lead differently, while repeatedly taking a relational approach with his troops.
Enjoy and be inspired!
http://ow.ly/5lrO50GcEKA
Now here's a provocative thought...
"A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops; An incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops." -- General John "Blackjack" Pershing
“In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.” – Miguel de Cervantes
"The noblest art is in making others happy." -- Phineas Taylor Barnum
In honor of the birthday of Gaius Julius Caesar (July 12th 100 B.C), here's one my favorite quotes. It feels very Winston Churchillian...
"It's only hubris if I fail." -- Gaius Julius Caesar
Macedonian Warfare Part II is now posted on HistoryUnfurled.com
Enjoy the next part in the series that further explores the military innovations that Alexander the Great made to his already dangerous army. Special forces, long-range artillery, missile cavalry and communications specialists are all covered.
The final installment on Macedonian warfare will be released in the upcoming weeks and then I'll be taking a break from Alexander the Great to focus on other subjects that are catching my eye.
In the meantime, unfurl the sails and enjoy exploring more of Macedonian military expertise!
http://ow.ly/VNZV50FoBCI
On June 28th, 1914, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, as their motorcade drove through Sarajevo. Princip's actions would quickly set in motion events that would lead to the start of World War 1. This conflict is considered the most important global event of the last century and led to 40 million military and civilians deaths. Four great empires also imploded due to the war: Ottoman, German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian. One man with one gun altered borders, governments, institutions, and whole civilizations.
"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." -- Aristotle (tutor to Alexander the Great)
HistoryUnfurled.com
Zoroastrianism was the state religion of the Persian Empire at the time of Alexander the Great. It is considered the oldest monotheistic faith globally and, believed to have significantly influenced Judaism and, much later, Christianity and Islam. Ahura Mazda (Lord of Wisdom) is the sole deity and object of veneration, instruction, and inspiration. Fire plays a central role in this ancient faith as a means of physical energy and spiritual purification. The sacred fire in the Yazd temple (located in central Iran) has been consistently burning since 470 A.D. It was moved by devotees hundreds of miles to secret locations for several centuries to escape war and persecution. The sacred fire reached its final destination in 1934 and was placed in a temple constructed to house it. Going back to antiquity, the Zoroastrian simplified moral code is,
Right Thoughts
Right Words
Right Actions
historyunfurled.com
When we dare to fly at a lower altitude and ignore the high-level tactics, technology, and totality of war, we're left with individuals who felt that they were doing what was right and true. Surviving three and a half years in Japanese captivity is worthy of several medals alone. But my guess is that nothing compared to the moment his son and wife rushed to greet him. Love this pic.
Gunner Hector Murdoch arrives at the family's new prefabricated home on the Excalibur Estate in Catford on his birthday, 15th October 1945, after three and a half years in Japanese captivity. He had nearly died of cholera in Singapore and for 18 months wife Rosina had no idea whether he was alive or dead. Apparently there was nothing staged about this photograph by Harry Todd as Rosina and son John, who is finally seeing the father that he has hero-worshipped from afar, are almost airborne with joy as they charge down the garden path to greet him.
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." -- Marcus Garvey
Good day everyone!
Haile Selassie led the ancient Kingdom of Ethiopia during the tumultuous 20th century, which saw two global conflicts. The country was viewed as a war-pawn, a roadblock to European control, and a land of promise for those of African descent. Revered by some as a literal manifestation of God on earth and reviled by others as a political tyrant whose refusal to modernize his unique role led to his downfall, this unique individual has lessons for all of us. Named Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1936, he was subsequently called "The Father of Africa" by many respected leaders, including Nelson Mandela.
Check out historyunfurled.com to see the first entry of my new series, "Haile Selassie: The Last African Emperor." In this entry, we'll focus on some of the earlier influences in his life, namely that of his father, Ras Makonnen.
On June 10th 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died in the ancient city of Babylon surrounded by his top military leaders and closest companions. He was feverish for several days and only briefly drifted into consciousness during the days leading up to his death. Having no Macedonian heir, his generals pressed him about who he wished to succeed him. His terse response, “To the strongest” left the world’s largest empire vulnerable to chaos. After a brief period where power was shared between Perdiccas (head of the Companion cavalry) and Alexander’s half brother Philip Arrhidaeus, civil war broke out and the empire was split into four main power blocks: Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid (eastern empire), Pergamum (Asia Minor), and Macedon proper. This resulted in forty years of war known as “The Wars of the Diadochi” (Successors).
For more on Alexander the Great, please check out the series at HistoryUnfurled.com
Friends,
Due to my obsession with the details of stories, there’s an abundance of content that didn’t make it into the original series on Alexander The Great. Therefore, I’ve added a new addition to Accessible Alexander that includes some of the items that had to be left out of the original blogs. These details give some additional context to the world that Alexander lived and fought in.
Flotsam and Jetsam is the cargo that has been either deliberately removed from a ship to lighten the load, or has been washed ashore. This seems like an appropriate title for this addition to the story of the famous Macedonian.
The first installment of “Flotsam and Jetsam” will be an introduction to Macedonian warfare and the changes that Philip (Alexander's father) made to both the technology and structure of the army.
Siege towers, long-range crossbows, and several units dedicated solely to communication are all covered in this blog.
I hope you enjoy!
http://ow.ly/TMZ550F66h7
“What’s the secret of success? Right decisions. How do you make right decisions? Experience. How do you get experience? Wrong decisions.” – John Wayne
"Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave." -- Indira Gandhi
“We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, for though others may free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is our only ruler; sovereign." - Marcus Garvey
This text is from a Greek poet/comic from the 4th century B.C. named Eubulus. It's from a play that's often been referred to as "Dionysus" or "Semele." Dionysus was the Greek god of: wine, wine production, religious ecstasy, and madness. Semele was his human mother. Written approximately 2,400 years ago, it reveals insight into the Greek's familiar awareness of the impact of alcohol consumption. The observations seem pretty spot on for today.
DIONYSUS:
• “I mix three kraters (large goblets) only for those who are wise.
• One is for good health, which they drink first.
• The second is for love and pleasure.
• The third is for sleep, and when they have drunk it those who are wise wander homewards.
• The fourth is no longer ours but belongs to arrogance.
• The fifth leads to shouting.
• The sixth to a drunken revel.
• The seventh to black eyes.
• The eighth to a summons (the law).
• The ninth to bile (anger).
• The tenth to madness, in that it makes people throw things.”
On May 13, 1940 Winston Churchill gave his first address to the British Parliament, better known as his 'blood, sweat, toil, and tears' speech. However, I think how he ended it is far more inspiring. Talk about casting a vision that is inspiring, challenging, honest, hopeful and unifying.
"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, 'come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.'” - Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was 7 years old when this picture was taken in 1881. You be the judge on whether the image communicates aristocratic confidence or juvenile arrogance.
Regardless, he would grow up to live one of the most interesting lives in the British Empire when it was at its height while becoming one of the most respected figure of the last century.
“Churchill’s genius in 1940 was that he persuaded the British people that they could do something amazing. And then persuade them afterwards that they had done something amazing.” – Max Hastings
On May 1st 1941, Orson Welles' film "Citizen Kane" premiered in New York City. Many consider it to be the greatest film ever made.
Actor, Writer, Producer,and Director Orson Welles reads a script that he wrote for a project that he was working on many years later.
Enjoy the storytelling brilliance of this master at work.
Orson Welles Performs A Monologue About Noah's Ark | The Dick Cavett Show Orson Welles performs a reading from an untitled show in which he describes the story of Noah's Ark.Date aired - 7/27/1970 - Orson Welles ...