searching for men of honor…

Recently, the (western press) headline news has been littered with stories of successful men behaving despicably – dishonourable.

Thinking about it –  over the past 20 years, the news is frequently full of stories of dishonour.

Word of honor…
Code of honor…
Man of honor… 

These expressions have become meaningless in our world today.
I am 40 years old … when I was in high school (in America) we had something called a “honor code.” 

At the beginning of each year, all students were required to sign a sort of contract with the school “guaranteeing” to be honourable. 

I am not saying all adhered to it, but this honor code meant something to most students. 

Back then — people didn’t cheat or steal because it was “dishonourable.” 

Now a days…it seems (for most people) behaving dishonourably, i.e. cheating and stealing has become part of the game of life.

The only thing which seems to prevent people from cheating or stealing is the fear of getting caught.

There is no fear of God, nor the fear of looking “dishonourable” – just the fear of getting caught.

Stealing instead of earning, expecting instead of deserving…

I will end this blog with a cool story: 

Last year, Fabien and I were in Libya … we had dinner at 5 star hotel across the street from Ghadafi’s compound … although  it was 11pm and we had no idea where we were in Tripoli, we decided to walk back to our hotel – after a long walk, we came across a group of friendly, Libyan men who were sitting together at a bus stop talking.

We stopped and chatted with them, and took a picture.

We asked which way to go to get back to our hotel, and they told us it was too far too walk. 

Two of the men offered to drive us back to our hotel – as it was 12:30 am we happily agreed.

The men obviously had little money – and the driver’s car was old and broken down. 
Fabien and I didn’t think twice as we got into the car; we didn’t feel in danger at all.

When we arrived to our hotel, I handed the driver a 20 euro bill and thanked him for the ride.

Both the men turned the money down – and the driver said “no, it was our honor to drive you.” 

I left the money on his seat, shook the driver’s hand and walked into our hotel – but the man got out of his car, followed Fabien and I into the hotel and handed me back the 20 euro.

He refused the money – shook our hands again, and told us “it was my honor…”  he had a big smile as he got back into his car and the two men drove away. 

A remarkable story of men of honor.

I challenge the frequent readers of my blog to reflect – do you live a life as honourably as possible? 

Personally, my search for John Galt helps keep me focused on the straight and narrow.

My Libya trip – oct 2010:  http://7hn.11e.myftpupload.com/?p=3692