The Words of the Davies Family
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The Words of the Davies Family |
We live today in a world controlled by governments and big business, where people's thoughts and feelings are affected by propaganda and advertising; and truth is suppressed. Many young people despair of there being any solution -- any hope for the world. They seek to escape from evil, often into a fantasy World, where they are even more a prey to those very evils. What hope is there for an individual to things, even if he does have ideals in which he honestly believes?
Jesus taught that men must love one another and serve one another; that he who world be first must be last. This is as true today as it was 2.000 years ago. Whatever you give, you receive back in kind, and if you do everything with love and concern your efforts will bear fruit in any situation.
Charles Forts is a very successful English businessman, who, in 34 years has built a company which operates over 550 hotels and catering establishments. As recently as 1945 he had only nine milk bars, but his hard work and personal concern for his business has caused it to expand in an extraordinary way: between 1962 and 1969 the capital of the company multiplied 7 times. But he says "This is still a business that I control personally. If I were not exercising that personal control, someone else would have to d so as the ultimate authority". His concern has never flagged and he has always kept his eyes fixed on what he wants to achieve. He has no time for petty personal ambitions. "I have never been an ambitious man, have never minded if someone made coffee better than I lid". His respect for the abilities of others and willingness to allow them to mature does not come from a philosophical belief in humility but from his understanding that this is the best method of helping his business to grow.
His one desire being to go forward, to do better every day; to learn, and to try new methods. "My role is constantly changing. I have been learning all the time: I have read, gone to lectures, listened to people, employed consultants I have done everything possible to improve my knowledge of the business world and business methods. This, he says, has been a constant process.
He has learned much from his own experiences. His first big step was in 1949 when he purchased Rainbow Corner, off Piccadilly Circus, for £300.000. "We were," he says, "emotionally involved, and that was the beginning of our growth. The next year we bought the Criterion Hotel for £800.000. "We had to have courage. I am not sure that I would have had it on my own. With four or five people you can get together and very soon the whole operation is quite simple." He believes implicitly in team work and feels he has avoided making too many mistakes because of this belief.
Given these conditions of concern and team spirit, and with a knowledge of the facts of the challenge, he has found that having a set target, it was easy to reach it. Always, it is personal concern that is necessary. "When you begin to lose touch with the detail of the job, it is the first sight of a company going into decline".
Most important of all, however, is sense of urgency and the will to work. "Our work-day ended when the work was finished. I have said in this business there is no Sunday or Saturday or half-day, or week, or day, off. Sometimes I feel we don't work hard enough in Britain."
In the business of changing the world there is no holiday. The Principle, Charles Forte has learnt in his business life apply in other spheres of human activity. William James wrote in 1894, "If he keep faithfully busy each hour of the working day he may safely leave the result to itself. One day he will wake up to find himself one of the competent ones, of his generation, in whatever pursuit he may have singled out." This dictum is still true, as we observe in the life of Charles Forte. Concern for the world does not mean waving a banner protesting at the war in Vietnam, or mocking the capitalistic system, but shows itself in service and dedication frequently with tears, sweet and blood. If the dedication of one man can build such a large enterprise in such a short time, the dedication and sacrifice of many can change the world. By foregoing individual ambitions and working for the common good, a new world will be built in which men will see the manifestation of the love of God; and the love for God means true service and responsibility to everything. This is not something casual or occasional, but the result of being alert, active, dedicated and sacrificial. The new world will be built by individuals who see perfection in all they do and with everything they have. It means developing a perfect relationship with God and his creation,-mankind, the minerals for the earth, gold, money, animals, plants, food, our families and, last but not least, ourselves.
It is in the everyday moment, the kitchen, the factory, the office may be the place, and it is there that we can build a maturity of spirit, perfecting not only ourselves but our families, and all we do. To serve "in the shoes of a servant' is not easy, but it is the only way to perfection -- the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.