In 1776, America conducted a revolutionary experiment. The Founding Fathers of America set forth an ambitious vision. When monarchies were the choice form of governance, they set out to prove that a government could be run “of the people, for the people and by the people”.

However, the experiment took more than just inspired individuals proposing a vision; it took men and women of character whose careful conduct brought the vision to life. This is the importance of precedents.

Dr. Moon recently commented, “If there were no George Washingtons, Thomas Jeffersons, and Madisons, if there were no Abraham Lincolns, the American experiment would have failed many times over.”

These presidents defined and upheld the moral and ethical principles necessary for America’s growth. In his farewell address, George Washington, first President of the United States acknowledged the critical importance of morality for the longevity of the nation, “Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”

Fondly referred to as the father of his nation, Washington set the course of the nation in many ways.

Monarchy or Republic

It could be said that Washington’s firm commitment to the republican experiment secured America’s future as a republic and not a monarchy.

In the early discussions of American independence there was a significant opinion that American should become a monarchy. Lewis Nicola, one of Washington’s officers, wrote to Washington in 1782, suggesting that Washington become King of the United States. Washington firmly reprimanded Nicola. “Banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or anyone else, a sentiment of the like nature.”

From the beginning Washington shied away from position, only stepping up to fulfill his duty as a public servant. He accepted the Presidency with humble deference to the “public summons” of the people and the will of the “Almighty being”.

He declined titles such as “Your Excellency” and “Sir” and took the simple title “Mr. President”.  In his inaugural address, Washington even refused a salary, which he later accepted after being advised that a salary would dispel the image that only wealthy, self-supporting individuals could run for office.

Washington agreed to a second term only after he was convinced that he could help quell the partisan rift that threatened the fledgling nation. After serving a second time, he gracefully retired, even amidst calls for a third term.

His selfless service to the public can still inform public servants today.

Liberty of Conscience

On several occasions, Washington expressed that, “…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” For Washington, religion was the foundation for virtue, a critical ingredient to making the republic function. He also believed that most religions shared fundamental principles. To this end, he protected liberty of conscience and freedom of religious practice.

Shortly after his first election, George Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island that has become a timeless affirmation of the United States’ commitment to religious freedom. “The Government of the United States, “ he wrote, “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens…” In his farewell address he urged Americans to recognize and be proud their common national identity, describing religious, cultural and political disparities as “slight shades of difference”.

Religious freedom is significant achievement of the United States of America.

Conclusion

Today, Washington ranks among the three most respected presidents. (89% view him favorably according to public policy polls.)

His precedents gave substance to the principles and values that formed the vision of the American experiment–that “all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights” and a government is called to protect and secure these rights.

Washington was keenly aware of the impact of his actions on future Americans. He said, “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” (Pennsylvania in 1789)

Any worthwhile vision needs men and women of character who set precedents that bring it to life.

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GPF supports efforts to strengthen families as one of its mission pillars. The family is the building-block of society. The love for one’s immediate family: brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, can expand to embrace society and ultimately the world. In the family, personalized lessons teach valuable skills like communication and central values like empathy, responsibility and honesty, all indispensable qualities of leadership.

GPF supports efforts to strengthen families as one of its central pillars. The family is the building-block of society. The love for one’s immediate family: brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, can expand to embrace society and ultimately the world. In the family, personalized lessons teach valuable skills like communication and central values like empathy, responsibility and honesty, all indispensable qualities of leadership.

GPF supports efforts to strengthen families as one of its central pillars. The family is the building-block of society. The love for one’s immediate family: brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, can expand to embrace society and ultimately the world. In the family, personalized lessons teach valuable skills like communication and central values like empathy, responsibility and honesty, all indispensable qualities of leadership.

http://storify.com/onefamily_God/family-the-first-school-of-leadership-and-characte

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The following is an abridged expert from the address given to Ambassador for Peace on August, 11, 2012 in Seoul, Korea.

Yang Hak Seon won Gold in Gymnastic men’s vaulting. He is known for his signature move, “The Yang,” which to date, only he can perform.
Credits to Flickr, KOREA.NET 

The 2012 Olympics have recently come to a close. There, the Korean people showed their true character to the world. Although this is a nation of less than 50 million, it ranked fifth among all the gold medalist nations in the world—surpassing nations that have populations twice or even three times the size of this Korean republic.

So it’s not only the industry, such as Samsung and Hyundai that carry the Korean brand to the international community. It is not only the culture, the K-pop culture that is influencing many young people not only in Asia but also in the West. It is the Korean character that was exhibited at the highest level of athletic endeavor. This is where the spirit of the Korean people showed itself to the international community. It was really poignant.

• The gold medalist in wrestling, whose one eye was swelled shut during his trials to win the Olympics games, upon winning that medal said, “If you work hard, Haneul (heaven) will know. I worked hard and I think Haneul recognized my efforts.”

• The Korean gymnast who was willing to put his neck out on the line with the possibility of total, utter failure, who developed a new move that surprised all the nations of the world. Korea, up until that time, never won a medal in gymnastics.  Yet, there was a young Korean, once again, who was willing to challenge and strive for excellence and received the gold medal.

• It was a Korean soccer team,who never won a medal, who had the audacity to dream, to strive, to achieve, to compete, on an international scale, without any leg-ups, that won a bronze medal, defying all expectations. They did something that most considered impossible. It was an exhibition of Korean character.
  

  South Korean Soccer team, dubbed the “Dream Team” claimed bronze in their final match with Japan in the London 2012 Olympics.Credits to Flickr, joncandy

   

The burden that a Korean athlete representing this nation carries is a heavy one. Yet, this is a time in which they can be proud as a nation and proud in their character that has been exhibited to the world.

And what is that character?

•  It is a character of exceptionalism. Look at the number of gold medals that this small nation achieved, it is a character of exceptionalism. That means wanting to defy all the odds to accomplish something great, something remarkable, something that other people might think – other nations might think – is impossible, unachievable. It is married to their capacity to dream very big dreams.

• It is a nation of dreams. The Korean people have the audacity to dream the greatest dreams, and eventually, through their tenacity, through their dedication and devotion, they eventually bring that dream to its realization.

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Many lessons about leadership can be learned from horseback riding.

I have been riding horses since I was a young boy, and I continue to learn many profound lessons from horseback riding.

Recently I’ve had some time to ride horses with my children. Here are two lessons on leadership that we learned.

You can lie to yourself but you can’t lie to your horse. A horse can immediately sense your uncertainty and fear. To ride a horse the horse must acknowledges that you are in charge. A horse is an animal of hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds of solid muscle. The only reason why it would allow a 100-200 pound person to control it is if it recognizes your authority. But that certainty doesn’t come from physical size or force, it comes from your spirit. If the rider’s mind is unsettled, even simple exercise become major ordeals. Thus, it is important for a rider to know his mind and keep it stable. No matter how you pretend, your horse can see right through you. Your spirit influences how well you can ride. If a horse can’t respect you, if it can’t trust you, it will not allow you to lead.

There are no shortcuts to becoming a good rider. It takes patience and sincere investment into yourself and your relationship with your horse. To be a good rider, you have to genuinely care about your horse and be certain of yourself and the direction in which you are leading. Only then can you and the horse become one. It is the same with people. There are no shortcuts to leadership. You can pretend to lead, but in the end, only genuine people of character and vision can really move people’s hearts.

We should expose ourselves and our children to such first-hand, experiential learning opportunities with nature. These experiences teach not just our minds, but our body and soul the principles of the universe.

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Local and international volunteers come out to rebuild a village after a tsunami in Thailand.

Service is a core principle by which I live and a character  I teach my children. Expanding the culture of service is a personal mission of mine.

Service is not merely for service’s sake. It is not simply the act of doing good deeds. It is much more. It is a means to an end. The question is what is that end?

• First, service connects us to our intrinsic capacity to live altruistically. We  are spiritual beings that were designed to live for more than just ourselves. When we live by the spirit of service, we begin a transformation. Our hearts and minds are directed outward, to our families, our communities, our nations and our world. We become empowered to change hate to love, resentment to forgiveness, tragedy into opportunity.

• Second, it can change the global ethic. Through service, everyone becomes a catalyst for building connections and collectively generating solutions. The timeless ethic of serving others engages everyone, both foreign and local, in the process of building better and more sustainable families, communities and nations. This is how we will meet the needs of every person and secure a world of co-prosperity and peace.

Service is love in action. It the the way to peace.

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