1st published in the Independent Reformer:

What do you mean? We are so frustrated, so tired, so broke, so confused! Boy life “haad out yah”. This is the cry of the people. The focus of our country is lining up, on the General Election to have a new government; even though it is claimed that we are eight (8) months away.

There seemed to be a lot of energy going into what we need to improve and what we want to see changed in the new leadership. General election is one area where all different ethnic groups and cultures and the poor and the rich all share a deep concern together.
The newspapers are packed with concerns of the direction our country will choose to take within 8 months. There is a good reason for this, because we will choose the leadership called Government Administration for the next 5 years and they will bring our society either up or down; more starvation or more prosperity; more crime or more tranquility; more war and blood or peace and happiness; more bondage and taxes or more freedom and better living. The bottom line is that good leaders will go to higher levels and bring the people to a higher level.

We are hitting a hot spot here. What is a higher level you may ask? Some people move into a better house a few years ago but for the first time in life they cannot meet the obligation because of high payments; others may credit groceries to make the payment and not loose the house. The question is. Is that a higher level? Or just a different situation? The question is where have we changed and for what reason. Many things happened in 15 years for people to look at and examine it very closely and carefully.
The people of Belize have learned all about there political leaders and are still learning. The media is busy to bring out all the facts and truth to the public. They hold a very sensitive and important position. There seems to be a big breach of trust between the political leaders and the people of the country that have led us the last 15 years. Why is that you may ask. We need 100 pages to begin to describe what has happened but let’s give an example.

If you were a woman and your husband is the leader of the house one day you came home and your beloved husband had sold your vehicle without your consent but says, “do not worry honey I will buy you a better one later”. The following week you realize that he also sold your stove and he tells you, “do not worry honey we will just go to the restaurant and eat”. The next week he sold your dressing shoes and he says “one pair is enough. Just trust me”. So you are waiting for the better time to come. Then one day he announces “we are short of money”. This means that those things that were promised are not coming. Now he is saying “honey, why don’t you take one more job while I make a loan at the bank. This will help me to get approval and later to pay the loan”. Every time you feel bad about where things are going, you ask for an update or an audited account. He avoids the issue. Now make your own estimate. How long will this partnership operate? For him to spend your money is not the worse part, doing things without your consent as a partner is the most sensitive part. It will not take long until she would tell her husband “you are too old for me or you are not capable to take care of the house” especially when she learns that the bank is taking the house against the loan. You may say these things will never happen to us! But our problem is that these things are occurring to us already and we act as if it’s not real or cannot be so.
Normally warning comes before the accident. There is also a saying. Who don’t want to hear must feel it. But that is a hard language but so true. We should avoid that as far as is in our power. In kriol there is a saying “dat dah notin nice”. We come back to word truth. People will perish for the lack of knowledge, meaning before we know where we are, we cannot come out of the situation if we are sunk into.

Here is a word to the leaders. People do what people see. There are those that will say do what I say but not do what I do, but that is not the way it works.

There is a great truth about people they will not forget how you made them feel. They may forget what you said and even what you did.

People will reflect the attitude of the leader. What have got most leaders out of office in our history is that they may understand politics and their job but not the people. To their surprise when they thought that they lead well and wanted a praise from the people they got the opposite and were called gangsters, gamblers, people with no self respect. Some of them have also learned to stay quiet for several years and the people voted them back in and the same scenario happen all over under a different form.
 
There are 4 descriptions below about knowledge and mentality of people. We tend to think we are right and judging our selves by our good intentions before we run a check on ourselves. Here is a check list to think through.

1. He that does not know that he doesn’t know is a fool. Don’t follow him. They say they sometimes show up in the mirror.
2. He that knows that he doesn’t know is a child, teach him.
3. He that knows but doesn’t know that he knows is asleep. Wake him up. He has potential.
4. He that knows and knows that he knows is wise. Follow him.

In the case of political leaders, what do we need to know, you may ask?

This brings us point square to principles, character and attitude. This is what we need to know about our political leaders. This is a part of the top secrets. We have seen how some have tried to become political leaders and gaining the trust of the people they spend all their time and money which is a tremendous sacrifice. In some cases they have lost their house, wife and children in their ambition and race for power and position. When they do not achieve the position they are very hurt especially if one of their own caused them to loose. They tried to get the trust of the people through money, material things and speeches which work for a while to get their identity. Then it all vanishes.

Again here is another top secret. If you see a leader gain some trust of the people and have the ability but if he does not carefully study leadership principles, good character and right attitude he will loose everything he works so hard for. On the other side if he embraces leadership principles, character and attitude he will get all the trust he wants from the people for free and he can never loose.

How can a man get to where he can never loose? Tell me about that top secret. Yes because even if he looses a convention or even an election he remains with his qualities. The world is short of this kind of leaders! It will not be long when the public will come and look for this person to help them and to lead them. There is nothing so great in this life as to lead by example. It satisfies the leader and pleases the followers and the other side of the coin there is nothing so conniving and hurtful as leadership by force and manipulation.

Here is a broad picture to lead you into more top secrets.
Here are 7 ways people come to power: which we need to know

1. By force: That is when people have no choice but to accept what comes there way.
2. Intimidation: That is when people are pushed to the point where they can do nothing to change to a better situation.
3. Manipulation: When people are coerced. When people are led to believe but then get disappointed.
4. Exchange: When people trade for something they think is better or just to get rid of what they have now to try something different.
5. Persuasion: When people are convinced by information and education.
6. Motivation: When people act willingly to improve themselves by the help and encouragement of their leaders.
7. Honor: When people are honored by their leader and they respond accordingly.

Which one of this leadership character or attitude will you choose in the next election to lead us for the next 5 years? May we never come to where we have to learn only by circumstances and consequences! Belizeans are above that and we shall keep searching for the top secrets until we live above bondage and not beneath it.
Keep this in mind when you think about your short life on earth and choosing a leader for your earthly affairs. Think which one will help you reach your goals.

Here are some pointers:
1. Remind yourself of what you know to do and do it good.
2. Check yourself on what do I feel to do in life.
3. Ask yourself what I actually want to do.
4. Try to make up your mind what you are going to do in life.
5. Really think of this one. What is it that you are doing right now that you will feel good about in time to come?

Other top secrets are to be continued later...