Column:
Strength is rooted in everyone
Published Sept. 11, 2009
"In conclusion, I would like to say to you, my dear friend, that God Almighty, in His wisdom, tests the faithful by allowing such calamities to happen. But He, in His mercy, also provides us with the will and determination, generated by faith, to enable us to transform such tragedies into great achievements, and crises that seem debilitating are transformed into opportunities for the advancement of humanity. I only hope that, with your cooperation and leadership, a new world will emerge out of the rubble of the World Trade Center; a world that is blessed by the virtues of freedom, peace, prosperity and harmony."
These were the closing words of Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud — then crown prince of Saudi Arabia, now king — in an open letter to former President George W. Bush on Sept. 10, 2002. The above paragraph followed condolences for the American people, condemnation of the terrorists, their actions and ideologies and a call for unity across "race, religion (and) language."
But those parts are not the focus of this column. Instead of focusing on the words, which are timely to this anniversary, I want to focus on the timeless wisdom in King Abdullah's closing remarks. He talks of the power people have to transform even the most trying circumstances into opportunities for advancement, a power to realize even in the midst of calamity and despair there is great hope for growth.
The relevance of these words extends beyond the international or intergovernmental level; perhaps they are most relevant people's lives. Looking back across my own life so far, some of my most difficult times have been the times of most growth. In the wake of loss, loneliness or utter confusion I have consistently found the development and strengthening of better elements in myself and the pruning of more trivial things.
With the gift of hindsight, I can now see what I thought to be my worst times were truly some of my most beneficial. And with this knowledge in hand, hopefully one can begin the view their own tests and trials as gifts, as opportunities for their own betterment.
These situations can be compared to thick soil under a torrent of rain. The heavy rain will erode and wash away some of the land, but the land that remains will soon bloom and burst with lush, green vegetation.
It is neither easy nor natural to think trouble would benefit us. Abdullah explains it well in stipulating we are given the mercy of being able to develop will and determination to help us weather the difficult times and to better ourselves in the midst of them.
Just as one with this will and determination might be likened to a thick soil, one lacking it will be like a mere coating of dust resting upon a rock. When the heavy rains come, the dust will be washed away and no vegetation will grow there.
Although most of Abdullah's letter to Bush will become a mere historical document as time goes on, the closing quote will continue to be an inspiration and guidance for us all. These words encapsulate a wisdom that will outlast any temporary circumstance. And they provide a hope that we will not only outlast difficulties, but advance from them grateful for the tests and benefits they enabled.
