Why did you write VerAegis?
My name is James M. Haden, author of VerAegis—the Legacy Series. Most call me Jim. Since I endeavored to become a writer, my friends, relatives, and even new acquaintances have inquired, “Why did you write VerAegis, and how did your ideas develop?” I pondered these questions. I recalled the balance in my life and the lives of others. Then I formulated my response, and not unlike many of you, I answered with questions of my own.
Have you ever known….?
The Bull In a China Shop
Have you ever known someone who is an expert in their field, perhaps performing (technically) heads and shoulders above others and witnessed that early success bolsters these expert’s already burgeoning confidence and subsequently increase expectations of peers and superiors alike? I have. I’ve known many individual contributors, scientists, engineers, coaches, supervisors, and executives who are technically outstanding in their field of expertise.
Often, though, I have witnessed these experts respond to increased pressure with increased fervor and unfortunately with decreased consideration for those whom they feel are beneath their level of expertise (which equates to most of the world)! They become so focused on achievement that relationships suffer. As relationships suffer, these experts often become ill-spirited and move more firmly into the role of a ‘bull in a china shop’ leaving ‘dead’ bodies in their wake whenever they tackle a new project or team. In fact, they often become so out of balance that even their contribution, the one thing they grow to care about the most, suffers because, fundamentally, the ends do not justify the means. Side note: I think bulls get a bum rap here (See Myth Busters-A Bull in a China Shop)!
The Considerate Doormat
I also ask if they’ve ever known anyone who cannot say “No” to any request…someone who loves so much to help others that they spread themselves too thin until they can no longer keep up with commitments—and yet…they still agree to help any and all who seek their assistance? I have. I’ve known many of these ‘people pleasers’ who tend to be very considerate of others, but often lack the personal fortitude to stand up for their own needs.
The Hot and Cold Running Water
Perhaps you’ve known someone who tends to agree with you, their supervisor, the team du jour, then commits to specific plans and actions only to pursue their own personal agenda as if no agreement was ever reached? I have.
The VerAegis Achiever
Finally, have you even known anyone who genuinely seemed happy and appeared to have it all together, despite living in the same world, with the same pressures and with the same tragedies as the rest of us…and sometimes in even worse conditions? I have.
Those who are habitually successful achieve an uncommon balance in life!
It is because “I have” that I wrote VerAegis.
As I contemplated my life and the lives of many friends, colleagues, family members, the poor and down-trodden and even the lives of the ‘Rich and Famous,’ I realized there is a unique gift shared by those who seem to ‘have it all together.’ Despite their circumstances, those who lead perpetually fulfilled lives have adopted and maintained an uncommon balance. It seems as though they are willing to do what others are not. Brave and courageous, yet considerate, they are VerAegis.
These VerAegis people sincerely seek to understand without fear that understanding will be misconstrued as agreement. They are willing and able to speak to others in ways that make most of us uncomfortable. Most believe in a force much greater than themselves. They are unique. Thus, I was compelled to write about their unique gift and what it takes for each of us to become like them; to become VerAegis, ourselves.
Make it Common-Be Courageously Considerate
Simply stated we need to be aware of and embrace this unique balance. We need to learn to do that which is not familiar and not routine. We need to live outside our comfort zone–to balance our courage with consideration…an uncommon act, but a common theme that runs through each of the three books in this series. By achieving this balance, we reprogram our thought processes, develop more fulfilling relationships, and refocus our motivation, realizing “It’s not about me!” Ultimately, we alter our contributions to be more meaningful to others as well as to ourselves. In the end, we reprogram our paradigm—how we view the world and how we view ourselves—to a manifest healthy rather than ill-spirits.
Live beyond Your Comfort Zone
Becoming VerAegis is not easy. It is not a quick fix. But it is a worthwhile and potentially life changing endeavor. This project began with an idea and the desire to write. It soon morphed into a labor of love fueled by personal insights which escalated my path of introspection, self-awareness, self-improvement, and spiritual growth. I pushed beyond my comfort zone and became hopeful that the concepts weaved together in this series will be as helpful to others as they have been to me. And that is why I wrote VerAegis.
Recent Comments