Today is June 27 and the Navigate the Chaos question to consider is “How often do you allow yourself to be vulnerable?”
On March 15, 1783, George Washington's Continental Army officers gathered in Newburgh, New York. This was a perilous moment for the fledgling American republic as the officers met to discuss grievances and consider a possible insurrection against Congress.
They were angry over the failure of Congress to honor its promises regarding salary, bounties and life pensions.
The officers had heard from Philadelphia that the American government was going broke and that they might not be compensated at all. To help quell the potential rebellion Washington showed up unannounced.
In the middle of reading his speech Washington reached into his coat pocket and took out a pair of reading glasses and said "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country."
In that single moment of sheer vulnerability, Washington's men were deeply moved, even shamed, and many were quickly in tears, now looking with great affection at this aging man who had led them through so much.
Washington read the remainder of the letter, then left without saying another word, realizing their sentiments.
His officers then cast a unanimous vote, essentially agreeing to the rule of Congress. Thus, the civilian government was preserved and the experiment of democracy in America continued.
Author C.S. Lewis wrote “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
Washington allowed himself to be vulnerable. Do you?