Whew, the holidays are officially over for me, and it is time to get back to work. Over the last few days, I spent my time with my family exploring new places and also just hanging out. In addition to that, I was racing against the clock to complete “A Higher Loyalty” by James Comey- mainly because the book wasn’t mine and I had to return it at the end of my vacation.
Although I had a number of things I wanted to get done, I figured most of them could wait and split up my time between blog plans, job hunting, enjoying my vacation and completing the book. I remember certain nights after completing a job application, I’d head to the room and target completing a chapter or 2 before bed. Thankfully, the Wi-Fi signal was poor in the rooms, so it was relatively easy to focus on completing the book.
Looking back now, I really hope to apply that mindset this year; i.e. to focus on what is most important to me in that season, do my best at it and move on to the next important thing.
Keys words- Focus and Priorities
Now, to the book:
In addition to learning a little more about the American judicial system and the FBI, what really struck me and was reiterated in the book was the idea of a higher loyalty. I’ll explain.
For Comey, his higher loyalty is to the justice system and upholding the rule of law. His loyalty was not to the President, the Attorney general, republicans or democrats. Over time, he exemplified that his loyalty was to the rule of law in several circumstances like the Martha Stewart case, holding and defending an unpopular opinion during his time under the Bush administration, prosecuting a pastor for obstruction of justice and lies. What really struck me here is the consistency in his reasoning for making the choices he made- his higher loyalty to the rule of law. Reading all those experiences, it was easy to understand his reasoning for reopening the Clinton investigation just a few days before the 2016 election and not succumbing to pressures from President Trump to drop investigations (considering his job was on the line). He had a higher loyalty.
In life, we will have to make judgement calls or take decisions but, we ought to remember to whom or to what our higher loyalty is to.
It is possible that in hindsight the decision might seem inappropriate but, take a decision based on what/ who your higher loyalty is to.
For me, my higher loyalty is to God and I hope that in all things that I do, regardless of whatever the circumstances might be, my actions are grounded in my values and most importantly, my loyalty to God.
Finally, one last thing I learnt was to be confident enough to be humble and comfortable in my own skin.
This brings me to my word/phrase for the month, CONFIDENCE. What areas of your life do you want to be confident in? What is one experience you can look back on and see you portrayed confidence in? What are practical ways you want to be confident this month?
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
That’s all from me for now, I hope you have enjoyed this post. If it is not too late to wish you a happy and prosperous new year, wishing you all the very best this year. Lest I forget, please subscribe so you do not miss a post and share with your friends as well.
Love,
AwahShasha 