Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater

Let me share with you something I encountered this morning. I received a message shared by a former colleague of mine in a Whatsapp group I am in.  His message went as follows:

"Rich Dad, Poor Dad now a bankrupt dad: Best-selling author files for corporate bankruptcy after ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2215642/Rich-Dad-Poor-Dad-bankrupt-dad-Best-selling-author-files-corporate-bankruptcy-losing-24m-judgement.html?ito=whatsapp_share_mobile-top"

A good friend of mine (who happens to be the Administrator of the Whatsapp group) responded shortly there after with:

That does not mean his teachings/philosophy that has helped so many people become successful does not work, eh?

The reply to this was: "will U stil support or condone any lecturer who plagarizes the work of others? I won't."

And at 8:30 AM while I was still enjoying my Saturday breakfast, I had to ask the question, was that why he filed for bankruptcy? And if not, was this not an unfair comparison?   To which, the reply was:

Syl,
a. I am using an analogy.
b. Kiyosaki used the Annex Learning system to secure speaking assignments n did not compensate d owner. It is obvious the intention to deceive existed.
c. In my opinion, a person's integrity is far more imp than who he hs bcome. The implication on others far exceeds his/her indiscretion.

I am by no means a fan of Kiyosaki. In fact, I've never even read his book Rich Dad Poor Dad tho I know of it.  But then I also have nothing against him either. I guess the book which deals with how to become "successful" by becoming rich wasn't something that was fascinating to me - not quite my cup of tea type reading material I suppose. So I wasn't defending the man - that's for sure.

But I suppose it did peak my interest because it touched on something I've been thinking about lately. Well actually, for several months now.  As you all know, I AM a fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer and had recently read his book I Can See Clearly Now. Before this, I've never read any of his books - just extracts from among the 41 books to his name.  I've followed him mainly through the video recordings he was involved with for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service in the US) of which he was a big supporter.

Anyway, in the case of Dr. Dyer, a very close friend of mine had posted the question to me (when we heard of Dr. Dyer's passing sometime last year) that "if even a master like him could die this way, what hope is there for us?"  Many believe Wayne's passing was related to his battle with leukemia although no one knows for sure.  At least I don't know because when he died, the statement released from his family simply said he had passed away peacefully in the night. But anyway, my answer to my friend was "even if he did die of cancer, it doesn't mean he failed or that all he has been saying is wrong."  I reminded my friend then to re-read one of my favorite books (by Richard Bach) entitled "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah." In that book, Richard's "master," Donald Shimoda, chose to die by way of a gun shot. I won't go into the whole detail of that scenario. I am sure you can pick that book up and read it if you are so inclined.

Back to my story with Wayne - since then a number of other people have also expressed to me that "he is such a fake;" "all those preaching - and he died of cancer;" "so - none of what he said was true;" "if he was so aligned with the Source, couldn't he have healed himself?" And on and on.  As often the case, I admit - I don't have all the answers. In fact, I've wondered along some of those lines myself - choosing ultimately that there must be a reason why he died the "way" he died at the age of 75. Mind you, we are still proceeding with the notion that he died from his battle with cancer when that has not been established as a fact. But even if it is true, does that invalidate his life's work?  I keep in mind the impact of his work - through all the books he has written, the many lectures and presentations he has made, the numerous PBS programmes he developed raising over $250 million for PBS.  Are these all to be thrown out as being worthless - worse yet, to be deemed a fraud?

I think not. Certainly not my place to judge him as an individual - good or bad, fraud or not - His work has touched the lives of millions and brought peace and comfort to so many. These cannot be discounted as nothing.  As he was so fond of saying - there is a Divine force that moves us and directs our actions. There is no coincidence - everything unfolds as they should within a much greater plan. And although there are many times we cannot see the purpose of that unfolding, there is a Divine reason behind it. Of that, he had no doubt.  I share the same.

So it was - this morning's message, I suppose, was in a way to make me come to some clearer conclusion about this.  In very similar fashion, is Kiyosaki's work to be thrown out because of his decision (alleged) to "cheat" Bill Zanker, founder of Learning Annex? As I pondered this - and wanting to find out more about this man, Robert Kiyosaki - I did a little bit of digging. What I really want to share here is one of those articles I came across.  I think the writer of that article put it in such a beautiful way - I can only wish I could articulate half as beautifully as he (or she) did.  The article can be found at: http://moneyminiblog.com/investing/robert-kiyosaki-fraud/

The best part of the article, I thought, was:

"I think it’s important to know the background and a few things about the people we listen to, but ultimately, Robert does practice what he preaches for the most part.  Sure, he may not be 100% legitimate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from him.  You can learn from anyone.  Take the good with the bad.  Eat the fish and spit out the bones.  However you want to word it, take knowledge away from everything.  You should be reading his books for wealth-building information, not moral guidance."

Let's pause before we judge. Let's do what we can to draw lessons from all the events in our lives.  Everything happens for a reason. Even in the "bad", we will be able to find God's hand at work.  Or as my good friend said, "Let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater."

"The mark of [our] ignorance is the depth of [our] belief in injustice and tragedy. What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." (Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah)

Shalom,

Syl