The Well of Souls (The Final Arbiter of Destiny) - Chapter 5: The People of Light
The land was separated into many territories. One was named Prayer, located in the north, which is where Haley, one of its leaders, was from. It was peaceful, where most of its inhabitants contributed to their society and they were well organized. Those that didn’t contribute were on their own, content with less and the giving of others. Those who were incapable of contributing or providing for themselves were well provided for by generous hearts of which there was abundance. Prayer was a fisherman’s land, with plenty of bread, wine, and fresh fish. They thrived on the benefits of the sea and their manicured vineyards and crop fields. Their architecture was mostly stone and clay, with little heavy timber, as logs were scarce. The people were poised with a strong desire for conviction and freedom. The citizens were productive and naturally unassuming people. The culture in Prayer was one that was naturally cooperative. Their cooperation and productivity formed the basis of their society, economy, and heritage.
Haley was not only a leader in the community, but also a reverend. He spoke to the people of conviction in The Struggle. He told them The Struggle is natural and divine. Through The Struggle and triumph, one manifests the gifts one has within and finds one’s identity that stands without reservation in the light. This principle was the foundation of their faith, life, and culture. Their whole system of government was centered on it. There was also complete tolerance for those who didn’t subscribe to the faith. There was no proselytizing, as the fundamental basis of their beliefs was freedom and on that they were united. People didn’t succumb to proselytizing anyway, as it was a person’s acts that had the greatest influence.
Prayer’s culture was one that flourished around a government based on well-founded society norms that promoted the greatest freedom for all. But, their culture was to believe in freedom above all as the fundamental principle that united them, creating a great sense of tolerance for those who expressed their freedoms outside the society norms. The people gathered at the Altar to pay tribute to one another and their common bond of freedom. The Altar was a venerable place of the people that represented an offering that limited each one’s individualism, and subordinated it to a greater principle of freedom for all, to create a common union. The Altar represented this sacrifice, principle, and union requiring the respect of the rights of others.
The people gathered at the Altar, along with their neighbors, the People of Diligence, to express a gesture of friendship with one another. There a bounty of food was spread to feed whole villages as a tribute of their union. Many of the people contributed and all were welcome. Haley rose to the podium and the people quieted to listen. His message was all inclusive to those who desired freedom. Only those opposed to words of freedom would be offended. He spoke of The Struggle, of virtue and pursuit of excellence. Compliments were given to all of those who were teachers to their students and journeyman to their apprentices that taught the younger generation of the principles of freedom. It was understood that an unperverted understanding of freedom was necessary to be passed on to future generations, to protect it.
He also said, “Collectively, we unionize on the principle of freedom, but it is not what we do collectively that creates greatness, it is our union on and conviction of freedom for all that provides the soil for greatness. Greatness manifests itself in what we do individually. The pursuit of excellence in you will naturally produce benefits for all. You do best for your neighbor when you do best for you and make the right choices in your own lives. When you assist your neighbors too much, you rob them of the opportunity to achieve greatness. Greatness isn’t only achieved in great inventions and artwork, but also in the beauty in overcoming. It doesn’t matter how affluent or poor, it is the victory that has the beauty arising out of each one of you. We walk this land throughout our days, but in the scheme of our evolution, or however you perceive it, affluent versus poor, it is so insignificant that there is no difference. You are vessels. Fill yourselves up with that you choose to live with, not that you surrender to. Remember, The Struggle is yours alone, and to your neighbors your triumph is their admiration and respect. The greatest gift one can give to another is to pursue one’s greatness within.”
The people respected Haley for his leadership role in the community. However, that role didn’t entitle him to any special privileges or unearned respect. He was treated as anyone else would commonly be treated. Haley led as one of the people, not as above the people. Leadership or public service roles were not seen by the community as lofty or anything special, but just roles of many, contributing in a community. The people believed that each of the citizens gravitates to their passions, and from there their talents are uncovered, and greatness occurs.
Another territory in the North was where Hunter, one of its leaders, was from. The people there were hard workers and very productive. They lived in the forest and mountain areas. Their houses were made of logs and fresh lumber, of which they had more than enough. Fresh meat was also readily available as the people were excellent hunters. Leather goods and furs were the makeup of the citizens’ clothing, and along with lumber, much of their means of commerce. Work was a natural part of their culture. They all worked very hard and personally took great pride in their contribution to society. Many had extraordinary talents, some more than others, and the great ones of some created benefits for all.
The People of Diligence created an economic force. Their cooperation and productivity provided an abundance of goods and personal freedom. Because of their productivity and the great inventions of the talented, the people enjoyed comforts that no other society had ever achieved. The Land of Diligence and the Land of Prayer allied themselves together to create a greater union. They knew the good that came from their culture of cooperation and productivity. They also clearly understood the value of limited government controlled by the people and the freedom that prospered from it. They saw themselves as a beacon of light to the rest of the world, an industrial fortress, a place of enormous wealth and personal freedom.
Hunter was an industrialist. He owned a great lumber empire and tannery. He provided most of the lumber and leather goods in the lands. He was extremely wealthy and employed many people. Many of Hunter’s competitors got their start working for him. They earned an income and learned valuable skills while they worked for him. Seeing the great prosperity of Hunter was an inspiration to greatness themselves.