• admin
• February 20, 2021

Iceberg Principles

Attitude can be best illustrated using the picture of an iceberg. As we all know an iceberg has an exposed portion and a submerged portion. The exposed portion constitutes only 10% of the whole iceberg while the submerged portion 90% of it.  In the same, in our lives, there are things that we have that are so exposed to people. They are our talents, skills, and abilities. People get easily attracted to those things. But those things only constitute 10% of our life.  The invincible portions of our life are our nature, character, personality, attributes, quality, and attitude. But whether we accept it or not, whether we believe it or not they constitute 90% of our life. 

Glimpse of the Creation

When God created man He said, “Let Us make man in our image and likeness”.  Image has something to do with our nature, attributes, quality, personality, character. It speaks to the totality of our BEING. On the other hand, likeness has something to do with our function such as abilities, talents and skills. It speaks the totality of our DOING. The being and doing of God was upon the created man.

Realizing this, we will conclude our doing merely constitute the 10% while our being constitute the 90%. Remember, our inner world creates our outer world.  Our being is a dominant factor for our doing to really come out at its best in the open. 

Titanic Principle

Let’s take a closer look at this magnificent ship.  Even the maker of this came to a point of conviction that even God cannot cause this ship sink. But one tragedy happened. Titanic sunk after it bumped a certain iceberg. If we will try to have a microscopic scrutiny of this tragedy many came to a conclusion that the Titanic sunk not because of the exposed portion but of its submerged part lying beneath the cold ocean. It’s the submerged and not exposed portion of the iceberg that caused its sinking! In the same way, in our personal lives it’s out being not our doing that will cause us to sink!

Many great athletes who received the applause of many in their glory days failed to guard their being and was bedazzled by the glory their doing.  As if they will be enthroned and be exalted on their pedestal forever. They rest on their laurels and they savor the praises of men and drowned themselves in the lure money. Until one day, they were gone like a vapor. 

Poor Mike Tyson

Let me give you a simple illustration of this. Mike Tyson in his glory days was so superior in the area of boxing. I got a CD of some of his fights and had the opportunity to watch all of them.  Many opponents of Tyson got knocked out just in the first round because of the superiority of his boxing skill.  One day, his superior boxing skill was tested versus a God-fearing boxer. He had to meet Evander Holyfield, a boxer who came to know God and was converted.  On the television, Mike gave his best practice to secure his superiority over his opponent. Holyfield worships his God in the dug-out. He put on headphone and started to play a worship song entitled, Shout to the Lord. On his way going to the ring, Holyfield was so relaxed as if he knew already the source of his strength and that is God.  Mike Tyson being the champion arrived with a dramatic entrance. Some people yelled in jubilation.  The crowd roared and some booed their less favored opponent. On the fight night, the tradition shifted, Tyson who normally knock his opponent down every first-round got irritated with Holyfield who sucked his patience by clinging to him in every round.  Tyson being is not ready for this scenario but Holyfield prepared his being prior to his fight.  He knew that Mike Tyson is a no ordinary boxer. He was feared for his boxing dominance.  Tyson caught by so much irritation was found biting the ear of Evander Holyfield and spew it to the ground. It is really a great test of Holyfield’s character and patience. The crowd roared in protest to those dirty tricks done by the champion. He did not just offend the crowd roaring and booing him but those millions of people watching over the television that very moment.  And as we all know, Holyfield who maintained his composure and patience eventually emerged a winner of that bout.