Dubai bling is recognised the world over. As today begins, I look out over the golf course and towards Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach area. It is easy to imagine the lifestyle that has drawn so many to this city. Newspaper reports speak to fancy housing, new developments, and the opportunity to spend. I know many who have been drawn into the trap of trying to keep up with the perception of their neighbours. The danger and its impact can touch anyone’s life.
The most satisfying elements in my life involve others, not things. The laugh of a child. The smile of someone you love. A relationship that is always present when one needs it to be. In the present and over time, these are the priceless elements of life. In every case, bling has no role to play. It is easy to forget and find oneself caught, especially on the edges of indulgence. I listen to a writer’s cautionary words and consider the choices ahead; “Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite.” (Hebrews 12.16)
In moments of need, it does matter what one drives or wears. As I listen to Life’s whisper, I imagine a child’s nightmare in the darkness of the night. The comforting embrace of a mother, the soother words of a father, do what money, power, and status cannot. It is too easy to throw money at the problems in our lives. I try to shift the response to others, knowing I hear my name linked to the cry for help. I dream of a world where inclusion, access, and affordability are the priorities of our lives – for ourselves and others. They can shape our purpose in business and commerce. Each can define the framework for our response to the needs of others.
The details of today’s horizon have yet to be written. It is my opportunity to make a difference, starting with myself and everything within. Every step is an opportunity. Every challenge is an invitation. My mission and challenge are clear.
