Hello Genius!!
I started this newsletter with one goal in mind. That goal is to spark the genius in young creatives who are tired of where they are or feel stuck.
We all have been there at one point. These letters contain hacks and tricks for personal development and growth.
Today’s newsletter dives into an ancient tale and contrasts it with modern crises and draws life lessons.
This letter will take you about ~8 minutes to read, and you can check out the last article here
Today at a Glance:
World Update: Hamas vs Isreal.
Three Tales Of Betrayal
On the Battle of Life.
If you are reading this in October 2023, chances are you have heard of the crisis happening in the Middle East, particularly between Hamas and Israel. Many of us are hoping for that day when there will be a seizure of all forms of war in the Middle East.
As my secondary school teacher once said, the moment there is peace in the east, you can rest assured that the end of time has reached, and one should be expecting the return of Christ. He opined that was the only way peace in the region would be restored and sustained.
I need not bore you with the tales of what’s going on in the Middle East, however, it is imperative to understand that this battle is older than most of you reading this now. Of course, there have been periods of peace but another outburst of conflict quickly overtakes that.
That aside, conflict and in extreme cases, wars are part of human history and the future. Just as we read about the various wars of the past and even following ongoing wars, futurists believe that wars won’t end anytime soon and have gone as far as predicting the next kind of war will be fought with machines.
I leave you to ponder on the possibilities of that. One thing is sure, I am not looking forward to taking up arms to fight with machines; at least not in this life anyway.
We join other nationals in clamouring for a peaceful resolution of the situation regardless of divergent views on the subject. With that out of the way, let’s drive it into today’s letter.
It is not what you’re eating; it’s what is eating you.
I recently engaged in a conversation with a senior colleague, and our topic of discussion revolved around war and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
During our conversation, my colleague shared a profound insight that resonated with me: wars are not won solely through words but rather through intelligence, which includes the allocation of resources necessary for waging a successful war.
While some may perceive war as simply equipping oneself with armour and diving into the battle, a wise military strategist considers both internal and external factors.
A thorough examination of historical wars reveals that defeats often occurred when the enemy's ranks were infiltrated. This strategic advantage was achieved through the deployment of spies and secret agents, who were tasked with penetrating the opponent's ranks and gathering vital intelligence.
Interestingly, this covert operation was often riskier than actual combat, yet it proved essential because success in battles required insiders who possessed crucial information.
You may not have experienced physical warfare, but it's crucial to recognize that life itself is a constant battle. This battle encompasses a myriad of challenges, not limited to spiritual aspects or the devil's influence alone.
In this context, our adversaries include the complex systems of the world and individuals who actively work against our advancement.
For the purpose of this discussion, our adversaries are the worldly systems and individuals who are dedicated to impeding our progress in the complex game of life.
Similar to a skilled commander, it's essential to take control of your territory; otherwise, you risk losing the battle for personal growth and success.
You should check out The Gatekeeper Series, for a little background on the warfare that is going on.
Three stories are shared here to give context to the subject of enemies within.
The Trojan Horse
One of my favourite ways to glean life lessons is by indulging in movies and delving into history. They both possess a rich tapestry of wisdom that can profoundly shape our lives.
Unfortunately, many individuals become so captivated by the adrenaline-pumping moments within these narratives that they overlook the subtle yet invaluable lessons embedded within them. But, of course, I pass no judgment, as the primary purpose of movies is, after all, to entertain.
In a specific episode of The Gatekeepers, I delved into the epic movie, Troy. I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore the series and watch this cinematic masterpiece for yourself.
Within Troy, one particular event draws my attention—the fall of the impregnable city itself. Troy stood as a formidable fortress that had thwarted every Greek attempt to conquer it.
The secret to Troy's invincibility lay in its towering walls and the unmatched skill of its archers, who could send arrows flying at lightning speed without missing their mark. The Greeks, faced with the challenge of breaching these defences, ingeniously employed the Trojan Horse strategy.
They presented the city with a colossal wooden horse, concealing a cadre of soldiers within its belly. Unbeknownst to Troy, these soldiers emerged under the shroud of night, unbarred the city gates, and silently subdued any resistance that could have alerted the city.
In a remarkable turn of events, the mighty city of Troy fell, its downfall occurring under the cloak of darkness and before the first rays of dawn.
King David
When we think of someone who truly embodied the saying, "Your greatest enemy may come from your own household," David's name immediately springs to mind.
In his teenage years, he was considered an outcast within his own family. To the extent that his own father seemingly forgot about him when listing his sons. Adding to this, King Saul took advantage of David, making several attempts to end his life.
Ironically, David was no stranger to the palace, having practically grown up under Saul's roof, yet Saul remained intent on his demise.
One might have expected the enmity to end with Saul's death. However, his demise and David's ascension only set the stage for more battles. David faced numerous challenges in his lifetime, so much so that God deemed him unfit to build a temple.
Despite David's triumphs in countless battles, there remained one battle he could never win—the betrayal of friends and family. From the tone of this psalm, it's evident that he felt this betrayal more deeply than any physical battle he ever fought.
I was betrayed by my friend, though I lived in peace with him. While he was stretching out his hand of friendship, he was secretly breaking every promise he had ever made to me! His words were smooth and charming. Yet his heart was disloyal and full of hatred—his words soft as silk while all the time scheming my demise.
Psalms 55:21-22
This lesson resonates in our world today. To overcome the challenges presented by the systems of this world, we must acknowledge that the enemy within is sometimes disguised as a friend. Just because someone constantly shares laughter with you doesn't guarantee they have your best interests at heart.
A harsh reality we've learned from the many leaked scandals is that those who seek to harm you are often the people closest to you. The old saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" takes on new meaning—sometimes friends can be enemies in disguise. Vigilance is key.
Julius Caeser
If you are a person of faith you probably have heard the phrase “Give to God what belongs to God and to Caeser what belongs to Caeser”. It will interest you to know that Caeser was one man who was betrayed by friends.
He was considered a brilliant military leader who inspired great loyalty among his troops, Julius Caesar conquered Gaul, forced advancing Germanic tribes back after building a bridge over the Rhine River, and invaded Britain twice. In 49 BC, his army crossed the Rubicon River to take Rome and, following campaigns in Asia Minor, Africa and Spain, he governed the city as a dictator. He implemented a number of wide-ranging reforms, including the introduction of the Julian calendar.
Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC was a turning point in Roman history. Preceding it, Rome grappled with political turmoil and conflict, as power struggles raged between the Senate, aristocracy, and military leaders.
Caesar celebrated for his military conquests and became a dictator for life, a move that alarmed many in the Senate and aristocracy who perceived it as a threat to the traditional Republic.
There was widespread apprehension that Caesar was steering Rome toward monarchy, contravening the Republic's founding principles. Additionally, Caesar had personal enemies, further intensifying the political atmosphere.
The assassination itself was the outcome of a carefully planned conspiracy by Roman senators and prominent figures, including Brutus and Cassius. They believed removing Caesar would restore the traditional Republic. On the Ides of March (March 15, 44 BC), during a Senate session, Caesar was attacked by the conspirators, resulting in his death.
His famous last words, "Et tu, Brute?" symbolize his shock at the betrayal, as even his friend Brutus was among the conspirators. This event led to chaos and, ultimately, the fall of the Roman Republic, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire under figures like Augustus.
Dealing with humans requires wisdom. It is even more difficult when you face life as a warrior. There is no room to be slack. This in no way means you see everyone around you as an enemy.
There are good people out there but you must pay attention to understand what is not been said. It is normal to get carried away by the nice words. However, don’t let that be the determining factor.
Stay alert for there is an enemy at the gate!
Until I write to you again, don’t stop being a Genius!
James Iroro
The Genius Note
I hope you learned a thing or two from this letter.
I recommend you check out my latest book. In this guide, I shared eight core pillars you need to pay attention to if you desire to experience a different level in your life.
If done correctly, you set the pillar for a transformative life. Get your copy here.
Magic awaits you on the other side.
James Iroro
Inkgenius Consult