What is the greatest thing a government can do or be known for having accomplished or tried? Throughout history, we have had examples of various leaderships that have left an indelible print on the psyche and coloured literature since antiquity.

From the despotic, cruel and brutal regimes to leadership that has inspired thoughts of freedom, creativity and even the love of humanity. It would, therefore, be reasonable to suggest that the high road for leadership is the kind that is inclined towards liberation and which lifts up the poor, sets the captives free and encourages love and the fraternity of all.

Observably, even biblical narratives are filled with stories and allegories about unjust rulers and betrayals within family dynasties, always depicting at the end how truthfulness, innocence and humility are victorious over tyranny. Indeed the credos within the American political rhetoric are full of that sort of purposefulness of the mission depicting itself as a nation committed to liberating man from the tyranny of himself and others.

Power can be a huge illusion. Persons disengaged from, or ignorant of, the higher understanding of how the universal order works can become deluded by momentary power and for political expediency commit to what they deem as petty tyranny or momentary transgression because they have the unchecked ability to do it and to seemingly get away with it.

We may be familiar with the story of Joseph being put in the well by his envious brothers, who later faced a famine and the very one whom they put in the well was in charge of the warehouse filled with goods. The story is in reality just a lesson about karma and how it works.

The secret in life always lies in its opposite. One of the tragedies is that many of the venerable souls whom we admire, rather than being rewarded for their contributions and sacrifices for humanity, met with horrible deaths.

We can begin with Socrates, who was put to death at the hands of his peers.

Jesus was crucified, many of his disciples died for their beliefs. St Paul and Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, were martyred.

Abraham Lincoln and the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr were assassinated — the list is long. Yet who remembers the killers or oppressors?

The names of the venerated souls live on and will continue to live on as long as there is a humanity, but the oppressor’s name buried with time never gets the equivalent celebration.

The moment from an illusion of temporary power is all they got. It is wisdom to celebrate victory with humility and treasure pain, adversity or loss as valuable lessons rather than defeat. Yes, when we are victorious it is better to get down on our knees rather than to beat the chest — it’s a sign of wisdom to do so.

While we are yet young in our opportunity, it is good to set the goal of aiming to achieve the higher good. We should take nothing and no one for granted, or as being insignificant. If we make promises we need to keep them.

There is no magic to destiny; we make our destiny as we live and we will be judged not how we want to be judged but rather by comparison with those with similar roles of power.

If people have become accustomed to mistreatment, they will recognise mistreatment from whomever and whenever they experience it, and will always compare them to how their previous rulers behaved.

Today is the time to set a new standard for leadership and it is possible, certainly achievable if we are willing. One thing we cannot stop is time; our legacy is being created now with every second we live as we mint an irrevocable testimony, but we have the choice to decide what it will be.