Greetings from Cali, Colombia. Last night, my limo driver picked me up from the airport in a classic 1986 Mercedes Benz with one- inch thick, bullet-proof windows. Both metal and glass can resist bullets up to nine millimeters. If the tires are shot out, a secondary pneumatic system takes over, allowing the car to travel almost one mile away before it has to stop.

You may ask, what am I doing here? Don’t I know that Colombia has been in civil war for well over 30 years? Well, I’m helping Colgate-Palmolive develop sales strategies and presentation tools and I’m not afraid.

You may ask, what am I doing here? Don’t I know that the national elections are four days away and the violence and kidnapping escalate just before the elections? (My client informed me that I should not leave the hotel, but to remain inside for duration of the two-day session.) Well, I guess I’m actually crazy. Crazy enough to believe my life is on purpose and I’m fine.

I love the manner, the beauty and the smiles of the people. Their composure is remarkable when you consider the conditions in which they live. If you have ever complained about the country or town in which you live…the politics, the violence, the economic problems…then consider Colombia.

Here’s a country that for decades has been run by three armies. The government army fights to keep order. The guerrilla army fights to create chaos so that their narcotics and arms business can flourish unopposed. The paramilitary army fights to bring justice because it believes the government is not doing enough to protect the people from the guerrillas.

This gets very complicated and dangerous. The government gives partial permission to the paramilitaries; the guerrillas reportedly bribe some government officials; some factions of the paramilitaries are very corrupt and cannot be distinguished from the guerrillas. Any group can kill you suddenly. Would it matter which one?

One day on a prior visit, I was on the top story of the Dann Cali hotel in downtown Cali, training a sales team. One by one, the team members moved to the window and looked down in the streets for a couple minutes, mumbled about something, then returned to join the group. I figured that they needed a break, so I gave them one. During the break, I enquired at what made everyone go to the window. I learned that a dead body was being dredged from the Cali River that runs through the center of town…right across the street from the hotel. It was an apparent murder from the night before.

I exploded. “Are you kidding me? Do you mean to say that you all saw a murdered body, and that’s all the emotion you showed? Holy mackerel! Are you so accustomed to dead bodies in the streets that they no longer produce an emotional response?” My group was embarrassed at my comments on the apathy and so they sought to explain that the murder was really a bad situation.

So how is it that I love the people of Cali so much? I think of Nestor Gonzalez, a cultured, soft-spoken businessman of high integrity. I think of Clarita, a fun loving woman who adores music and hanging out with friends. I think of the warm embrace and kisses with which Caleños greet each other. And how can they be so charming and pleasant? The human spirit has a remarkable way of finding peace in the midst of the storm…of surviving in the face of clear and present danger.

Yes, most Colombians have had to develop a resistance to the trauma of frequent violence and killings in order to maintain their emotional sanity, but they are a people characterized by life and spirit. Yes, I also know a Colombian businessman who is somewhat of a scoundrel, but most people here are fine. Sure, the bad elements disturb the social order and limit the expression of freedoms you and I may take for granted, but those elements represent the minority…most Colombians are decent, hard working people.

Do you live in London, New York, Toronto, Miami, Kingston or some other city or town? Do you ever find yourself complaining about how bad things are? Every time you are tempted, consider the fine people of Colombia and you may find reasons to be thankful. Is it possible that despite your social, political or economic circumstances, you can find a measure of freedom inside, that allows you to have life and spirit? The right answer is “Yes” but is it true for you?

It is clear to me that the human heart has the remarkable power to find wholeness in an environment that is essentially broken. The fact of the matter is, if your environment is dysfunctional, but your heart is sound, courageous and visionary, that internal state can help you lead a wholesome life. It is clear to me that if you live in paradise and your heart is not at peace, even paradise will be terror for you.

You see, it’s not the place where you live or the circumstances of the world that determine the state of your life. It is the way you think; it is the way you BE on the inside that attracts danger to you or repels it. You could be killed in the finest neighborhood; so why not live in peace wherever you are?

I sat in first class next to Rita, a charming Peruvian woman who’s lived in Colombia on and off for thirty years. When I enquired about life in Colombia, she told me that in all these years, she’s never had a problem with violence there. But in Miami, someone snatched her purse, and in New York, she's been mugged and ended up with a broken shoulder -- in broad daylight. That’s the testament of a Colombian resident, tasting danger only in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The good news for Colombia is that the present government has been tough on the guerrillas…tough enough that much of the paramilitary army has disarmed. The popular government is likely to win the election and continue the improvement of circumstances for the people of this great nation.

Just think, I recently spent a week working with clients in Jamaica – Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Annotto Bay. Among many Jamaicans, the common cry is that the country is in deep trouble from violence and poverty. Here in Colombia, I’ve mentioned that I’m from Jamaica and gotten the response, “Ay que tan cheverre! Jamaica es un país tan bonito y seguro.” Translated: “Oh, how cool! Jamaica is such a beautiful country, and so safe.”

What’s your perspective? Do you have a source of joy and tranquility even when your circumstances and environment are not supportive? I find peace in my relationships and in the pursuit of God. Where do you turn?

Many people in the world today would gladly take your worst problem in exchange for theirs. Your biggest crisis could be dramatically worse, but it isn’t. Choose to feel grateful today for your life circumstance and enjoy the moment. Yes, you can be Calm in Cali.

Take it from me, this attitude will give you altitude.

Regards,

Alvin

PS: Many enquiries about my new book, Persuasion Power – The Science of Successful Selling. Being printed; more info. very soon.