To be a leader you have to live what you preach. You have to be the best and most consistent. You have to be solid and humble. You have to be approachable, attentive and assertive. You have to be tactful and patient. Most of all, you have to be inspiring by being kind and being helpful. Then people will not only look to you for answers but will strive to be more like you, will strive to "please" you with their achievements.
A leader is not a dictator, an impostor or a a person who cannot embrace his/her own shortcomings or not recognize them and make allowances for them. A leader will always strive for improvement and value the interest of others'. A leader is to be followed, it's a heavy, heavy task! So don't call yourself a leader if you are lacking basic values and or self esteem. You cannot yell your way through a battle, you have to fight yourself and have the men proudly and eagerly follow you into the fight. A good leader is not a perfect person but learns from others and, as said earlier, strives to improve. No one is perfect. The question is though, how much imperfection are you willing to overlook, how much is important and what do you deem dismissible? How strong are you to get up when wounded and keep your warface on through trying times? How do you deal with your own inside battles and how many losses can you take without falling?
Are you a good leader? You don't have to be. But pick someone who is. The rest is unimportant. There will be people around you who are just casualties. Don't try to follow them! Pick your leader well or be one yourself. Either way, keep on fighting, it's never over!
Stay strong in heart and spirit, be kind and keep on sweating!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
where I get my inspiration
I have one group of people with whom I work twice a week and do a short musical workout session. Few of them walk, none without crutches or a walker. They all have huge physical and/or psychological challenges. The kind that would devastate any one of us average people. I was very choked up and scared when I first saw them. I thought I would be working with a group of people who were not necessarily medically, but financially challenged and fighting their way to make a better life for themselves. I thought I could bring some regularity and some accomplishment to them by providing a positive environment where they are truly making progress and enjoy the process. I thought I could strenghten their motivation and cohesion and all of the other good values that exercise and good mentorship offers to all.
Well, it turns out that they have provided a challenge to me and have given me the most fulfilling two half hours a week that I have ever had! I look forward to going there and seeing them. I look forward to playing our music and seeing smiles and fatigue and more smiles. I always wish there was more I could do for them and for more than just this group. They know they can count on me to be there and to be energetic and entertaining. They know it's going to be a bit of hard work and they get each other to come to the sessions even if there are other things going on or they have to be a little late. There is no pressure, no judgement, no negativity of any kind during our workouts. People stop and look in to see what the commotion is about. Staff comes in and starts dancing around or doing our exercises for a minute or two. They sometimes recognize me in the supermarket or outside the institution and make sure they greet me and play me a complement about how much my program is enjoyed and appreciated.
Program. ? . I am just there. Just there to soak up their spiritual strenght that makes me tear up as I leave. I am just there because I know they like me there and I am never ill received or dismissed. I am just there because it makes ME a better person, a stronger person, a more humble human being. I am just there... and I love it!
Well, it turns out that they have provided a challenge to me and have given me the most fulfilling two half hours a week that I have ever had! I look forward to going there and seeing them. I look forward to playing our music and seeing smiles and fatigue and more smiles. I always wish there was more I could do for them and for more than just this group. They know they can count on me to be there and to be energetic and entertaining. They know it's going to be a bit of hard work and they get each other to come to the sessions even if there are other things going on or they have to be a little late. There is no pressure, no judgement, no negativity of any kind during our workouts. People stop and look in to see what the commotion is about. Staff comes in and starts dancing around or doing our exercises for a minute or two. They sometimes recognize me in the supermarket or outside the institution and make sure they greet me and play me a complement about how much my program is enjoyed and appreciated.
Program. ? . I am just there. Just there to soak up their spiritual strenght that makes me tear up as I leave. I am just there because I know they like me there and I am never ill received or dismissed. I am just there because it makes ME a better person, a stronger person, a more humble human being. I am just there... and I love it!
olympic update
Michael Phelps turned into a computer virus. It's everywhere. Beach volleyball is just phenomenal, I cannot get enough! And who cares who's running in the other lanes on the track?
Redcliff, bunked bad... it was painful just to watch her. Poor little skeleton woman. Put some muscle on your bones.
On the positive side, it's really good to see mothers, young and middle age, to be top competitors! Even in their 40s! Go GIRLS!
Now, we will have some coverage of the track events, at least the ones the American athletes compete in. Don't you think it's a kind of censorship to be so freakin patriotic that we forget what the event is all about and don't allow the public a chance to get acquainted with the true magnitude of the games? It's NOT always about America, it's not, or is it? OK, I'll stop. I don't much care for the superpower mentality. And give that kid Phelps a chance to breath.
Redcliff, bunked bad... it was painful just to watch her. Poor little skeleton woman. Put some muscle on your bones.
On the positive side, it's really good to see mothers, young and middle age, to be top competitors! Even in their 40s! Go GIRLS!
Now, we will have some coverage of the track events, at least the ones the American athletes compete in. Don't you think it's a kind of censorship to be so freakin patriotic that we forget what the event is all about and don't allow the public a chance to get acquainted with the true magnitude of the games? It's NOT always about America, it's not, or is it? OK, I'll stop. I don't much care for the superpower mentality. And give that kid Phelps a chance to breath.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
sunday list
Since it's Sunday, I will write a list for which I am thankful today. Here it goes:
I am thankful for all of the people in my life, they've all enriched this experience, called "life".
I am thankful for my ever so loyal puppy, Shasta, for she has cheered me up today and has given me many licks and tail wags (and a yellow spot on the bathroom floor). I am thankful for understanding music and culture. I am thankful for living in beautiful Florida and being so close to the ocean. I am thankful for a restful day and a reflection on self. I am thankful to know I have a plan, a dream to fulfil and am moving towards it. Have a great week!
I am thankful for all of the people in my life, they've all enriched this experience, called "life".
I am thankful for my ever so loyal puppy, Shasta, for she has cheered me up today and has given me many licks and tail wags (and a yellow spot on the bathroom floor). I am thankful for understanding music and culture. I am thankful for living in beautiful Florida and being so close to the ocean. I am thankful for a restful day and a reflection on self. I am thankful to know I have a plan, a dream to fulfil and am moving towards it. Have a great week!
olympics
oh, goodie!
The games are on!!
now I get to watch more.....()*^&*(^%& basketball!!!!!!!!!
What is wrong with this country anyway? Could the Olympics be covered with SOME track and field and less biography and shorts down to ankles and fat girls playing volleyball....seriously!
Would it be so terrible to expose the people of the Americas to some sport where your shorts do end above your knees and your underpants are not hanging out at the waist? Do people know what javelin and discus is? Pole vaulting and steeplechase? The classic events; the ones that OTHER countries compete in and win occasionally too!
Oh hell, it's not really a surprise, I mean what sells viewership? Pole vaulting or beach volleyball...hmm? I went through this agony before, the major networks cover sh..., go America! I'll get on the internets and see what the rest of the world sees. I am sad to say, that the Olympics have probably never been covered adequately from here, as much air time as it is devoted to the "show" here, it's all it is: a show. Thank you for the lenghty biographies and the heart wrenching stories of how hard the poor US athletes train in their poorly equipped facilities managing their daily hardships. Who would've thought anyway, that to be a top athlete one has to train..., like, a lot! Thank God they have shoes and swimming pools and heart rate monitors! And not only by technological and economical and geographical advantage, but by gosh, hard work and steroids, the US athletes manage to bring home most medals by country in the overall games. You know what? The US is taking the spirit out of the games. Moves in and takes over. Screw everyone else. WE are special. We will walk down behind our flag, blue tooth in the ear and talking on the *(^&&(%% cell phones while other countries had to COLLECT money for their hand full of actual athletes to travel to China. I hate this cockiness and ME ME MEEEEE attitude. I will stop here to avoid some negativity that is about to spew out of me, since I am "only" a naturalized citizen. Are you proud to be an American, all of the time??
Makes me sick... go Kenyans!
The games are on!!
now I get to watch more.....()*^&*(^%& basketball!!!!!!!!!
What is wrong with this country anyway? Could the Olympics be covered with SOME track and field and less biography and shorts down to ankles and fat girls playing volleyball....seriously!
Would it be so terrible to expose the people of the Americas to some sport where your shorts do end above your knees and your underpants are not hanging out at the waist? Do people know what javelin and discus is? Pole vaulting and steeplechase? The classic events; the ones that OTHER countries compete in and win occasionally too!
Oh hell, it's not really a surprise, I mean what sells viewership? Pole vaulting or beach volleyball...hmm? I went through this agony before, the major networks cover sh..., go America! I'll get on the internets and see what the rest of the world sees. I am sad to say, that the Olympics have probably never been covered adequately from here, as much air time as it is devoted to the "show" here, it's all it is: a show. Thank you for the lenghty biographies and the heart wrenching stories of how hard the poor US athletes train in their poorly equipped facilities managing their daily hardships. Who would've thought anyway, that to be a top athlete one has to train..., like, a lot! Thank God they have shoes and swimming pools and heart rate monitors! And not only by technological and economical and geographical advantage, but by gosh, hard work and steroids, the US athletes manage to bring home most medals by country in the overall games. You know what? The US is taking the spirit out of the games. Moves in and takes over. Screw everyone else. WE are special. We will walk down behind our flag, blue tooth in the ear and talking on the *(^&&(%% cell phones while other countries had to COLLECT money for their hand full of actual athletes to travel to China. I hate this cockiness and ME ME MEEEEE attitude. I will stop here to avoid some negativity that is about to spew out of me, since I am "only" a naturalized citizen. Are you proud to be an American, all of the time??
Makes me sick... go Kenyans!
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