Every single day, there are people doing heroic deeds. No one knows who or what they are. They are not shouted from the rooftops or printed in the newspaper. But they are models of leadership education.
Recently I was told of the following story from a physical therapist who has clients with severe limited mobility. One of her clients is so heavy that she is confined to a bed except for those rare occasions that she is hoisted out of bed in a hydraulic lift for doctor's appointments....or twice a week when this physical therapist comes to help her client stand up for a brief 30 seconds. Yes, this physical therapist is an everyday hero. But her retired father is also an everyday hero, a man, who behind the scenes, listens to his daughter's stories of clients whose hospital beds are too high to safely allow them to get in and out of. So what does he do?
This humble, but skilled in carpentry, everyday hero seeks no recognition or monetary gain builds wooden platforms to fulfill the needs of those with his daughter .
May we keep our eyes and ears open recognizing everyday heroes and learn from the examples. And may this encourage us to go forth and with our own personal skills fulfill needs in the world!
Everyday heroes are models of leadership education.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Entitlement Mentality Part 2
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were readers. Their readings consisted of original works from Locke, Hume, Shakespeare, Plato, Aristotle, readings from the Bible especially the Old Testament regarding government rule, and many other works. From these readings, they gained the knowledge and insight that were necessary to write documents founded upon principles of freedom for the birth of a new country (aka United States of America) to follow. The words combined in the founding documents were carefully chosen to last for hundreds of generations. The only thing to tear it down would come from within the people. Unfortunately it is frightfully happening in this great country.
So how are we tearing it down? The words "pursuit of happiness" were intentionally used so we can be an ownership, self-reliant, independent people! For the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, "happiness meant that feeling of self-worth and dignity you acquire by contributing to your community and to its civic life" (Dictionary.com)." But we have now shifted that to mean that we expect the government to take care of our needs, to solve our problems, to take care of us. And THAT is tearing down our country by creating a big government ever increasing in waste of resources and abuse of power.
I came across the quote by Benjamin Franklin where he says, "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." We need to eliminate the modern era definition of the "pursuit of happiness" as an entitlement mentality and go back to what it was originally intended. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations, if they are to live in freedom, to be responsible for getting what we want in life. We need to stop saying, "Our government should do something about such and such (fill in with whatever social issue arises)." In reality it is the individual's and community's responsibility to seek out the solutions and implement them.
In the book Why We Want You to Be Rich by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, they say, "The best way to solve the problems of bad financial results is to change our thoughts...That means losing the entitlement mentality...If we do not stop expecting the government to take care of us, we will continue to have the same results -- a bankrupt nation filled with .. financially needy people."
Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump continue by saying that most people want to take the path of least resistance by taking the easy way out. Of course, who wouldn't? Why wouldn't someone want another to take care of them, to help solve their problems?! But a change in thinking is crucial for the future!
So what is the solution offered by these two financially successful men? It is to become financially literate. Incorporate the ability to make money and make it work for you.
* Read books on financial literacy.
* Take a short course on accounting and/or investing.
* Attend seminars and workshops.
* Start a small business to learn skills on growing and managing a business.
Other things I would like to add to the list are:
* Plant your own garden even a small one.
* Learn to can, dehydrate and freeze abundance of crops.
* Learn self survival skills, camping, outdoor skills.
* Learn self defense/fighting skills.
* Learn CPR/Basic First Aid.
* Volunteer in a community charity or nonprofit.
* Read, read read!!
* Add your own items to this list.
Take inventory of your gifts and talents. Find ways to use them to better your surroundings, to give to your community.
Don't just take without giving. You are the solution to offer your family, your country, and the world. This country is still great! There are plenty of opportunities out there. Once you realize the potential you have, it will be liberating and empowering. No one and no entity owes you anything.
Set aside the entitlement mentality. Take charge of your future!!!!
So how are we tearing it down? The words "pursuit of happiness" were intentionally used so we can be an ownership, self-reliant, independent people! For the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, "happiness meant that feeling of self-worth and dignity you acquire by contributing to your community and to its civic life" (Dictionary.com)." But we have now shifted that to mean that we expect the government to take care of our needs, to solve our problems, to take care of us. And THAT is tearing down our country by creating a big government ever increasing in waste of resources and abuse of power.
I came across the quote by Benjamin Franklin where he says, "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." We need to eliminate the modern era definition of the "pursuit of happiness" as an entitlement mentality and go back to what it was originally intended. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations, if they are to live in freedom, to be responsible for getting what we want in life. We need to stop saying, "Our government should do something about such and such (fill in with whatever social issue arises)." In reality it is the individual's and community's responsibility to seek out the solutions and implement them.
In the book Why We Want You to Be Rich by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, they say, "The best way to solve the problems of bad financial results is to change our thoughts...That means losing the entitlement mentality...If we do not stop expecting the government to take care of us, we will continue to have the same results -- a bankrupt nation filled with .. financially needy people."
Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump continue by saying that most people want to take the path of least resistance by taking the easy way out. Of course, who wouldn't? Why wouldn't someone want another to take care of them, to help solve their problems?! But a change in thinking is crucial for the future!
So what is the solution offered by these two financially successful men? It is to become financially literate. Incorporate the ability to make money and make it work for you.
* Read books on financial literacy.
* Take a short course on accounting and/or investing.
* Attend seminars and workshops.
* Start a small business to learn skills on growing and managing a business.
Other things I would like to add to the list are:
* Plant your own garden even a small one.
* Learn to can, dehydrate and freeze abundance of crops.
* Learn self survival skills, camping, outdoor skills.
* Learn self defense/fighting skills.
* Learn CPR/Basic First Aid.
* Volunteer in a community charity or nonprofit.
* Read, read read!!
* Add your own items to this list.
Take inventory of your gifts and talents. Find ways to use them to better your surroundings, to give to your community.
Don't just take without giving. You are the solution to offer your family, your country, and the world. This country is still great! There are plenty of opportunities out there. Once you realize the potential you have, it will be liberating and empowering. No one and no entity owes you anything.
Set aside the entitlement mentality. Take charge of your future!!!!
Friday, January 13, 2017
Entitlement Mentality Part 1 (Really! It's not a political rant)
Before this post even gets started officially, I need to give a thank you to Steve Kamb (whom I haven't met personally but would like to someday), founder of nerdfitness.com and author of a pretty uplifting book called Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story. Some words of advice in his book said that if you aspire to write a blog, just write even if it's poorly at first. So here is my next post (even if it may be poorly at first).
Politics and most politicians frustrate me. I don't get involved in all the Republicans versus Democrats, each party blaming the other for what's going wrong in our country. Because I know the reality of the situation comes from the lack of leadership education in our country. And that has bred a very ugly toxin that has invaded our minds and our characters. Over the past century, we have allowed the "Entitlement Mentality" to creep into our society. And instead of providing a an anti-toxin to rid us of this mentality, it has coursed through our bodies creating beings that think they are deserving of things without putting any effort to work for them, or even worse, expecting free things that others have worked hard for.
Simply put, the Entitlement Mentality means that you have a right to something regardless of whether you have earned it.
Does this anger you? It does me! Yet why is acceptable that we expect the government to take care of us? What is different about that? Personally, I don't see a difference. The American taxpayer does NOT owe anyone a living! We need to return to a self--reliant America and keep big government away from our hard earned money!
(Entitlement Mentality continued in Part 2.)
Politics and most politicians frustrate me. I don't get involved in all the Republicans versus Democrats, each party blaming the other for what's going wrong in our country. Because I know the reality of the situation comes from the lack of leadership education in our country. And that has bred a very ugly toxin that has invaded our minds and our characters. Over the past century, we have allowed the "Entitlement Mentality" to creep into our society. And instead of providing a an anti-toxin to rid us of this mentality, it has coursed through our bodies creating beings that think they are deserving of things without putting any effort to work for them, or even worse, expecting free things that others have worked hard for.
Simply put, the Entitlement Mentality means that you have a right to something regardless of whether you have earned it.
Does this anger you? It does me! Yet why is acceptable that we expect the government to take care of us? What is different about that? Personally, I don't see a difference. The American taxpayer does NOT owe anyone a living! We need to return to a self--reliant America and keep big government away from our hard earned money!
(Entitlement Mentality continued in Part 2.)
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Thanks, Blacklight Slide! (An Epiphany)
On Saturday, May 14, 2016, I participated in a Blacklight Slide event. It was advertised for $20. So I said, "Sweet!That sounds like fun! What a great price! Let me register for it before the price increases." I go to the website to sign up. They tacked on an additional $5 for their service fee. OK...that's still a good price. It will be worth it for the 'fun-ness' of it.
And then as the date gets closer, I receive the email that it will cost $10 for parking at the venue. OK, that's understandable. And with further emails, I find out you can only go to down the slide WITH an inner tube! You can bring your own or buy one there for $10 plus if you do not pick up your packet the day before the event, it costs an additional $5!!!! It costs more in gas to drive to the pick-up location than paying the additional $5.
The point is, this "fun" event that started out as a "bargain" at $25, doubled in expenditure the day of the event. As I was reading the reviews of this event, it came to my attention that most of the time is spent in line, NOT having fun going down the slide! Blackslide Light response to this was, "Music will be playing the entire time so use it to dance while waiting in line." Hmmm? Really?!
I stood in line with hundreds of people each holding their inner tubes, most of them bought through Blacklight Slide at $10 each. And the thought came to me. We Americans spend our money on that which has little value other. In other words, our values are really out of priority, messed up. We are a selfish, entitlement seeking community. To make us feel better, Blacklight Slide announced a few times while we were waiting in line that more than $600,000 were donated to a children's cancer research. People cheered. I was dismayed.
The epiphany came to me that I could have used that $50 for a far worthier cause, something that I actually believed in instead of supporting cancer research that promote toxic medicines and methods that are in complete conflict with my personal beliefs of health and well being.
The scripture found in Luke 12:33 came to mind: "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth neither moth corrupteth."
A leader is wise and prudent with the money he or she has stewardship over. A leader uses it to bless the lives of others.
Thank you, Blacklight Slide, for giving me this epiphany!
And then as the date gets closer, I receive the email that it will cost $10 for parking at the venue. OK, that's understandable. And with further emails, I find out you can only go to down the slide WITH an inner tube! You can bring your own or buy one there for $10 plus if you do not pick up your packet the day before the event, it costs an additional $5!!!! It costs more in gas to drive to the pick-up location than paying the additional $5.
The point is, this "fun" event that started out as a "bargain" at $25, doubled in expenditure the day of the event. As I was reading the reviews of this event, it came to my attention that most of the time is spent in line, NOT having fun going down the slide! Blackslide Light response to this was, "Music will be playing the entire time so use it to dance while waiting in line." Hmmm? Really?!
I stood in line with hundreds of people each holding their inner tubes, most of them bought through Blacklight Slide at $10 each. And the thought came to me. We Americans spend our money on that which has little value other. In other words, our values are really out of priority, messed up. We are a selfish, entitlement seeking community. To make us feel better, Blacklight Slide announced a few times while we were waiting in line that more than $600,000 were donated to a children's cancer research. People cheered. I was dismayed.
The epiphany came to me that I could have used that $50 for a far worthier cause, something that I actually believed in instead of supporting cancer research that promote toxic medicines and methods that are in complete conflict with my personal beliefs of health and well being.
The scripture found in Luke 12:33 came to mind: "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth neither moth corrupteth."
A leader is wise and prudent with the money he or she has stewardship over. A leader uses it to bless the lives of others.
Thank you, Blacklight Slide, for giving me this epiphany!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Booker T. Washington: my newest add to hero list
I finished reading Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington and was so inspired by him. So as I was browsing the shelves at the library, I found another book from the Leaders In Action series. It is Then Fled Darkness: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington by Stephen Mansfield. It is so well written!
On pages 269 - 270, the author lists 22 items in "The Lessons of Leadership." Here they are:
1. To impart a sense of destiny, a leader must first impart a sense of heritage.
2. Providence and compassion are the antidotes to the poison of bitterness.
3. In self-examination, a leader finds the wisdom to help a people be their best.
4. Individual purpose finds its fulfillment in corporate destiny.
5. Wise leaders sustain themselves through disciplines of personal renewal.
6. Hard work summons the inner strengths that make a people their best.
7. Humor lets a leader win small battles in order to make larger ones unnecessary.
8. A people's destiny is fulfilled by investing in the destines of others.
9. The true leader must embody the message he proclaims.
10. Good leaders understand that character is destiny.
11. Hatred refashions a man into the image of the thing he hates.
12. Great leaders build through the gifts and talents of others.
13. Humility clears the clouds of selfishness that can dim a leader's vision.
14. Good leaders realize vision through the power of a plan.
15. People are most easily led into change by the power of example.
16. To offer a people hope is to acquire a position of leadership in their lives.
17. One must serve a people in order to lead them.
18. Excellence is the byproduct of giving oneself fully to the call.
19. Leaders must understand that a people without a heritage are easily persuaded.
20. Cleanliness is a sign of an ordered inner world.
21. To draw from the best in one's personal heritage is to draw from the best in oneself.
22. Leadership is the ability to inspire a people toward a vision of the future.
Booker T. Washington was a genius in leadership (among other things). He read the classics of his times and learned. He held no grudges or felt animosity toward those who persecuted him. He was compassionate yet required excellence from those around him. His wisdom continues to be with us today.
And at his death, people revered him. More than 8,000 attended his funeral.
On pages 269 - 270, the author lists 22 items in "The Lessons of Leadership." Here they are:
1. To impart a sense of destiny, a leader must first impart a sense of heritage.
2. Providence and compassion are the antidotes to the poison of bitterness.
3. In self-examination, a leader finds the wisdom to help a people be their best.
4. Individual purpose finds its fulfillment in corporate destiny.
5. Wise leaders sustain themselves through disciplines of personal renewal.
6. Hard work summons the inner strengths that make a people their best.
7. Humor lets a leader win small battles in order to make larger ones unnecessary.
8. A people's destiny is fulfilled by investing in the destines of others.
9. The true leader must embody the message he proclaims.
10. Good leaders understand that character is destiny.
11. Hatred refashions a man into the image of the thing he hates.
12. Great leaders build through the gifts and talents of others.
13. Humility clears the clouds of selfishness that can dim a leader's vision.
14. Good leaders realize vision through the power of a plan.
15. People are most easily led into change by the power of example.
16. To offer a people hope is to acquire a position of leadership in their lives.
17. One must serve a people in order to lead them.
18. Excellence is the byproduct of giving oneself fully to the call.
19. Leaders must understand that a people without a heritage are easily persuaded.
20. Cleanliness is a sign of an ordered inner world.
21. To draw from the best in one's personal heritage is to draw from the best in oneself.
22. Leadership is the ability to inspire a people toward a vision of the future.
Booker T. Washington was a genius in leadership (among other things). He read the classics of his times and learned. He held no grudges or felt animosity toward those who persecuted him. He was compassionate yet required excellence from those around him. His wisdom continues to be with us today.
And at his death, people revered him. More than 8,000 attended his funeral.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Twists and turns in life....but keep on going!
It has been quite a while since I have posted. I have kept busy being a caretaker to my dad who was in the last stages of prostrate cancer. Terminal. Hospice. Morphine. Round-the-clock care. Funeral arrangements. Love. Family unity. Memories.
He passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, March 8, 2014. It was a bittersweet moment to realize he is not on this earth for me to talk to anymore but relieved that he is no longer physically suffering.
We can never know what life has in store for us. There are twists and turns. Sometimes they are well received and sometimes we wish it could have been different. But the important thing is to keep on going...and by that it is to keep moving forward. Maybe we might need to take a few steps back as we stumble. But yes, the important thing is to head towards progress.
My dad was never rich in material things. He had sufficient for his needs. But he was a great leader who people looked up to. He was a humble man whose formal schooling in Mexico amounted to no more than a few months. Yet, he taught himself to read and write. And when he emigrated to the United States of America, he learned to speak, read and write in English as well. I remember as a young child sitting off to the side of a classroom as my parents attended free community English classes. I remember hearing them share to us their goal of coming to the U.S. so they could give their unborn children a better life than their own small border town in Mexico ever could.
My dad learned the trade of construction, in cement mostly. He was a genius in his trade. Rarely did he need to actually measure things. He could picture them in his mind and carry out the work. He was asked to be a foreman a few times but he declined. I don't know why.
He taught me a love for nature. He taught me to be brave.
He taught me that when things get tough, you get tougher until tough times end until the next time. And then the cycle begins all over again. But you keep on going!
I am truly grateful for his influence in my life. And now to keep on going..........
He passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, March 8, 2014. It was a bittersweet moment to realize he is not on this earth for me to talk to anymore but relieved that he is no longer physically suffering.
We can never know what life has in store for us. There are twists and turns. Sometimes they are well received and sometimes we wish it could have been different. But the important thing is to keep on going...and by that it is to keep moving forward. Maybe we might need to take a few steps back as we stumble. But yes, the important thing is to head towards progress.
My dad was never rich in material things. He had sufficient for his needs. But he was a great leader who people looked up to. He was a humble man whose formal schooling in Mexico amounted to no more than a few months. Yet, he taught himself to read and write. And when he emigrated to the United States of America, he learned to speak, read and write in English as well. I remember as a young child sitting off to the side of a classroom as my parents attended free community English classes. I remember hearing them share to us their goal of coming to the U.S. so they could give their unborn children a better life than their own small border town in Mexico ever could.
My dad learned the trade of construction, in cement mostly. He was a genius in his trade. Rarely did he need to actually measure things. He could picture them in his mind and carry out the work. He was asked to be a foreman a few times but he declined. I don't know why.
He taught me a love for nature. He taught me to be brave.
He taught me that when things get tough, you get tougher until tough times end until the next time. And then the cycle begins all over again. But you keep on going!
I am truly grateful for his influence in my life. And now to keep on going..........
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Dozens of Cops Dispatched to Shut Down ‘Illegal’ Lemonade Stand | REALfarmacy.com | Healthy News and Information
A leader is not afraid of civil disobedience. Sometimes "good people need to disobey bad laws."
Dozens of Cops Dispatched to Shut Down ‘Illegal’ Lemonade Stand | REALfarmacy.com | Healthy News and Information
Dozens of Cops Dispatched to Shut Down ‘Illegal’ Lemonade Stand | REALfarmacy.com | Healthy News and Information
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