I encounter great people each week in this thing called my work. I rub shoulders with men and women who have achieved much in accomplishments both large and small. I have the opportunity to be there when visions are cast, new directions are executed, losses are stopped, and even profits are gained. I am oftentimes present when cultures are ignited and souls catch fire. The satisfactions and the joy’s that come from doing ones work, doing it well, seeing the fruit from the labor, and knowing that the changes are real, is it’s own reward. This is the world we call BUILT TO LEAD.
Each week, I also encounter great people that are mired in “victimhood.” I rub shoulders with men and women who can only see the problems of the present, have forgotten about their heritage, foggy about where they’re going, even to the point of “why bother.” Each week, I walk into cultures that “cause me to play defensive,” as one told me this week. “You know, blood is still thicker than water,” she said. Some weeks I wonder if the work we are doing at BUILT TO LEAD has any purpose and any power to deeply change anything…
AND, then I remember the great joy that came to me simply from the smell of my son’s pillow. I remember the meals made with and by my bride. The conversations too. Some that went well, some that ended poorly, and some more that just went ok, nearly forgetting that there were a couple that were splendid. Funny, huh.
Mostly this week, however, I’ll take with me the look on my sons face as he struggled mightily to pass his defender on his march toward the goal, the shot that was earned, scored, and then taken away by the authority of the man they call the referee. His, Miss’s, and my anger that was shared in this great injustice. AND, just as quickly, my realization that nobody could really strip him of his “good work” and of his accomplishment. I remember telling him later that night, with all sincerity and with great joy, that I LOVED his play, his effort, and what a beautiful goal he had made.
We all smiled again, Miss, me, and even Tay.
Master your craft. Master some more. Give your best effort and find the ability to totally surrender to the atmosphere of the moment…
Very cool.
BUILT TO LEAD 