(the ramblings continued….) Sunny, Cold, But Beautiful in Indy!
Okay…so the New Year has begun…well really, we are already heading into the last half of January 2008!! Can you believe it! And as I look ahead, the months are so packed with responsibilities and activities (many that are fun!) that I am stunned into disbelief. Where does the time go? Oh well…
So far this month, my conversations with clients have seemed to center around an age-old issue: RESPECT. Not a big word in reference to its letters. However, a very big word when not practiced and not received. How is it that we still don’t get the importance…the absolute need for it? It’s not that we just want respect from others; we actually need respect for our own spirit to remain healthy, alive, and functioning in the modal of leadership. And, yes, that does mean showing respect to others; part of that “Golden Rule” admonition.
For instance, have you ever failed a test you didn’t know that you were taking? You’re not even clear as to what the test had been. Yet, somehow, you failed it. Respect wasn’t offered as a means of personal or professional growth…you weren’t privy to what the terms and conditions were to the test…you just bombed big time!! Without direction and some definition of what the right answers should be, confusion and frustration set in and hamper the ability of clear thought and sustained action. Shutdown happens; therefore, you loose the motivation and initiative to change your “world”. You begin to play the “wishing game”. Yet, as you wish for the answers, realization dawns that no “wishes” are ever answered. Not really…because wishes need action. It doesn’t get you anywhere to “wish” for something to be; wishes need a plan, and they need “feet”. You gotta move…you gotta get going!!
I have learned through the years that it’s not the individuals with exceptional talent or intellect that get results…get their wishes. It is the individuals with exceptional execution, discipline, and a huge spirit of determination. I call it “grittiness”. Life may knock me down repeatedly, but I’m like those Bobo dolls…I just keep popping back up…bloodied maybe…but smiling…ready for more! Call it high pain tolerance, stubbornness, or sometimes just being downright stupid. Ha I don’t like to give up…I’m not a quitter…and my taunt is, “Bring it on!”
So what do I “coach” myself on today, when I feel like I’m being disrespected, put in a hole and covered up, and dirt is flung in my face or packed down with the stomping of uncontrollable people and/or circumstances? It’s then that I need to create, or even force my way through and up towards the light. Sort of like making your way toward a goal, an objective, a dream, a wish…without allowing yourself to be stopped, no matter what is thrown at you. If I can do that, if you can do that, then we can be what I have recently termed, a “point person”…a leader with convictions and strength. But beware! A “point” person can be a dangerous position. It will take a huge dose of courage. Sometimes though…well, that’s just the game of life!
I have been playing around with using “POINT” as an acronym. What would it contain? You decide for yourself. For me, it is these things:
P erformance - perspective (mine and others in my micro-community)
O ptimism - oscillation (always scanning for varying options)
I nititiative - innovation based on truth and reality
N ailing execution - nurturing development & creating results
T NT - timing (knowing when to move a single rock or blow up the mountain) ha
Sitting here and thinking about it, I have to admit that it sounds like more fun, and a quicker stress reliever, to blow the mountain up (along with the people that harm us). However, the quickest or the easiest solution is not always the best. Good things take time, plans, and effort; sometimes even a little pain. I can just hear the groans…because some of you are in a lot of pain.
If you are like me, you tend to disregard pain thinking that I can “work through it”. It will go away in time. Things will get better. However, my doctor tells me that that choice is extremely stupid. The pain is telling me to change and desist the activity that I am doing. It’s not about applying the ice after the fact to take down the swelling, but applying some common sense. It’s about hitting the stop button and resetting the program to what is realistic, then developing some preventative measures for the future. I, we, need to keep our individual spirit alive by growing and taking the time to redefine who we are and what we want out of this life. We begin this process by putting one foot in front of the other…even in baby steps to determine our purpose.
Therefore, today, and hopefully as my reserves continue to build, I will be that “point” person. I will be respectful to those around me while demanding respect for myself. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I will extend grace and forgiveness because I don’t know what pain they are in. I will not fold and allow others to take away my joy. I will not allow anyone or anything to rob me of laughter and a smile on my face. I will embrace change as an adventure. I will listen and learn from my own pain, BUT…I will take on this game of life!! And as I said to one of you this past week (concerning my ability to finish a century ride…J), I may not know the condition I will be in at the finish line…but I WILL be at that finish line!!
So, as the flags are raised, the anthem is sung, and the whistle is blown, I say, “Let the game begin” as the clods of dirt are thrown my way. I can get down and dirty and still clean up fairly well in time for the party!
So my questions for you are: when is the party, where will it be, and who is invited? And I love a good party, so if you invite me…you have to play Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT” song! (If you don’t have it…well, it’s on my personal shuffleJ).
BTW: If you’re not nice to me…if you don’t show me some love and respect…check your pockets for the TNT. ha Just kiddingJ
Have a great weekend!!
Smiling at you through my computer,
Trudy
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