“Friendship is never established as understood relation. It is a miracle which requires constant proofs. It is an exercise of the purest imagination and of the rarest faith.”
– Henry David Thoreau
PROVERBS 16:7
7 When a person’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Although it changes along with my experiences, this scripture has been my favorite for a couple of years now. Suffice it to say that leadership comes at a price. Sometimes we choose it willingly and sometimes it is thrust upon us whether we want it or not. Following my own path is not so difficult, however, creating a path for others to follow and adopt… #painful! Even if those you lead actually believe in your ability to do so, inevitably there will be folks among them who question your ability or resent it. My prayer is to accept leadership with grace and humility at all times whether at home or at work.
Tenacious
Te·na·cious [tuh-ney-shuh s]
Adjective:
1. Holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold
2. Highly retentive: a tenacious memory
3. Persistent
4. Holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough
In most cases, I would confirm that I am definitely not a follower. However, I recently found myself in the midst of some serious self-evaluation. I wondered: “Am I really following my dreams or am I chasing them.”
As I look at the difference, to follow means that the dream is real and I own it. But to chase a dream says that on some level I’m not really convinced that it’s obtainable. As I follow dreams/goals that are decades or days old, I feel empowered to know that there is already a connection to that dream. For instance, I shared with a friend recently that I am going to Paris in April. There, the goal has been verbalized and now I follow my path to fulfilling that dream. Although I have been to Paris several times, each time I visit increases the value of the first dream I had many years ago of seeing that lovely city.
While visiting New Orleans last Spring, we toured the city from one of those double-decker buses. There was a rain shower that made the floor and steps somewhat slippery, so the tour guide began to chant: “Take your time, watch your step.” My friend and I joked about how he said those words, but the message began to resonate on a different level. TAKE YOUR TIME, WATCH YOUR STEP.
Following my dreams rather than chasing them allows me to take my time and watch my step. It’s not a matter of being overly cautious either. The less slips and falls, the more dreams I can add to my ever growing list of dreams still to follow.
Egos & Buffaloes 