There are TWO lucky winners of the Christmas Flag Albums: Joelle Mancuso and Cherylyn Klemens
Congratulations, ladies!
As promised, wasn’t that an amazing piece by Dr. Brooks?!
I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did…
Feel free to refer back to it often!
I’m almost certain by now…
that many of you faithful readers are wondering…
what a “Snuggie” has to do with Freedom vs. Liberty?
(And where the nearest facility is that will take TommyMom for a “nice long rest?”)
It has a lot to do with it, actually.
It’s a strong illustration…
Especially in matters that involve…
those that are developing their leadership skills…
And what we are modeling for them as mentors.
I am not a “Snuggie hater.”
Or a hater of much of anything, really …
So don’t get your toga in a knot.
If you refer back to the Snuggie post and look at what it claims…
It is not only over the top…
It’s ridiculous…
With totally irrelevant claims that don’t address its true purpose!
A phenomena?!
Please.
Webster’s 1828 has a simple example of phenomenon…
“something remarkable.”
While blankets serve a useful purpose, I wouldn’t categorize them as “phenomena.”
And yet, how many times do we intentionally or even unintentionally,
jump on the bandwagon of the latest useful system, methodology, technique, or gadget…
that promises a “quick fix”…
where Leadership Education and our goals are concerned…
Especially if “everyone else has one” or “is doing it”…
with results that are perceived as successful…
but more often than not, are irrelevant to our personal needs and goals?
True Leadership Education is a lifetime pursuit, not a means to an end.
It is something that is cultivated.
I think “Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning” says it best…
“Women, in particular,tend to think that if we just talk to the right person or meet with the right circle of friends, somebody will give us that secret knowledge that makes everything ideal…It is imperative to rise to the level of adult and be the expert on your own life.” page 259, emphasis mine.
This is not a “Snuggie” realization to face…
And it definitely doesn’t produce “warm fuzzies…
complete with relaxing comfort zones.”
Facing it involves a huge paradigm shift…
and the discipline…
coupled with will…
to not default to a conveyor belt mentality.
An example?…
sans “Snuggie” illustrations?
“Wow, such and such a child who is my child’s age can already do_______…”
This must mean that I need ________________…
in order to succeed as a mentor to my child as well.”
Or…
“Wow, she has achieved_______
(in her home, her education, her goals)
…you choose.
Never mind that the reality is…
that your life circumstances are entirely different…
with a different number of children…
all of whom have individual needs!
And when you diligently apply…
the 4 Phases and the 7 Keys to your situation…
it works every time.
Alright, ladies!…
(and gentleman...the example is gender specific, but the situation certainly isn’t)…
“Confession is good for the soul.”…
As is personal assessment.
I think that all of us are born with a desire to be affirmed…
to make a difference in the world…
to matter.
On a meaningful level.
But in thinking seriously about it…
If we don’t reprogram the default button…
We remain slaves to expectations both culturally and socially.
Leadership thrives in an environment of freedom.
Cultivating freedom at the cost of slavery…
is always going to be worth it.
This means, that “trusting the process”,
valuing what we know to be right over what others think, have or do…
Allows a strengthening of our core being,
the whole individual…
and a cultivation of confidence that allows “people to think what they think”…
and “do what they do,”
regardless of what we, ourselves, are modeling and living.
Perhaps it takes a large part of a lifetime to become totally unfettered…
but how often do we end up with less than desirable results…
because we do what the masses are doing?
Each day brings an opportunity to practice freedom…
Leadership…
Education…
None of which, historically, have successfully involved the masses…
warm, fuzzy feelings…
or personal comfort.
The trade off?
No mental or spiritual limitations…
regardless of personal circumstances…
personal choice of thought and self-governance…
often coupled with effective action.
And in this case, children that most likely, will choose the same.
How is your default response coming along?
Let Freedom Ring...
WOW! That one word could sum it up, but I want to thank you for that. I really needed that right now. Love it! It’s so true about the pressures of our society and culture. Totally made me think of a quote I recently came across,
“Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?”
Thanks for doing this blog and refreshing our memories of the reasons we are choosing a different path than the masses! I, for one, need that reminder often! You basically ROCK!
[Reply]