Some of you recall…
that awhile back…
I wrote a post…
on community responsibility.
It involved a trip…
to LifeStream…
which is our local…
as well as our county…
blood bank.
The shortened version of the events that followed…
is that they read the post…
approached me…
and asked if they could use our family…
in an upcoming campaign…
that was to be entitled…
Blead By Example.
I loved the title of this campaign…
and have also considered it a privilege…
to share with the employees…
that have contacted us…
about Leadership Education.
What it involves…
why it’s great…
what it is!
It’s been a fun…
enlightening…
journey.
Many of you also recall…
that on the eve…
of our scheduled photo shoot…
Son #3 wanted to know…
exactly where and how…
these photos would be used.
I will readily admit at this point…
that perhaps I was tired…
and lacking sleep…
when I shot back with…
“Maybe if you’re lucky…
you’ll be in a bus stop somewhere.”
I got the reaction I wanted…
and we proceeded to our photo opp.
I promised to keep you updated…
as to the progress of this project.
Here is a synopsis…
of the conversation…
that Son #2…
had with LifeStream…
at the end of last week…
when he called to reschedule his appointment.
LS: “Hello, LifeStream. How may we help you?’
Son #2: “Yes, I need to reschedule my appointment, please.”
LS: Your name?
(Son #2 complies.)
LS:” Oh my word! As in the individual…
that is currently on our vehicles?”
Son #2: “Um…well, I guess so.”
Oh yes, indeed!
Later that day…
Son #1 went in to give blood and came home with these…
making it official.
My two eldest children are zipping back and forth on freeways…
all over Southern California!
I believe they said they are on 14 vehicles…
but don’t quote me.
Here’s the best part!
When I called the corporate office…
and spoke to Piper…
my new…
peppy…
perfectly professional…
and popping-with-excitement friend…
here’s what she had to say.
P: “Hello, Teri! The vehicle wraps look great!
People are embracing this campaign…
and the feedback has been wonderful!
Thanks so much again for helping us”
Me: “Are you kidding?
We feel privileged to have been asked!”
Piper: “I have more exciting news!
Towards the end of September…
there are plans to use Sons #1-#5…
to wrap two of our buses! ”
Me: Stunned silence.
Piper: “We’re going to use the three older boys…
on one side…
and the two little ones on the other.”
There was simply no denying…
that I had some serious “splaining to do”…
where Son #3 was concerned.
His response when I told him?…
“No, really Mom…
feel free to exploit us for however long…
you feel is necessary.”
Okay, so maybe some of us are grateful.
I know he really is as well.
He’s just supressing it…
for a later release.
Don’t worry, friends…
I will keep you posted.
WOW! Does the ‘mom’ (or dad) moment get any prouder than this??? Those turned out so great, I can hardly wait to see the buses! I know I don’t have to remind you just how great your boys are, but this is just awesome!
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First of all Teri, CONGRATULATIONS for allowing your boys the opportunity to “BLEAD”, not only for giving back life, but also for being an example of what other young people can do!
Second, I’m so grateful to have a friend through the years who never ceases to entertain in only the way that you are blessed to do ….always with a lesson! I love you for that!
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Teri, I LOVE the pictures and endorsement on both sides. I’m so proud of your family and the example they give!
May I go back to tension for just a moment? I have really been thinking about this!
I have read Multiple Intelligence by Howard Gardner. He stated there are 8 different types of intelligences and the best corporations put together teams that include each type. Do you think there would be a little tension in that room? One person wanting to think more globally while the other wants to think in details, or one more concerned with the practical while the other works from a more creative side. (I realize Gardner wrote that each type of intelligence can have creativity.) Yet, the tension could be a huge benefit to the organization when they all work together incorporating their individual types of intelligence. There just needs to be a great leader making sure the right balance is met to accomplish the goal.
I have read a weakness is just a strength that has been pulled too much in one direction and out of its boundaries to be effective. A great leader must just knock things a little bit back the other way… gently of course…okay, maybe sometimes with a sledge hammer.
This works with kids as well. I have the 4 directions, rather children, (north, south, east, and west) living under the same roof. We have 4 different dominant temperament types: Sanguine and its opposite Melancholy, and Phlegmatic and its opposite Chloric. There is definitely tension at times. Yet, they are learning how to recognize and appreciate the different strengths in each other which I hope will eventually transfer to community. I cannot change the temperament type of my kids. Furthermore, I have one child that is more right-brained dominant verses 3 others who are left- brained dominant. This is NOT a problem to be solved. They are who God created them to be. But a leader must understand each of these things to make the organization run smoothly. They must have an understanding of human nature and how things works…not for the purpose of solving the issue, but for working with the natural bend of things.
Teri, I have thought about tension being rhythmic verse it being a balancing act. I can see it as both. I can see tension as rhythm when discussing the idealistic youth verses the pragmatic parent. There is a season for everything. Yet, I can see it as balance when discussing personalities…no amount of time is going to change the basic temperament of a person.
Okay, Teri. Am I even in the ballpark here?
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Teri Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
This was EXACTLY what I was hoping people would get! I think I missed the mark on this one, where my own communication is concerned! What I was trying to convey…is that a problem can be solved. Situations, people, etc. can’t!
For example…if you had a very difficult child…what would you do? It isn’t an option to “solve” people. How about a tough in-law? Spouse? Community relationship? Boss? Opposing worldviews with others, different political or religious views?
The idea is to recognize the DIFFERENCE between what a problem is versus tension in any given situation that needs to be managed or leveraged on your part; as well as the part of others involved. In the spirit of “You, Not Them” it REALLY works! All you can do is develop YOUR skills, YOUR abilities, fine tune YOUR deficits and shortcomings; examine what you think, believe and practice…and leverage it for the betterment of all involved! I hope this makes more sense! Some people would call “tension” a “challenge.” It’s really a matter, in part,of terminology. However, when it comes to a intersection where both sides are “agreeing to disagree” or “see things differently”…then the “tension” will always be there. The idea is to embrace these tensions as an opportunity to grow in your personal leadership skills. XO, ;0) Thanks for the input!
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Debbie Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Teri, I also think there typically has been tension between families who home educate and those who don’t. It appears each side of the aisle is looking through a different pair of glasses. For a long time, I always tried to get a person to MY side, thinking my way was the ONLY right way. That should have NEVER been the objective. The problem or objective is how can we bring each child to his/her full potential and ability. If that can be done using two different methodolgies, that makes conquering the problem that much more efficient. Thus, we can use the differences as a benefit instead of wasting our time NOT on the REAL issue. I think a great leader must UNDERSTAND truths,knowldege or facts that don’t change with time, in order to maximize tensions. So for me, that means back to studying, questioning, and observing!
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Well, by that response #3 gave, I can certainly tell he’s your son!
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Teri Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Sad but true…the ole’ fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree….that’s for sure! XO, ;0)
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