Love is the greatest gift we can ever hope to give or receive. Love is the one thing that can overcome so many of the difficult times that we are faced with in life. Love is so powerful - it can turn frowns into smiles. It can help mend the most broken heart. It can even turn all of the ugliness in the world into the most beautiful portrait we could ever have the pleasure to behold.
Such a monumental task - of course... it could be. But only if we try to do it alone. Instead, if each of us, in our own small way contributed just a little - together, the task can become the reality we're reaching for.
As potent as what love can be, it can only work it's magic if we choose to allow it to. For that to come to pass we must let go of the other emotions that can get in love's way. How is that - you may wonder?
Consider the thought that...
Anger - It's normal, but holding on to it indefinitely isn't really necessary. Let it go... Forgiveness is so much better for the soul than holding on to a grudge. Not only will the person you're angry at be happier but so will you.
Harshness - Harsh words take just as much effort and energy as kind ones do. Why not consider your choice of words before you speak them and choose gentler ones to get your point across.
Impatience - Aren't we all guilty of this at one time or another? Keep reminding yourself of the old saying - "Patience is a virtue" - who wouldn't want to be a little more virtuous? (Webster describes "virtuous" as being of moral quality or excellence)
Envy - We all know the saying here - "The grass is not always greener on the other side". Take that to heart and concentrate on "fertilizing" and "watering" your own to get it just as "green" as your neighbors' "lawn". You may wind up being the one envied instead.
Mistakes - We all make them! So when someone else does, forgive them as you hope others would do for you. Allow them to be "only human" and consider the fact that they didn't mean any harm by it. Did you, when you made one?
Revenge - Someone always gets hurt by this one - and not always the one you expect to... Why take that risk?
Expectations - Set them low enough that they are achievable - not so high that you fail to reach them. No one wants to feel like a failure - neither you or the other person. If you don't expect too much you will not be disappointed.
Perfection - We weren't born perfect, it's not something that can be learned, so why not accept the fact that it doesn't exist. So many of us would breathe easier if this concept would just fade away. I would, wouldn't you?
Instead of any of the above, consider these options...
Take the time to know each other's heart - when you do you will be more understanding and less apt to misunderstand another's intentions, which probably were never meant to hurt or upset you to begin with.
Smile more often - it may cause a few wrinkles, at the very least, but then so does frowning. You choose what kind you'd rather have. And as you ponder that choice, keep in mind that they can both be contagious. Wouldn't you rather be greeted by smiles than frowns?
Love causes less stress, less heartache, less misunderstandings, less of just about everything negative. Love does reap rewards - happiness, health, joy, peace, and so much more that's positive. Isn't that what we want most for this world of ours? Isn't this a much prettier picture? Remember the portrait? It's not impossible and we can all help to paint it. We can at least try, right? Think about it...
Biyernes, Marso 25, 2011
Biyernes, Marso 4, 2011
Leadership
LEADERSHIP
Not everyone of us are born leaders.
Well, not all of us are born to be rich and privileged as well. Although it would really take hard work to become rich, the good news is: we could all try to be good leaders! All it takes is just the right leadership strategy.
I rediscovered the book," The Tao of Leadership: Leadership Strategies for the New Age," John Heider's adaptation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching or How Things Work, over the weekend and I'm so glad that I did. It's a valuable resource for all of us professionals and I feel so at odds with myself for totally missing it all these years! There are 81 nuggets of wisdom in total that could guide us in becoming the kind of leader that we want to be.
As a leader, I would like to say that I conform to the following leadership strategies:
The wise leader is like water
"Consider water: water cleanses and refreshes all creatures without distinction and without judgment; water freely and fearlessly goes deep beneath the surface of things; water is fluid and responsive; water follows the law freely."
It's true that sometimes all you have to do is look at the things around you and you'd be surprised at the valuable lessons that you can learn from it. Take the case of water. It's not rigid; it's free-flowing.
As a leader in my company, I believe that I am a simple and calm person. Just like water, I am fluid, flexible, and responsive. I don't believe that you should push people into doing things for you but rather you should just be an instrument in making things happen.
Allow things to be revealed freely while giving your workers the opportunity to explore and express themselves. You only step in as a guide, probably make sure everything is on the right track, yet never imposing.
Your ultimate goal is harmony.
A harmonious working relationship is a perfect relationship.
Don't stir things up
"Run the group delicately, as if you were cooking small fish."
When was the last time you cooked fish, especially a small one? Due to its delicate nature, you try to hold it as gently as you can, carefully handling it so it will not break as you bring it to the pan, and you make sure you cook it just right.
When you are starting a company, your leadership strategy should be that of a good chef. You orchestrate everything - ingredients, tools and equipment, manner of cooking, the right time, and yes, even the right heat. Allow everything to process naturally. Sauté. Let simmer. Allow all flavors to mix and blend well. And wait. In the right time, you have cooked up just the perfect dish!
Low and open
"Why is the ocean the greatest body of water? Because it lies below all rivers and streams and is open to them all."
A tried and tested leadership strategy likewise espoused by Lao Tzu is that a good leader should be a good follower. Much like a good cook, you facilitate the making of the dish but you know that the ultimate star would be the dish itself. Just like the ocean, a wise leader provides the bed to make its workers do its work even at the risk of getting unnoticed for facilitating it all. But reward and acknowledgment should not be the priority of a good leader; it's the success in knowing that a job well done was finally achieved.
Not everyone of us are born leaders.
Well, not all of us are born to be rich and privileged as well. Although it would really take hard work to become rich, the good news is: we could all try to be good leaders! All it takes is just the right leadership strategy.
I rediscovered the book," The Tao of Leadership: Leadership Strategies for the New Age," John Heider's adaptation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching or How Things Work, over the weekend and I'm so glad that I did. It's a valuable resource for all of us professionals and I feel so at odds with myself for totally missing it all these years! There are 81 nuggets of wisdom in total that could guide us in becoming the kind of leader that we want to be.
As a leader, I would like to say that I conform to the following leadership strategies:
The wise leader is like water
"Consider water: water cleanses and refreshes all creatures without distinction and without judgment; water freely and fearlessly goes deep beneath the surface of things; water is fluid and responsive; water follows the law freely."
It's true that sometimes all you have to do is look at the things around you and you'd be surprised at the valuable lessons that you can learn from it. Take the case of water. It's not rigid; it's free-flowing.
As a leader in my company, I believe that I am a simple and calm person. Just like water, I am fluid, flexible, and responsive. I don't believe that you should push people into doing things for you but rather you should just be an instrument in making things happen.
Allow things to be revealed freely while giving your workers the opportunity to explore and express themselves. You only step in as a guide, probably make sure everything is on the right track, yet never imposing.
Your ultimate goal is harmony.
A harmonious working relationship is a perfect relationship.
Don't stir things up
"Run the group delicately, as if you were cooking small fish."
When was the last time you cooked fish, especially a small one? Due to its delicate nature, you try to hold it as gently as you can, carefully handling it so it will not break as you bring it to the pan, and you make sure you cook it just right.
When you are starting a company, your leadership strategy should be that of a good chef. You orchestrate everything - ingredients, tools and equipment, manner of cooking, the right time, and yes, even the right heat. Allow everything to process naturally. Sauté. Let simmer. Allow all flavors to mix and blend well. And wait. In the right time, you have cooked up just the perfect dish!
Low and open
"Why is the ocean the greatest body of water? Because it lies below all rivers and streams and is open to them all."
A tried and tested leadership strategy likewise espoused by Lao Tzu is that a good leader should be a good follower. Much like a good cook, you facilitate the making of the dish but you know that the ultimate star would be the dish itself. Just like the ocean, a wise leader provides the bed to make its workers do its work even at the risk of getting unnoticed for facilitating it all. But reward and acknowledgment should not be the priority of a good leader; it's the success in knowing that a job well done was finally achieved.
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