Celebration of Leadership!

Celebration of Leadership!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I spotted the back of a tee shirt a gentleman was wearing this morning which read, “The Celebration of Leadership.” As I contemplate more and better ways to express positive examples toward living, loving and learning, I thought this was a nice topic to approach.

Now, this is as good a week as any for me to consider it as I witness folks setting examples, helping and teaching children many lessons while having fun and celebrating during vacation bible school. There is a lot of energy, enthusiasm, encouragement and positivity.

Strong, honest, good, encouraging and positive leadership is a vision to behold. It is something many ought to strive for if for no other reason than others are watching and waiting. They need model examples of how to improve, achieve and accomplish happier circumstances for which to live by. Some are self initiating, others need help.

Why do I say that? The reason is because it is evident from taking in the overwhelming amounts of information thrown at us each day that people are hurting. They give up and end their own lives. Others act out their pain in such a fashion as to hurt others. Some of those individuals are overcoming and winning their battles while others are not. And when we are not getting past our trials, healing becomes our prime focus. We aim to get over “it”.

My thought on this is what if we were to focus on healing first? Sort of a heal as you go and already be somewhat ready to win. How can we do that? We prepare. We train our minds and spirits by filling and surrounding ourselves with all that is good.

Of course, there are many ways to believe and achieve, but it occurs to me for many people it begins or began with those that set the example, provide leadership and guidance. Beyond our parents, teachers and fellowship circles/communities who are our true leaders? Maybe it is the one(s) that help us and others to grow and blossom into everything we can be.

Leaders are not necessarily the ones who hold leadership positions or are the authoritarians as evidenced by today’s political circumstances. I would dare say many do not see good leadership in those arenas. Angry and reactionary words spewing forth in tweets, texts, emails, media interviews and for which are blasted all over the papers do not reflect a positive approach to solving anything or moving forward in any way. This approach is destructive and damaging. How can anyone celebrate this kind of leadership?

When I think of strong leadership skills worthy of celebrating, I think of the following assets.

Encouragement

Nurturing approach

Listening

Kindness

Sense of care

Appreciation

Gentility

Willingness to give

Trustworthiness

Respectfulness

Empathy

This list can go on with many more positive attributes, but these certainly point us in the better direction.

There are many articles and publications available to provide information on what it means and how to become an effective leader (see links below), but the purpose I propose today is more about the importance of positive attributes in leadership of any kind.  

Personally, I believe positivity is the best approach to helping ourselves and others. 

Interestingly, many of the positive qualities I speak of happen to be the same ones depicted in effective leadership. Everyone wants to feel good and on the right track, don’t they?

So as we think about the leaders in our lives and the leadership attributes we put forth, can we also consider how the impact and effect of those attributes land on ourselves and others and make alterations toward improvements as needed? Can we be conscientious toward how other people feel and what their needs are and not be entirely centered on self?

Moreover, let’s find reasons to put forth the best in positive qualities toward better outcomes. Therein we’ll find a reason to celebrate all our lives more abundantly.

Have a great week celebrating every aspect of who you are!

Cheers!

http://www.tbae.co.za/blog/the-importance-of-a-positive-attitude-for-team-leaders/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-leadership-skills-2063782

The “Sit Around & Do Nothing”!

The “Sit Around & Do Nothing”!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

My mind is usually going 99.9 miles an hour; ideas flying in, out and around bouncing from this to that. I am always taking notes and scribbling down thoughts and ideas as a result. I think this a good thing since I am a creative type and such activity usually makes me happy. Score one up for positivity in motion.

For me, the idea of sitting down and doing nothing amounts to reading a book or watching mindless television, which is actually me doing something. At least there is some kind of mental processing going on there simply by taking it all in.

I remember my mother asking me from time to time, “What are you thinking?” To this I would answer, “Nothing.” Her response was, “It is not possible for you to be thinking about nothing.” However, for me, I believe it was true. I could literally sit there and daze out, space out and think about nothing. Oh, sure, something might pop into my mind or I might daydream, but in essence, I could sit there and not think about anything in particular. My mind would go blank for a while. 

This reminds me of meditation and Buddhist philosophy of emptying one’s self and cultivating aimlessness.

I bring this up because I recently took a little road trip which began with a job. Following that I made my way to visit various family and friends I had not seen in a long time. Since I seldom take vacations, this was a great opportunity to combine work, visitation and a get a little time off simultaneously. I was feeling the importance of making time and taking time to share quality moments with those I care about considering how time flies by so quickly and life being shorter with each passing day.

Anyway, my first stop was in Oklahoma. We sat there, talked and watched television without any plan. At first it was a little odd, because I am not used to sitting there and doing nothing at all. My body thinks it should be accomplishing something. It takes a little discipline to not do anything.

This continued on the second leg of my trip to Arkansas. I sat and literally did nothing but sit there for 5 days. In fact, my family members made comment about the idea of doing nothing and I told them it was fine with me as I did not get to do it much. And, little by little as time went by I adjusted to moving forward without any plan or forethought. I visited and spoke as it made sense to. I sat there, read a book, watched television, gazed out the back porch window and literally observed life moving outside with critters buzzing around, locusts screeching, trains passing, lightening flashing and grass growing.

Downtime and relaxation is the idea of taking time to stop and let go for a while. This is what doing nothing should be about as opposed to doing nothing to be lazy.

There are many positive benefits to this. It gives us a chance to chill out, breathe and practice mindfulness, relieves our stress, improves our internal voice (intuition), helps to ground us in truth and reality and aides in getting in touch with our real emotions. ¹

We experience stillness and silence and less over-stimulation and desensitization. We enhance the quality of our lives by taking some time to sit around and do nothing.

There appears to be a certain sense of healing our depleted systems by doing nothing. Therefore, it is important to purposefully and intentionally making time to do this "nothingness".

I found an article worth sharing conveying some of these benefits. It states, “…reduced heart rate, better digestion, improvements in mood, and a boost in overall emotional well-being – which, of course, affects everything on a biochemical and physiological level, thereby serving as a major deciding factor on whether or not we fall ill, and/or remain ill. Mental downtime also replenishes glucose and oxygen levels in the brain, and allows our brains to process and file things, which leaves us feeling more rested and clear headed, promotes a stronger sense of self-confidence, and instills within us a deep trust in life."² 

Score another point for positivity in motion!

So the next time you find yourself sitting around and doing nothing, take a moment to treasure the opportunity to do so, because it offers life enhancing elements to come alive in you. Here is a mantra you can remember as you sit and breathe.

Breathing in, I do nothing

Breathing out, I let go³

Have a great week thinking about all the positive possibilities of sitting around and doing nothing all the daylong!

Cheers!

https://yogisurprise.com/surprisingly-great-benefits-of-doing-nothing/¹

https://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/06/01/the-benefits-of-doing-nothing/²

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lilian-cheung-dsc-rd/benefits-of-doing-nothing_b_999264.html³

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer!

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

July is that time of year when people are settling into getting out and about on vacations, weekend trips, barbecue get-togethers and what not to celebrate summer living, life and each other. People head to the lakes, go camping, have family reunions and simply do what they can to get away from it all, escape and pretend all is wonderful in the world by not focusing on anything that seems wrong.

Take advantage of the opportunity to vacate from the world as you know it  even if it’s over long weekends and mini celebrations. It helps you let go and possibly recharge. What can be more positive than that?

I did this once in 1994. I needed to get away from everything and everyone. I decided to go the extreme and took off for Africa, just me, my pup tent and supplies.

It was an amazing experience. Some places I ended up were frightening, but overall the adventure was one of a life time. My soul needed it for positive restoration/rejuvenation.

These days I do not get moments like that as trips and vacations are too costly now, but I try to take advantage of every moment that I get to go to another city (even if it is work related) to get out into a new environment and drink in its spirit and revitalize some of those positive aspects I need to find my peace.

As July 4^th approaches, everyone I can think of in this country will be celebrating for one reason or another. Fireworks burst all over the place and we are reminded of so many things related to being American. However, I think it’s just as good a time as any to remember our humanness, our vulnerabilities as well as our abilities to overcome and build on our resilience to persevere and persist despite the everyday grind.

Everyone celebrates differently and in their own way, no doubt. For me as I think of this I think about celebrating life as a gift and a blessing.

Positivity in motion is found in not talking ourselves out of appreciating and being grateful for the bounty we have as opposed to being miserable on worrying about what we don’t have. 

Importantly enough is stopping and enjoying ourselves a bit. Nothing new with anything being said here, but it is good to be reminded.

I am about to take off on a little work related trip that will extend into a little extra time to visit with people I care about and love. I don’t get to do that often, as I mentioned before, because it means taking time off, having the funds and removing myself from the work place for a while. You know, that disconnecting from society and the world.

I look forward to seeing, visiting, laughing, playing and simply spending time with the ones I don’t get to see very often (aunts, uncles, cousins, adopted family, friends from back home, etc.) And, while it is not exactly a vacation, it is quality time and time well spent; even though I will be driving all over the place over a period of a couple of weeks.

This is where I can gain some positive energy and reconnect with myself, my spirit and find more positivity for which to share with everyone else. We all need this time to celebrate and appreciate. I know I am ready for it. How about you?

Let’s get out there and take advantage of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer in the best way each of us can.

So enjoy the summer. Enjoy the weekends. Enjoy the vacations. Enjoy every moment.

Here is that old Nat King Cole song Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer! to help kick off the festivities!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MpHJT8O4tI

Enjoy living life on a positive note!

Cheers!

What Are You Putting Behind You?

What Are You Putting Behind You?

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I have fallen short of the glory over the last year in getting my behind down to the gym. It is not that I never go, it’s just I have allowed activities, travel and a bit of laziness prevent me and/or talk me out of doing that for which I really should be doing. Exercise is important to me and I love it, actually. I don’t mind going. Yes, it’s hard, but I feel better for having done so.

Recently, on one of my part time jobs as a standardized actor patient, I was asked to participate in an assessment starting by tracking what I eat for three days, which I logged for seven. A follow up physical assessment took place about three weeks later and then two more weeks down the road was the final results.

I think it was all a good thing to help remind me the importance of not allowing myself to fall behind the eight ball with my fitness and health. I am not a gym rat or a buff bunny by any stretch of those terms. I could lose a few pounds and build up my endurance, no doubt. I wont deny it.

However, right off the bat I noticed a couple of things about the program that bothered me. One was the program the students were using insisted that I was completely sedentary. 

What? No way! 

I know what sedentary is as I live with someone who is the epitome of it having dementia related Alzheimer’s and needing care to take care of all basic needs, including getting up out of bed and walking around for exercise and the occasional car ride to get out of the house and go somewhere public. He is 82 earlier this week. HE is sedentary.

I had to explain to the students that I was extremely active with all that I do. The only difference was I no longer had a regular “gym” routine. It was because of that the program decided I was sedentary. I decided to stay positive and prove the program wrong, which I did when it came to the physical assessment. I performed well for a person of my age.

My point with this is that these by the numbers computer programs telling you where you are at with health and fitness are not accurate by any means. They may help predict future outcomes and caution us to do better, but they are not accurate. Even the BMI is not right. If I followed these programs to the letter, I would have to weigh in at 108 pounds to be fit and practically eat nothing over 1200 calories a day, if that!

The positive approach is be sensible and look at yourself realistically.

In the end I felt good about myself, because the students took all this into consideration once I brought it up and actually made a better assessment and performed well in their tasks.

Personally, it helped remind me to take time and make time to get a little concentrated exercise. The last couple of weeks has seen me re-emerge at the gym; slow and steady and not over doing anything. It also helped me focus on getting back into a little weight training before cardio.

Some of my tactics in going the extra mile include gym mantras. Say I am on the treadmill and trying to keep myself going to reach mile 3. I might mentally play a mantra in my head over and over again for a few minutes, something like, “You can do it, yes you can! You can do it, you’re the man!” Maybe that is a bit corny, but it helps cheer me on.

I try not to keep my eye on the clock too much or looking at how much time and distance I have gone every other second. When I do look, I take note of how far and how long I have traveled and remind myself right then and there that I have all of that behind me now, which helps me continue to persevere and move forward to complete the daily goal, whatever that might be.

In the end, when I am finished, it feels good to say I put 4 or 5 miles behind me and such- and-such calories were burned. There is a sense of accomplishment toward positive well being.

It’s a good metaphor to use in more ways than just exercise and fitness. You can use it at work to track yourself and say this is what I put behind me today. I actually completed this or that; time to move on to another task or goal. Or what emotional baggage have you put behind you today? What have you let go of today? It's all the same and demonstrates positivity in motion. 

With that thought, it may be a good question to ask or tool to use.

I think it is a positive step in the right direction for living life on a positive note.

Think about it! “What did I put behind me today?”

Don't forget, once you put something behind you, don't look back. Move forward. 

Have a great week!

Cheers!