Spiritual life is a series of fresh starts, new beginnings. Some people think that spiritual life is about maintaining a perfect record, not making any mistakes. Spiritual life is, in fact, about starting new again and again and again. We learn from mistakes. One of the most important things we learn is to keep starting over, keep learning. Each year, each month, each week is an opportunity to begin again. Each day, each moment, each step can be a fresh start. I... Read more
We tend not to think of humility having much to do with leadership. Leaders, after all, are people who seek opportunities to lead, which might be the opposite of humility. We see humility as being a little insecure. We believe that people with humility shy away from the spotlight, avoid becoming the center of attention. We see leaders as being happy to be out in front. We assume leaders are dynamic and charismatic. I do not perceive humility as a lack of confidence. It... Read more
Spiritual life makes eye contact. Spiritual life does not look away, and we see ourselves reflected in its gaze. We feel ourselves caught up in the embrace of spiritual life. Spiritual life can feel warm and protective, like a great hug. There are times when spiritual life can feel constraining, like we are being held whether we want to be or not. Spiritual life is an intimate relationship. Spiritual life sees us as we are, beyond the identities we construct to... Read more
We will travel great distances, pay admission, and stand in line to experience works of art. We may have a favorite artist, sculptor, composter, musician, or dancer. We may be drawn to abstract expressionists or realists, pre-Raphaelites or muralists. We may prefer ancient artifacts or contemporary creations. Great works of art are reflections of the people who created them and the worlds in which they lived. They inspire us to see our world in new ways. In addition to the works of... Read more
No, not by strutting around while you let everyone else do all the real work. No, not by gobbling up all the credit or recognition within reach. Not even because Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey the national bird rather than the eagle. Turkeys inspire our leadership a little later in their life stories. It is only after making real sacrifices that turkeys come into their own as examples of leadership. Turkeys are raised and nurtured in ways that prepare them for significant... Read more
There have been times when spiritual life felt like holding my breath. We do not want to upset anyone, to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We know what people expect of us and are careful to give them the right impression. We know what they want us to do or say. We know the answers we are supposed to give. Then someone gets a little too honest, gives a little too much information. We hold our breath. We hope no one notices... Read more
Some of my friends spend November practicing 30 Days of Gratitude. They post on various social media each day, describing how they are grateful for the good things which fill their lives. I appreciate their gratitude. There are days when something they share inspires me to see my own experience in new ways. Gratefulness can be a challenge for me. My first inclination is to find a problem to solve or avoid, not blessings for which to be grateful. I appreciate... Read more
Like determined detectives, leaders are sparked by curiosity. Relying on a combination of rational analysis and intuition, leaders search for deep truths. Leadership is motivating people toward common goals. Some people look like they are trying to motivate the people around them through fear and brute force. They do not seem interested in inspiring people, drawing out their best from them. They just want to fit enough pieces together to get things done. They appear not to be concerned with uncovering... Read more
We tend to be afraid of what is waiting for us, hiding in the dark. We prefer to deal with things we know we can control. When we cannot see what is out there in the dark, we do not know whether we can control whatever it is. We try to control the darkness around us with street lights, headlights, flashlights. Darkness is more powerful, more primal than we realize. We are born in darkness, our eyes tightly shut against... Read more
There are projects, teams, organizations, and people that draw me to continue working, to do more. They are not the the most lucrative, nor do they provide the greatest recognition. They are not the easiest, nor the ones that give me the most enjoyment. They can be difficult, filled with challenges. The projects and people that keep me working bring me to a point where I find peace in work. They are places and experiences that show me how I can become more.... Read more
Strategic Monk
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In