Tell me you don't experience these characters at your meetings, everyday!!!arghh!!!

I am in the mood for humor today (i.e. bad day at the office).  Enjoy!

We are talking about human nature and what makes a human being good or bad.  This is not an easy answer.  I watched this Ted Talk that helped me understand that in reality, human nature is a mental health concern and life experiences mold their human nature.  

These 5 resolutions are my goals 2018.   With help from my Cohort, my family, and my friends, I anticipate reaching my goals and improving not only myself, but in working on these goals daily, helping others with in reaching their goals as well.  

2018 Goals (in acronyms)

1.  DEAL - Dissertation, enhancing (i.e. self) and learning (i.e. researching).  I made a DEAL with one of my cohort friends (i.e. Seth) that we would both strive to work on our dissertation's and finish our goal by the end of the year (i.e. 2018).  

2.  IQS - I quit sugar, I bought a book from Amazon for my Kindle that I plan on following to the letter starting on Monday, 1 January 2018 (https://www.amazon.com/Quit-Sugar-Complete-Program-Cookbook/dp/0804186014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514668197&sr=8-1&keywords=i+quit+sugar+by+sarah+wilson).  I quit sugar with Ann Brice last year for about 2 months and I felt betterand lost considerable weight.  I am hitting my goal twice as hard this year and hope to be at 240 pounds by March 31st, 2018.  

3.  BFL - Body for Life - I will continue to work out but have a more steadfast approach and not make excuses to skip a day.

4.  GTD - I use the "Getting Things Done" concept already (i.e. with help from Brian), but plan on improving the process over the next year to continue to meet my professional goals.  (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514668490&sr=1-1&keywords=getting+things+done)

5.  BMM.  Budget my money.  I will tighten my belt a bit and not spend as much on frivolous items, but save for the lot Donna and I are planning on buying in Myrtle Beach, SC.   

Simon Sinek discusses the disconnect of society today and how the reliance is on technology and not the dependency for relying on others.   

While researching empathy for my Service Philosophy I found this talk from Simon Sinek, although I couldn't use the video for my Service Philosophy, I still found the video a sensational discussion for leaders to follow.  

I wrote this poem in the first year of the Leadership tract for my PhD, while looking for something else in my final paper I realized that this poem is as true today as the day I wrote it:
Where I’m From
I am from the cornfields of Iowa, on a tractor plowing the fields, a John Deere “A” slowly drawing up dust as it travels down the country roads.
I am from the ocean, crushing against the ship, in the dark of night, thinking of my loved ones home safely in the states.
I am from the soil, sprouting a stalk, and feeding the world at the end of harvest.
I am from a small dirt ball diamond behind the school playing ball, milking the cows, being steadfast and true, with my grandpa and dad all the while.
I am from ten toes and ten fingers, seeing my son’s from birth to manhood, cherishing my grandson.
I am from the question of life, and the pursuit for the answer every day.
I am from Iowa and the farm, sitting in a tree stand, rounding up the chickens for slaughter.
I am from the bottom of the ocean, to the top of the “Rockies”, listening to Justin sing about his life, in the bleachers in left field, to the crowds at Kinnick Stadium.  I am the “Immaculate Reception”, and the “do you believe in miracles”. 
From the back lawn playing football with my friends and family, laughing and engaging as we play, all the while thinking we are getting away with something while our parents are in the house.
I am from that crooked fence, that I and my grandfather built, while drinking beers and laughing and joking all the while.
I am from milk and pea soup and singing Kiss songs to my Grandma each night after school.

Love this Ted talk.  The why is the leader's vision, without the vision, you won't have the why!

I love how Brandon breaks down the six aspects of leadership.  I believe the two keys are envision and empowerment, without a vision, your leaders will be in a black hole, drowning in the abyss.   But empowerment is the KEY!  

What is more troubling to me is that this discussion needs to take place in the first place.  I am very humbled listening to Frank Stephen's testifying in front of Congress that his life is important, as well as all Down Syndrome individuals.    
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I am humbled to be in the presence of such a powerful leader!

POWERFUL!