I said: How ya doin, Tim?”

He said: “Any better and I’d cancel my OHIP!” (OHIP is our Ontario Health Insurance Plan)

Tom Redmond

Why? This is the crux and the core of what all the other messages are about. Leadership is essentially about mastery of self and this message shows just that in the real, living, and sometimes ‘trench warfare’ that the battle for the mind can be. I must say that you and Bec sound like a formidable team that you have met these recent challenges in the way you have. To have such fortitude of mind and strength of spirit can only come from being vigilent and working hard to exercise the mind muscle constantly and always, so credit to you for seeking to be one of those people in the world that people look at and say ‘wow, I wish I was like him, he’s so ‘up’ all the time’.

Just on that, I did want to make one comment along the lines of what Steve pointed out. I guess one of the goals of leadership that of course you have often spoken on yourself is to bring others with us and sometimes that means a ‘coming down to their level’ or ‘meeting them where they are at’… that bloke Jesus was a champion on this stuff.

Of course this doesn’t mean you have to get down in the dumps with them but often to really draw someone out of their mire means they have to know of your own vulnerabilities and trials that you are conquering too and to know that you haven’t found it all so easy yourself - and I think this is crucial. You would have hurt, you would have cried, you would have struggled through these challenges. I think people like your friend need to know this - and well, I realise you may well have been vulnerable with him on these points to try and ‘bring him out’. But the thing is that people like this who are stuck in that state of mind, do see the world from a victim’s view and need to realise there are others who have had the same and got through it.

I guess what I’m saying is that vulnerability in leadership I think is just as important as bold, forward, positive movement and that sometimes we need to vocalise these challenges and show that we hurt before we conquer and set off again.

Having said (all) that… there are some who simply will not drag themselves up, and that whilst we should never give up on them, to drag our thinking down all the time does nothing for this world that needs leaders of attitude and fortitude.

and Kirk, this message comes from someone who has looked at you in the past as being a little untouchable at times because you were just so on top of everything - knowing full well you would have challenge in your life but maybe just needing to be able to see it a bit more and know it is touching you and drawing on your energies, yet despite your hurt that you are feeling it, experiencing it, then moving on.

And Kirk, my heartfelt condolences on your difficult losses.

Peace,
Daniel

But I really, really liked your T4D today, so I thought I’d let you know how much I appreciated it, because us Aussies like to “under-emphasise” everything. Hell, our weekend could consist of getting stuck on a deserted tropical island with - Heidi Klum or Eva Longoria would be my choice, get asked “how was your weekend” and we’d say something like “not bad” or “yeah mate, it was alright”. I think when we do that we sell ourselves short.

So I’m going to make sure I have a brilliant day - carpe diem !

thanks mate

Marcel Welter

Not to detract from the sentiment. I whole heartedly agree that we are masters of our own fate and that when all is said and done I am where I am as a result of the choices that I have made. It hit me while reading this thought. We positve thinkers bent on exceeding the present. Those of us that are searching for the next handhold on the cliff of life. In our quest to reach the summit. As we climb and have what seem like random encounters during our assent. Do we look at these “bemoaners” as some one to avoid or as another rung in the search for happiness Take advantage of these opportunities. You may be the turning point in the “bemoaners” journey to the lighter side of life. Ultimatley it is their choice. Be the segue.

Thank you for sharing!
Gina

I love you MAN!
Nathan

Regards,
Phil Downs
Downs & Company, Inc.

Love ya man!!
Rich Hand
Executive Director of Membership