Every day I’m encouraged as a leader, knowing that patience is practiced daily in understanding the life lessons I received.

 

There were some tough life lessons this past weekend as I’m praying for the families lost during the tornados in Rolling Fork.  It’s a town of about 2,000 people near Mississippi’s western border.

 

We know that when the tornado touched down, it nearly wiped out the small Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork.   At least 26 people were killed, dozens injured, and homes and businesses smashed.

 

Although, there was no severe damage to my home this past weekend other than the power being knocked off.

 

I know everyday people are experiencing life lessons about what to do next.

 

We are all leaders in some capacity in our lives, whether it’s our businesses/organizations, jobs, household, or ourselves.

 

As John Maxwell has said before, “Leadership is Influence.”  You don’t have to be in a leadership position or title; we all influence others.

 

Some people are putting themselves in harm’s way with the storms.

 

Leaders come in different shapes, sizes, and forms because we can’t do everything.

 

Each of us must understand our capabilities as a leader.

 

The question is how I can add value to you.  Therefore, in the end, our influence on others can expand.

 

The fact that each of us is created differently means no two people are alike; therefore, how we treat each other is important.

 

Many tragedies happen daily (the small Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork) as we hear different messages referring to leadership and life lessons.

 

You and I know that the Bible is full of leadership and life lessons.

 

It’s also full of subliminal messages, providing experiences of others, so you and I don’t have to make those mistakes in our own lives.

 

Nevertheless, we are responsible for overseeing our own lives, and how we live them is up to us.

 

We can carry grudges or move beyond for our internal healing.

 

Each of the underlining paragraphs I’ve spoken about is a following in my mind, with individuals that like to resurrect the “Automatic Negative Thoughts” (ANTS) which  I’ve written about before.

 

Maybe one must ask whose approval a person seeks is the question.

 

Nevertheless, it’s a rhetorical question that is tied to faith.  (The things seen or unseen.)

 

We’ll all will pass from this life at some point; therefore, be kind and love the life you were designed to live.

 

I received inspiration this past weekend listening to my Priest’s homily as he spoke about “Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton.”

 

Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven (Official Video) – YouTube Music – Bing video

There are so many life lessons embedded in “Tears in Heaven.”

 

The other was our closing song, “High Above Our Way by Steve Angrisano.”

 

It’s a contemporary prayerful song.

 

(29) High Above Our Way – YouTube

Being kind is a decision we must make in our words and actions.

 

I know that I have given you plenty to think about up until now, and some may choose to see the glass half full, the others half empty.

 

Having studied clinical mental health counseling and read various phycology books, I realized that many intentionally will bring yesterday into today.

 

I try not to do that as a leader.

 

There’s a saying that we should enjoy life today; yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.  Said another way through Mother Teresa “Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow has not yet come.  We have only today.  Let us begin.”

 

An event will happen today that will shape your tomorrow.

 

How each of us begins our day is up to us.  Maybe you have a specific routine with a calendar of events, or maybe you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person.

 

John Maxwell wrote a book, “How Successful People Think, Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.”

 

Like many self-help books I’ve read, it’s up to the reader to decide what works best for them.

 

Sometimes, you must look inside out and figure out which road you travel.

 

As you awoke this morning, I’m sure you received a different perspective about life and how you want to deal with it looking inside out.

 

The survivors of the small Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork also see things differently.

 

There used to be a slang of “I feel you” meaning you’ve had that experience or when someone says something that resonates with you.

 

I’m not asking you to agree or disagree.  I will say that I believe wisdom comes with age, and let’s just say that I see things a lot differently today than yesterday.

 

Sometimes it takes being hit with a proverbial stick several times before it sinks into our subconscious minds.

 

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick: Meaning Behind the Proverb | YourDictionary

You don’t need me to say that speaking softly will get you far.

 

Nowadays, if you must carry a big stick, it’s only a metaphor.

 

We all want to do the right things or at least what’s right for each situation.

 

Whether you believe in heaven or not, I know I can’t get you into heaven.

 

I can only be responsible for my actions by looking inside out.

 

I’ve been adamant about thinking inside out and reflecting since Ash Wednesday through my writing and today is no different.  Knowing that you can’t please everyone and shouldn’t try is a separate message.

 

However, many of us must learn these life lessons the hard way when faced with unwanted comments.

 

11 Simple Reminders That You Can’t Please Everyone – Minimalism Made Simple

As I bring this to a close, I challenge you to read more about how successful people think.

 

I also know that we have friends and family with physical and mental challenges daily, seeing life lessons differently from healthy ones.

 

I love the song: Better than Bless by Louise “Candy” Davis, which puts an exclamation on what I wrote.

 

I’m honored knowing that the Gospel Singer Louise ‘Candy’ Davis, who passed November 12, 2005, left a legacy of music here in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

Better than Bless by Louise “Candy” Davis. – Search (bing.com)

Every day I challenge myself to have a good day, regardless of the life lessons I encounter.

 

By no means am I telling you to live a life of a hermit; however, we need to spend more time alone to challenge ourselves every day to have better introspection.  I believe it’s through solitude and silence you can get to know yourself better.

 

What you decide to do today is up to you, and in the end, I know you will make the right decision if there is one to be made as a leader.

 

Remember, the choice is yours. Will you challenge yourself to have a good day, regardless of the life lessons you encounter?