Friday Review: Kindness
What acts of kindness have you witnessed or displayed over the last year? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade when we are old
“If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade when we are old.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, 16th Century British statesman
Image from Unsplash by BBC Creative
Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future success.
Here is evidence of its supporting role on cognitive, social, and emotional development:
- It helps children develop foundational skills in reading, math, self-control, and positive relationships.
- It improves societal outcomes such as high school graduation rates, years of education completed, earnings, and long-term impacts on life achievement.
EXERCISE:
Who are the little ones in your life and in your communities?
How are you playing a role in assuring that they get all the support possible to benefit them well into adulthood?
Moral authority comes from following universal principles
“Moral authority comes from following universal principles like honesty, integrity, and treating people with respect.”
—Stephen Covey, 20th century American educator, author, businessman, and speaker
Image from Unsplash by Etactics Inc
I looked up the definitions of Moral Authority and Power to see where and how they are being applied in our society.
Here is what I discovered:
Moral Authority is the influence one has based on ethical principles and character, allowing them to inspire or persuade others by appealing to what is right and good. It is internally generated, fragile, and most continuously earned through trust and authentic behavior.
Power, in contrast, often refers to the ability to enforce actions or decisions through formal authority or control over people and resources. It can be granted by position or title, and is more about control than influence.
While power can compel action, moral authority persuades through ethical appeal.
EXERCISE:
How do you react and respond to individuals with moral authority versus power in your personal and professional lives?
What approaches do you find work best to influence or persuade others to follow your lead?
When we can lay down our fear and anger and choose responses other than aggression,
“When we can lay down our fear and anger and choose responses other than aggression, we create the conditions for bringing out the best in us humans.”
—Margaret Wheatley, American writer, speaker, and management consultant
Image from Unsplash by Ditto Bowo
To what degree are these times bringing out the worst in us as humans?
How much fear, anger, and aggression have you seen in the media and your communities over the past several months?
Consider Victor Frankl‘s statement: Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you choose to keep a cool and level head in these turbulent times?
How can you mindfully choose more appropriate responses to the hotheads around you, to bring out the best in yourself and others?
When we teach, we learn
When we teach, we learn. Honor your students. They too are sources of wisdom.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Kenny Eliason
As a senior in high school, I knew teaching and being a lifelong learner was in my DNA. Throughout my adult life, every position I’ve held had a teaching and learning component.
Now in my 32nd years as a business and personal coach, I’ve come to realize and honor the great contributions that return to me like a boomerang when I do my best to support and guide others forward.
EXERCISE:
In what areas of your life do you support others as a teacher, mentor, or coach?
In what ways have your students, mentees, and “coachees” made significant contributions to your life journey?
Friday Review: Joy
Friday Review: Joy
What brings Joy to your days? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“The rising sun blesses my mind with joy. The setting sun blesses my heart with peace.”
“Joy is the most enduring cosmetic.”
“The right time was yesterday. The best time is now.”
“The right time was yesterday. The best time is now.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Kaja Kadlecova
Consider the good habits you admire in others. Who are the people in your world that eat right, exercise regularly, and call their mom even when it’s not her birthday or other special occasion?
Many of us have developed an array of handy-dandy excuses for putting off the tasks that we know will better our lives in the long run.
Where do you fit on the continuum of procrastinator to the folks who do things now?
EXERCISE:
Two books that may prove useful if this quote rings true for you are The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink. Continue reading
In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities
“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy — and if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”
—Warren Buffett, American businessman, investor, and philanthropist
Image from Amazon
Warren Buffett has a pretty good record as an investor over many decades. A critical aspect in selecting great companies is to invest in the character and capacities of their leaders.
Hiring super smart people with boundless energy is certainly important. Buffett is adamant that the linchpin quality for these companies and their leaders — especially during challenging times — is integrity.
Without honesty and consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values, things eventually fall apart.
EXERCISE:
How important is integrity in your hiring decisions and in those with whom you work?
How do you demonstrate personal and professional integrity in your words and actions to be a sure-fire hire in your communities?
Consider reading the book Linchpin by Seth Godin for other ideas on this critical subject.
We are living on the planet as if we have another one to go to
“We are living on the planet as if we have another one to go to.”
—Terri Swearingen, winner of the 1997 Goldman Environmental Prize
Image from Unsplash by NASA
At our current consumption rates, Earth’s natural resources are at significant risk of depletion over the next 100 years. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas could be exhausted by 2060 if current trends continue.
Water resources are also under threat, with global demand projected to increase by 50% by 2050.
Additionally, mineral and ore consumption may triple by 2050, putting further strain on the availability of building materials and resources for developing technology products.
EXERCISE:
Given that there is no “Planet B” and moving all of us to Mars is not a viable option, what can you do today to make an impact for the good of our precious world?
Consider signing up to The Daily Difference Newsletter to see what others around the world are doing.
Trusting in your natural intelligence and capacities
Trusting in your natural intelligence and capacities to navigate life can be a source of great confidence.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Courtney Cook
How often do you lean on others to make it through your day? How frequently do others lean on you to do the same?
Regardless of your answer, if you are reading this post, you’ve made it this far and will likely do so in the future. What have you accomplished along the way?
What obstacles and setbacks have your worked around and overcome?
Exploring these questions may have offered you a booster shot of confidence by recognizing your natural intelligence and capacities to navigate life.
How can you remind yourself in the future when self-doubt creeps in?
EXERCISE:
What internal and external support structures can you use to maintain and expand your store of confidence?
How can you serve as a coach or mentor to support the confidence of others in your communities?