LEAD or FOLLOW

I heard there is a third choice - Get Out of The Way. I don't subscribe to this theory, yet Lead or Follow are interesting to me. Typically, people are doing one or the other. Are there others? Let me know what you think.

The reasons for this are my thoughts around cars, drivers and technology. Also, the transition to driving slower, and being more respectful to others and myself in the process. How many have noticed how easy it is, especially on an expressway, for the speed to creep up as cars pass or tail gate. Does it seem that you are alone, as cars whiz by?

I thought about this last week. I managed to maintain my speed, except for a couple situations. One was to allow cars to merge onto the expressway.

I thought about leading and not being a follower, and, again, the quote appeared -- "Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi.

Are you slowing down to simply save money? If so that is wonderful!!!! Have you noticed anything else?

Personally, I'm going to continue to stay in touch with my personal values. One is to allow others to do what they choose, yet stay on course with what I choose. Also, I continue to learn from the posts on this blog, and watching and listening to others.

Just today, I had an appointment at 10:00 a.m. Let me set the stage. Stayed up late last night, Friday evening. Today is Saturday. Thus, I did not set my alarm. YIKES, the clock said 9:27 a.m. as my eyes first opened. My initial thought was -- I'll never make it. Yet, I jumped into my jeans, etc., brushed the teeth, slapped on a bit of eye makeup, took a minute to acknowledge the location and direction I was to travel in, and got in the car. The first thing I did was focus on my breathing, and took a deep breath to relax and get centered. The second thing was to thank God for the day, and to let him know I would honor him and myself, and not consider the roads a race track.

I maintained my speed, and arrived right on time. Regardless if gas prices slip a bit. I will stay on course.

Enjoy the day!!!!!!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The picture of Cumming Nature Center is real. I looked at the post, and to me, it looked unreal.

First, my VA and I are trying a few things with the blog.

Second, do you notice something about the different sides of the path? One side has green, the other is all brown. I thought that very interesting, and I did not think to ask about it. I don't remember that from a visit 15 years ago. This picture was taken during a visit the last part of June of this year.

Please be patient while we grow, experiment and change. Oh, not too much change to not be me, simply checking out possibilities and other "stuff."

Thank you all - and, hey---- have a nice day!

"How The Way We Talk Can Change The Way We Work"

The title line contains the name of a book by Robert Kegan & Lisa Laskow Lahey. I am reading it right now. It is not a new book.

If you are a person who is working and grumbling, I suggest this book. If you are a grumbling manager or manage a group of people who are grumbling and complaining, I suggest you read this book. I have not gotten past the first chapter, and I want to re-read it. This book may have to be a purchase.

Even those people who complain with a sense of humor. The one everyone laughs at and with. Complaints, etc. will undermine productivity, creativity, and the process of simply finding joy in every second.

I'm still around, simply into projects and the summer. Tennis lessons, bible study, coaching clients, are all things I truly enjoy. I am very grateful. How about you?

Suggestion: What are you grateful for? Consider choosing 5 things for your home environment. Then, separately, choose 5 things for your work environment. If not difficult - pick 5 more. Difficult? Pick 5, then wait 5 days, revisit those 5. Then be more clear, more concise on what you are actually grateful for. It might change. Don't let this be difficult in itself. Whatever pops into the head the first time through, write it down.

INTEGRITY

Synonyms for Integrity: Honesty, truth, reliability, honor, veracity, to name a few.

Personally, I love that word, and wonder, from my perspective, where it might have disappeared to.

Integrity is a "value." Values are a conversation I have with clients. I coach to assist first their recognizing and determining their values and then to take steps to connect and identify with each value. Values seldom change; however, they may change in priority.

My recent observation on this missing integrity topic appeared with my work in real estate. There are many county clerks in this country who consider receiving checks and money more important than the validity of the recording document(s).

It appears to matter not what document they receive. the first step is cash the check, record it and move on. If an error is discovered, there is no accountability. We received it, we just record it.

One "East" county recorded a property physically located in the "West" county. They also cashed a check payable to West ______ County. Unfortunately, yes, the papers were sent to the wrong county. Yet, the error was realized when the "East" county returned the recorded documents with a note stating that they should be recorded in the "West" county. The money was not returned. A new check had to be drawn, and the documents then forwarded to the "West" county for recording.

Another example. A tax payment was sent to a county with an accompanying letter. The letter provided the account number, borrower's name, and address. The account number had a number wrong. The mistake was not the county's fault as they "just" look at the account number. The tax payment was credited to the wrong person's account. It was 4 years later that this mistake appeared. That was odd in itself. However, the county would not assist, as that is their policy - to simply look at the account number. The person who received the "windfall" tax payment in error was eventually contacted and with INTEGRITY, they returned the money to its source.

Another word is "accountability" or simply doing what is just. Perhaps this might be another example of being -- right and being wrong. Who really wins?

It is a very slippery slope when an answer is, "We just......"

What have you noticed?

Suggestion: Simply, be aware.

REAL or FICTION

Recently I forwarded an email message that I had received. I don't do it often. However, I do receive quite a bunch of emails that claim to be written by this person, or this fact is true, etc. etc. When I forwarded a recent email to my son, he promptly returned a couple links that I would like to share with my readers and others.

You might have seen one purportedly written by George Carlin recently.

If you question the validity of an email you receive here are a couple links that may help.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp

or

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/carlin.htm

THOUGHTS

WOW -- Thank you to all who post, I continue to say sharing is wonderful. Roy, thanks so much for not only volunteering to do the "math" or statistics on slowing down, yet, also, acknowledging you are busy and will be doing it. That was so exciting for me to see. THANK YOU!!!

Also, the comment from Jimbo regarding "competing" with his wife to save gas. BRILLIANT! How can you NOT -- WIN. Simply BRILLIANT. There was a previous comment regarding some friends trying to slow down. How about anyone who is into being technical, or likes competition, or...... begin a fun contest with neighbors, friends. Who can make less stops at the gas station? Save the most gas? Take the savings and have a party. Save it for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, or another worthy cause - and, each of you is very worthy. Yet, there is something about sharing.

I finally went last evening, mainly because it was convenient. I went to the station I wanted to go to in MY time. Not the closest, most expensive, simply because I had to.

OK - and I did chuckle. I made a statement and a bunch of you have called me on it. I will begin to write something more substantial. Yet, right now -- Time for a snack and to bed.

Sweet dreams if in the East - have a nice evening or.. in the West - and in general, laugh, love and simply be joyful. Because, - well, why not, it feels so much better than anything else. I thank you all SO much for your support and your support for each other. GREAT job.

Cheers!

ME - WRITE A BOOK?

WOW - I'm flattered, yet, as always, here goes curiosity. What would the book look like? I actually have a couple ideas, and one day, I just might produce a book. Yet as the comments rolled in recently (THANK YOU to all of you - it truly is wonderful to hear, and you likely have no idea how your comments help others too), I began to think about books, in general.

I took a look at my book shelves and discovered more than one that I had purchased with the idea of likely doing something with the contents. And, there they sit, somewhat incomplete in a fashion. Sentences are underlined, notes taken, days passed, and they were put on the shelf.

What a marvelous summer project I have outlined for myself. I am going to choose a book, then pick it down to the bones. Rather like sucking the meat off a bar-b-q pork rib.

And, when I do write the book that is rolling around inside of me, it likely will be announced here first.

Happy Summer!!!!

P.S. Oh, going slower truly does work - It has been almost 2 weeks since I filled up, and I'm still going, likely into Sunday before I will need to fill up again. That will be two weeks, actually. I consider it a real victory when I can't remember when I was last in a gas station. Oh, I have a Honda Civic. YIPEE!!!!!! Another vantage point, is that I saved some gas for someone else to use. Some people truly do need a large vehicle, yet others...... Plus, I'm not losing any time - in fact, I have more time to - you might have guessed it .......

"Squeeze joy from each second........, "

READ A CLASSIC THIS SUMMER, OR?

Happy day after July 4th!!!!

I am enjoying a long weekend, with fun, removing tolerations (clearing up papers, moved furniture, and making discoveries, such as - wow, that is where it went.......) Basically, lightening up.

Here is a website -- gutenberg.org, if you are looking to read a classic on a hot summer day and the library might be closed.

"There are over 25,000 free books in the Project Gutenberg Online Book Catalog. A grand total of over 100,000 titles are available at Project Gutenberg Partners, Affiliates and Resources. If you don't live in the United States, please check the copyright laws of your country before downloading or redistributing a book."

A-Tidbit is designed to offer tidbits - and this is an example of another.

Best wishes for a very sweet day! You are the designer of your day - create, create, create - and, don't hesitate to share with others. Let us know what you are doing, you just might be the inspiration for another.

Kayaking might be in my day today -

Namaste

THINK GREEN - TOPIC D

It also, seems to me, by slowing down it is rather like --- playing fair in the sand box again!!!

What I have noticed by slowing down when driving:

MORE $$ - MORE Creative Time - MORE enjoyment while driving

LESS Gas Used - LESS Personal Stress - LESS Stress on the Brakes and Tires (change lanes less and don't use the brakes as often) - LESS time at the gas station and mechanic - LESS chance of being involved in an accident. It also provides more time to react or respond when needed.

These are advantages I noticed by simply driving slower. This might not seen like "Topic D" as I mentioned going slower before. Yet again, it also is about playing nice in the sand box.

Suggestion: It seems somewhat logical - fill up less often -- will save money and time spent at the gas station. Both are valuable for me. It might not seem like much at the moment - yet over a year? Anyone want to do the math? Not my favorite. There must be a reader out there who "loves" to analyze or run numbers. Please give it a go for all of us

And, I did not change my habits other than slowing down. Last weekend, I drove 45 minutes each way to play golf.

Next post - Leader vs.