Follow the Leader

When I was in school when it was time to go out and play in the school yard or go to eat in the cafeteria, the usual drill was boys line up in one line and girls in another. Usually in size order I was pretty close to the front of the line. At that point I doubt if I thought of myself as a leader except that for size order that's where I ended up.

Throughout my life I have been put into situations where I have been in charge of various things. Some by choices, other's not so much. We all have those opportunities to put forth our ideas or beliefs that we hope others willingly will follow.

I can remember my parents saying their are two types of people: leaders and followers. Their constant definition was that leaders gather information, present it to others and hopefully the rest of the people involved will go along with it, without too much question. The followers didn't always care what the information was they just followed everyone else either because they didn't care to provide input or to be a part of the decision makers group they just wanted to fit in. How many times did we here, "If John jumps of the roof are you going to do it?"

This past Sunday the pastors' sermon was entitled: "Follow the Leader". It was very fitting that the message was such due to the last several weeks being bombarded with the choices of leadership issues in my life.

As children growing up our "leaders" are our parents or caregivers.  We are taught in the bible to honor our mother and father. At what point does that sometimes change? When they are unable too? When what they do may not be in their best interest? It's a slippery slope and the elephant in the room that most either don't want to face or feel it is not their place too.

In politics we are constantly told to pick a party. In the last several elections it has become very difficult to pick any specific party. It's a grocery list of items that all make up how my beliefs are and I seriously don't feel all they provide is in my personal best interest.

I often mention while driving around where I live and I see a pasture full of cows, when one starts walking do you notice the other cows often  follow? I have been told that cows are not very intelligent.

Now with social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and all the others we "follow" each other. A little strange? Maybe. Times are definitely different. I don't want someone to just "follow" me I want them to engage in conversation, comment and not just "Like". Especially when I am aware not everyone agrees.

If by following something or someone goes against how you morally feel, my advice is you better really question why? Don't do it because it is the easy way out or because you think other people will think better of you. It usually works against you and it becomes really difficult to clean up the mess that is created in the end and believe me as the leader all the negatives will fall on your shoulders because the followers will go on to someone or something else.

Lead with the right foot or in my case my left foot.  

Phone Calls from Above

How often  have you picked up the phone and no one answers? That happens often now with robo calling, more than we care to waste our time with I'm sure. Recently, author Mitch Albom who wrote "5 People you Meet in Heaven" and" For One More Day" has written a new book dealing with the heavens. "The First Phone Call from Heaven" is about a small town in Michigan and their residents who suddenly get phone calls from loved one's who have passed away.

They say you write about what you know, but since Mitch Albom is definitely alive I wonder how he comes up with all these heavenly related stories.

I have heard of people who have crossed over and then came back but you can really either only believe or take their word what heaven is really like.

During his interview about his new book, Mr. Albom was asked who would be one of the first one's you would want to hear from? His was "Tuesday's with Morrie" professor Morrie Schwartz from his alma mater Brandeis University. He said his first question would be, "Well how do you think I've done?".

I really pondered this myself. Although I haven't read his new book yet it made me really think about all the people who have passed on that either I didn't get to have that one last conversation with. Not that I would now expect any answers to any of my burning questions but many of the people at the top of the list have been gone for many years.

My grandpa died when I was still a teen so he would definitely be one of the top on the list. Probably the first thing I would say would be "Now I really understand". The wisdom of the years that have passed since his death puts so much of my life growing up into a little clearer perspective on things he did or didn't share.

Another person would be my biological mother. We had so few actually conversations before her death, Whether or not she would actually answer the questions I would pose, well I'll never know.  One of my co-workers in one of my first positions was a second mom during my period of "awakening". We lost touch toward the end of her life and I always regretted not talking as often as we should have.

I guess until I actually read the book and come to my own conclusions on the story outcome my one piece of advice I have even before reading it is this...True friends no matter how many quotes you may read elsewhere you stay in touch with. Face to face conversation is so much more than a text or e-mail. Even a quick hand written note means more than nothing at all. It's one thing if there are miles between you but believe me the effort that is made means so much. Time is precious but so are friendships.

Don't sit by the phone and wait for that call from above, make the resolution to reach out and touch your friends--they will love you for it. 

In N Out--Not Always the Hamburger Place

If someone said this to me my first thought would be the best hamburgers in the world in my mind. If you get the chance to try one most definitely a must also the home cut fries are the best I have ever had.  But seriously folks The In N Out logo is a yellow right arrow. Just a basic concept but when I thought of every In N Out that I have been to they are all on the right side of the street. I am sure there is probably a marketing reason for this.

A little like 2013 was for me. You can do everything in your power the right way but something wrong sometimes happens.  What can be right for me and those around me may not always be what is right for someone else. Some people seem to take the wrong path in life and must hit rock bottom to land on the right road that will send them on a positive road.

 Our business is partially based on what road we take, sometimes we have to go around and around in circles but eventually we get to our final destination.  (UPS drivers are instructed to make more frequent right turns than left).

As a parent or grandparent you try and teach them all right from wrong and that consequences are a part of growing up.

2014 may prove to be the year of making things right, going the right way and righting the wrongs in our life.

If you are in the area of In N Out Burger. Stay to the right of the road, make the right turn and order a double-double with cheese and home cut fries. You will be glad you did.