As you know, today is Independence Day, the Fourth of July. It has become a time to take vacations at the beach, spend time with our families, sacrifice chickens, beef and pork on the grill. Just relax and enjoy the day. Sort of a Christmas in July, if you will, without the gifts. I remember growing up in this “mill” town and almost everyone was employed at either Russell Mills, or Avondale Mills. During the week of the fourth, both companies shutdown and everyone would take the week off to be with their families and friends. Oh, there were a dedicated few who would remain behind to do maintenance and clean, but for the most part, the buildings were basically empty, the parking lots were vacant, and the sounds of industry was silenced for 7 days. I won’t say those were the good ole’ days, because we tend to only remember the good times and forget the bad times in the past, however those days were pretty special. As I ponder those days, I recall the men and women who led the charge to keep thousands of people employed and making a living for their families. Those leaders, along with others, sacrificed their own self-interest to serve with joy, love and kindness. They worked for the community. They united the community. They thought of others by keeping the ideals of teamwork, consideration of others, and unselfishness before them. They understood the breakdown of the word and meaning of community – “Come” “Unite”. Come and unite, then we can do bigger and better things for ourselves and others, we can stretch and grow as a community, and as a team, we can make our world better. Where are those leaders today? Gone? Vanished? I don’t think so. I believe they walk among us. There are just too few of them now, but the good news is we can change. We have a choice. To gain our “independence” as a leader in our community, our world, we must continue to grow. Growth requires discipline, obedience, and relentless concentration on our part to be significant as a leader. You can become successful as a leader, however becoming significant is what we should strive to become. Success looks inward, significance looks outward and it involves helping others. If I had to choose a one quality to have as a leader I would choose significance over success, every time. It shows where your heart is and that you will accept the burden of responsibility for serving others. Andy Stanley said it best when he said, “After all, aren’t we just ladies and gentlemen serving other ladies and gentlemen.” Independence Day. A day to reflect on all those who came before us to provide the freedoms we have. To reflect on the people who were/are significance and gave/give us hope Those leaders who blazed the trail, more so today, to reduce the difficulties and allow us to follow later in life. Great men and women, great leaders. I encourage you today to honor those who came before and those among us, who are serving us, sacrificing, continuing forward at all cost, so that we could enjoy and share the freedoms we have today. Honor you! John 13:15 Have a wonderful day, JD
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 12:53:04 +0000
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