Be a leader.
Speak up for what you believe.
Find the fire.
Grab your friends’ hands and start a revolution.
This earth was meant to be a playground for us little humans. Get out and play! Live! Follow your passion! Show others, while you’re at it!
Lead a group of teenagers. Show them how to work together. Better yet, show them how to lead.
Coach soccer.
Request a promotion to be a manager at your workplace. Make a bigger impact.
Show your stuff.
I know you have it in you.
What if Martin Luther King, Jr. decided he was simply too tired to lead? What if he said, “No way I want to do this, I might offend someone.”?
What if Harvey Milk decided that, well, it was just too hard to convince people that all people have rights? What if he said, “People might not like me if they find out I’m gay.”?
What if Gandhi decided that he was just too hungry to lead? What if he said, “Forget about this, throw me a burger…”?
Having participated in loads of both team and individual sports, I can say with certainty, that even though there were often designated leaders of a groups or teams, each person on the team lead their own ‘department’ or skill (e.g., point guard, anchor of relay team, catcher, etc.).
Regarding individual sports, leadership roles are evident for each person.
Pass by a struggling runner, tell that person, “If you’re upright, you’re alright. Keep on keepin’ on!” A random stranger said that to me at mile 19 with 7.2 miles to go (I was a hurting unit) during my first marathon. That race turned out my fastest overall time to date.
Show someone how to transition from the swim to the bike, better yet, get a group together to practice.
Show a group to draw or play the guitar or meditate. Get a group of people together for a poetry slam.
Show up! Grab the reins! Take charge! You have it in you.
Live what you believe, and better yet, organize an event around what you believe. Raise your hand instead of sitting in the back row.
C’mon people! Time is a wasting!
You have the tools you need if you dare to be who you really are—a creative and natural-born leader.
When’s the last time you complained about something? Well, fix it.
Tired of being tired and out of shape? Grab your friend’s hand and lead the two of you to form a larger frisbee team, or to a gym, or for a hike.
Tired of decisions being made in government that you don’t agree with? Lead the way to incite change!
Tired of social injustice? Lead the way with others to a better world!
What do you believe? When will you take the reins and bless us with your leadership prowess?
Come on in, the water’s warm. What say you, fellow heroes and heroines?
Create Your Day!
Acknowledgements: This post was inspired by Taylor Mali, who I discovered through Tim at 360 Degree Self. I feel about leadership the way Taylor feels about teaching. I think Taylor and I may have been separated at birth, or so, I’d like to think. (ha) Thank you, Tim. Your posts continue to give me goosebumps and inspiration.
Yes, Lori! Yes!! Goddamn it, I will lead!
Where do we want to go again?
Just kidding
I think you’d make an awesome motivational speaker. With everything that you’ve done, and every challenge that you have met head-on and conquered, and with this kind f fire, you’d be awesome. This post is proof positive that you can fire people up.
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..These Dreams
Hey Fireman!
Funny you mention that motivational-speaker bit – I actually desperately wanted to be one in my 20s, but I didn’t feel that I had any real “schtuff” to back up my fire.
Maybe I’m getting to the point where I’ve earned my stripes and can get my arse out there. The funny thing is that I think I may have also fired myself up writing this! ha
Like my fireman friend, Bill (yeah Fireman Bill, no joke there), once said, “Time to start livin’ or time to start dyin’.”
You rock, Jay! And, thanks for making me laugh, yet again, “Where do we want to go again?” too funny!
Hi Lori
When you are up to something you cannot help but become like the pide piper, people want to follow to have what you have.
That is the kind of leadership I feel comfortable with as it comes natural and people seek it out.
For me natural leaders are people who do something that is bigger than themselves and who need people to help them with it.
I have been an apprentice of some of those leaders and they are so good to be with.
Maybe one day I lead my own tribe, however I am not settng out to do so, my main aim is to be up to something myself.
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Accessing the wealth that has me BE a wealthy base camp.
Hi Wilma!
Agreed, I appreciate how you phrased that, “doing something bigger than selves.” True!
Wilma, I believe you are already leading your own tribe because you are up to something yourself worthy of others’ attention.
Great to see you today.
Lori:
Wow, awesome post…I feel ready to take on the world! Seriously, you bring up some great points: namely stop complaining, stop making excuses and do something about what is bugging you. Oh, and be a leader dammit! That so cool and powerful. The picture in this post is great, as well.
I think all of us need a little arse kicking and you did it in a friendly, supportive way. Thank you, also, for the shout out!
Tim´s last blog ..National Poetry Day Poem: What Teachers Make
Hi Tim,
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, since you’re the one who inspired me to write it (in a good way!).
You are a leader, Tim. You are leading others to find amazing talent and inspiration. Thank you for starting your blog and inspiring others!
Enjoy your weekend!
Just a side note, most of the leaders you chose as examples died violent deaths. Was that intentional? Lol!
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..Saturday Spew And Shout Out: October 10th 2009.
Ha! I did think of that, actually, Gordie. I’m glad you picked up on that. Well, not so much the “violent” part, but the fact that most of the people I mentioned knew the trouble they were stirring, and continued to lead what they believed anyway.
I think it is amazing when people find their deepest passions, to lead or die tryin’.
I can only hope to be able to have their fortitude if I were in a similar position.
Thanks for your comment, Gordie!
Wow, you weren’t kidding, we really WERE on the same wavelength!
While I’ve always been independent, I haven’t ever really been a leader. I could definitely use some improvement in that area.
Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..How to Sabotage Your Income