The choice to look down on others is a public health crisis. It is far more deadly than most would even consider as it robs us of the ability to respect and serve. As we destroy social links, relationships fail, dependency soars, and the elect elite emerge as morality police enforcing their world view on those without power.

Opportunity and elevation arise from a helping hand and sometimes a shove at just the right time. In individual achievement and liberty the spark of inspiration is fanned into a flame. Virtue and respect flow from results not signals. It is a choice and a profound signal to include but the virtue lies in the acceptance and love not the signaling and public affirmation.

The public choice to demean and demagogue, with its associated escalating division, destroys by planting and then nourishing insidious pride above all.

When a parent, mentor, teacher or elder sacrifices the wellbeing of their child, family, and student for their own well-being a tragic betrayal occurs. It is a blasphemy to the natural and ordained order. The wound created is deep and persistent.

When society exercises this same power collectively terrible things transpire. Terrible terrible things.
​
#musing on the importance of family and responsibility and sacrifice for the future. Leaders lead by example at home first and foremost.

It is difficult if not impossible to find oxygen to breathe elegance, beauty, integrity, excellence and love in a room filled with the fires of hatred, discord, disgust, and demagoguery. As artists, we have a role to play. We must use emotions to influence but not inflame. Fire burns and consumes. It destroys its creator and becomes a living but dead thing. We must extinguish the flames, and then we can begin the process to build. We can make our world great. Will we?
Virtue flows from a focus on higher things. We must stand and be counted but we must stand on a foundation that is solid rather than molten. We as a society have elevated virtue signaling above virtue, and as a result, everything is burning. That is a real challenge that burns in my mind over and over. #Inspiredbyfriend ​

Rep. Jerry Nadler is a deplorable example of leadership. He represents NY10... Hard to believe but in NY anything can happen apparently. His political Theatrics are in full swing. There is NO professionalism and civility in the words or tone of his opening statement. #MakesMeSick

AG Barr is an honorable man who shouldn’t be in the room with that disgraceful excuse for a leader. AG Barr, I will stand with you anytime. Carry on.

I want to grant sincerity to technology and healthcare leaders. I don’t anymore. My cynicism born of the 2020trials and 20+ years in tech and leadership has infected me. I’m not sure there is a cure. I’m not sure there will ever be a cure. Without a modicum of respect, the distrust germinates and spreads like a virus into every experience.

I trust God. Period. His power is absolute. His love is unbounded. He listens and hears me in my whining.

Quoting and thinking of great friends and great sacrifice. I give thanks on this Memorial Day and I choose to live into a hopeful and faith filled future.

“I for one will not live in fear of meeting or hugging or dining together or laying on hands to pray... I will honor those who died for my freedom by being free to weigh risk and act accordingly.” MommaY

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.” John 10:14-18 MSG

How to be a trusted advisor. Know how to do things. Teach well. Communicate broadly. Commit to results. #SkinInGame integrity coupled with knowledge and experience changes the game. From companies to churches to families and friends.

Talk is cheap. Results at scale over duration showcase true professionals and expose the pretenders.

The real test of credibility arises when an expert and/or communicator must align and collaborate with others who DISAGREE. Managing dissenting views is a CRITICAL skill in short supply during this crisis, and virtually all crises. If experts can't quickly and efficiently handle questions from non-experts in a public forum, are they really experts?

The answer is yes, but it does mean that their communications credibility is called into question. The echo chamber amplification phenomenon of the internet does exist in academia and peer review models across all verticals. GREAT and CREDIBLE leaders seek out dissenting views, listen to minority reports, and then decide accordingly.

Sometimes the majority wins, and sometimes the dissenters hold the day.
Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are wrong.
The more we are right... the more credibility we have. Period.

“Each of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have traveled, and if the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well.” ― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

I keep a list of things that you said you would do and didn’t do... When it gets to a certain length, I just write it off... and move on.

​Credibility, and a man’s word... matter... Relationships are more important until the risk and cost reaches some theoretical “cliff” 

Two types of people... talkers and doers... ? 

Actual progress is about discipline over duration... say what you will do... do what you said you would do... #NotThatHard — Hump day is just beginning.

TUES REALITY CHECK What I consider to be "High School behaviors and decision models" is outdated. Today's youth exhibit these behaviors and decisions in their 18-24 year old semi-adult selves. From work ethic, to relationships, to dating, to general life skills... Adulthood is developing later. This is not a criticism. It is a fact. 

We as adults and parents need to get on board and realize it because we did it. They did not. If they aren't ready to live as adults, the parents are to blame.. not teachers, not society, not systemic oppression, not guns... PARENTS and FAMILIES. 

Decision and Behaviors have consequences.

​Right or wrong doesn't even come into play all that much anymore if you have teenagers... The ability to adapt, and overcome is what we need to do, and they need to learn.

Authorities can’t fully protect us against individual depravity in a free country. We must recognize the problem is within our hearts and minds. We cannot continue like this my friends. We must live together more fully and love one another more completely. We must protect and value one another. Every life is precious. Every one.