Thursday; November 30

The Army – Navy game has been an American tradition for generations. The game has been played in eras where the outcome could determine a national champion and during times when all that was at stake was institutional pride. However, one of the most memorable games was played in 1963. The game was originally scheduled for November 30, 1963; but President Kennedy’s assassination put the game on hold. After much debate, the game was rescheduled and played on December 7. The game itself was one for the ages. (Army failed to score the decisive touchdown when they ran out of time near the goal line.) Yet, one of the most remarkable issues was that the game was played at all. How could we play a “game” in light of a national tragedy? The answer was pretty simple, it is what the Kennedy family felt was the right thing to do. They had a say in what happened and they gave it the green light.

It is easy to criticize other people’s decisions – especially when clouded in years of hindsight – but we must be careful that we don’t disparage other people’s decisions, especially when we don’t know their own personal thought process or circumstances. It’s okay to think we might have done something different, but let’s not publicly belittle someone else’s choices. First of all, those decisions aren’t for us to make and secondly, we probably don’t know all the facts.

If someone asks for our advice, let’s feel free provide our opinion. However, when they don’t ask, let’s be prudent and remain quiet. When we find ourselves starting the sentence with, “If it were up to me …”, let’s remember it isn’t.

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more