| If you can't read this, click here to view the web version. |
 | |||||||||||||
 |
Pass It On Dear friends, Last month's newsletter on the topic of HOPE (June Newsletter) connected deeply with many of you. The numerous e-mails and phone calls that I received underscored how fragile life can be - many readers thanked me for helping them to keep on keeping on. In that regard, I wanted to share the following words from my good friend, Mike Tibbetts. Mike was a teammate of mine on the University of Texas track team. I believe you will be touched by Mike's words, as they helped me to understand the importance of focusing on what's left, not what's lost... "Your newsletter last month held an amazing message for me. I know the words were from your heart as you expressed your loss and questions surrounding coach's death. Your perception regarding the situation was very insightful. The example of our fragile human condition as illustrated through your statement that we as humans can live "forty days without food, four days without water and four seconds without hope" really hit home. My personal experience of late with the loss of employment has provided me the opportunity to explore your described "loss of hope". You described this need for hope in each of us. Fortunately I am blessed with support from family and friends and my faith in God during this challenging time of life. This support group and faith in God have allowed me not to dwell on the negatives of my present situation. I have been searching for answers to my present situation such as "Why am I here?" and "Where do I go from here?" This introspection has required that I look to my past and sort out the positive moments of life. As I've begun to seek out these things I've realized there are many interconnected events and experiences. These things occur each day and I have often missed the interdependent relationships. Thinking about coach and your description of his loss of hope seemed to bring all this into focus through a recent personal revelation. This revelation can best be described as a "peripheral perspective". It's similar to driving along the highway and focusing on the car ahead - not only focusing on the car, but focusing on the car's license plate. As I focus on the plate I recognize the letters written on the plate. The longer I focus on the license text the more I miss of the surrounding environment such as, cars in adjacent lanes, on ramps, exit ramps, road signs, things along the highway to the right and left, all these are present as I travel at highway speed. If I focus too long on the license plate I can be in serious trouble. I must have a peripheral field of vision to be aware of all that's going on around me as I travel this highway. Just a few days ago while traveling a car passed at a high rate of speed in the adjacent lane. In that lane was a highway maintenance truck with a sign indicating to change lanes. The speeding vehicle did not seem to see the highway truck and continued on a collision path. At the very last possible instant the driver swerved to miss the truck. The driver was evidently focused on something and not paying attention to the highway. In my life if I focus too long on "ME" I can also be in serious danger. I have been given a peripheral perspective that allows me to recognize others in my life. Thanks again for encouraging words during some troubling times. "The good news is that it's never too late to start touching hearts and giving hope." Thanks, Mike-- Michael E. Tibbetts In closing, please remember that HOPE is the spark of life and I encourage you to pass it on. Have a wonderFULL day! Your friend,  | |
"This leadership academy is the real deal." Cliff Luckey, Vice President of Technology, Mclane Advanced Technologies Attendees rate June academy a perfect 10. View Testimonials (doc). Enroll now for 2009 and 2010 sessions Act now, as availability is limited. Click here (pdf) to review the leadership competencies that are taught at the True Growth® Academy.
| | |||||||||
| |||||||||||||
