By “Coach Gary” Micheloni
Right now is a weird time for me, and maybe for you, as
well. But as I sit here, thinking about this column, I realize that I am in
some kind of a convergence of seasons. It is just three days prior to our
national elections – a “season” that has been going on for the longest time.
The time for Halloween has passed, and Thanksgiving is almost upon us,
officially launching the onset of the holiday shopping season. Along with them,
the holidays that are centered on our faith are just around the corner.
The elections leave me both hopeful and troubled. I’m not
ambivalent about my choices for those seeking political office, so I know how I
hope things will turn out. But I realize that things might not all go the way I
would like, and my concern is how that all affects the country.
Everywhere you look, leadership
is clearly on display. I have watched in amazement the resilience and
resourcefulness of those whose neighborhoods have been damaged by Super Storm Sandy.
People are grateful for help, no matter the direction from which it comes. Many
of those who expected the federal government to ride in like the cavalry and
save the day have been very disappointed; simultaneously, they have been
overwhelmed by the generosity and efforts of their neighbors – even strangers –
who have pitched in.
I mentioned the convergence of
seasons, simultaneously living through a bunch of them that are seemingly
unrelated. Yet, there still is actually a common thread: the American
Experience. These seasons come from our common traditions.
About half the country will be
disappointed in the elections, the other half will be ecstatic.
But here’s the thing about our
country: We may have a transition of power from one administration to another,
or the present administration may remain there. Either way, love it or hate it,
we have all agreed to go through this as Americans, we will stand by the
process, and the whole thing will happen without bloodshed.
This is an astonishing thing,
seldomly seen anywhere else in our world. Jefferson was so right when he spoke
of these “precious blessings.”
So many countries around the
world can’t even imagine such a thing. To advocate for freedom is often a death
sentence. Again, the precious things we sometimes take for granted, that we
ignore by not caring enough to cast an informed vote, would astonish the
majority of people in the world who can’t come to terms with the notion of
being free to open a business, speak what’s on your mind, worship as you
choose, have the right to own property – and to defend it. Doubt me? Talk to
someone who has emigrated here from a country run by a dictator. Such people
are blessings to us, and demonstrate the continuing opportunities here, right
at our feet.
And through all of this long,
political season, on which billions of dollars have been spent, Americans still
have enough confidence to enjoy the silliness of Halloween, the somber and
joyous gratitude of Thanksgiving, the real reverence of the holidays of their
faith, of the reverie and promise of New Year’s Eve and Day.
Our country has been blessed,
even before its beginning as a nation, because of the leadership and vision of
its founders. When the country was being built, its leaders adopted the
principles that established its plumb lines and boundaries. Moral, ethical and
religious values were part of its fabric. In other countries, the reality was “the
king is law,” but our leaders turned that on its head and demanded that “the
law is king.” Real leadership!
Don’t lie awake at night,
worried about what may or may not happen. Dig in. Pitch in. Go “all in” for
2013 and for your family. There is an old saying that there are three types of
people: those who watch things happen, those who make things happen, and those
who wonder, “What happened?”
Coach Gary’s Corner: What’s your plan for growth in 2013? Coaching will help you get there in less time, and with more success. Ask Coach Gary to speak for your group, association or convention, or even to coach your company. Coach Gary’s first book, “Get Paid for a Change!” is available at Amazon.com. Pick it up there; change your business. And, get his FREE scheduling seminars at www.MicrosoftProjectClasses.com. Gary Micheloni is a working project manager, speaker, author, consultant and coach. Write him at FullContactTeam@gmail.com. Copyright 2012 Gary Micheloni
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