Self-Reliance

A new season of reclamation has begun.

Excerpt from Self-Reliance  -  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever inly rejoices me, and the heart appoints. 

If you are noble, I will love you; if you are not, I will not hurt you and myself by hypocritical attentions. 

If you are true, but not in the same truth with me, cleave to your companions; I will seek my own. I do this not selfishly, but humbly and truly. It is alike your interest, and mine, and all men's, however long we have dwelt in lies, to live in truth. Does this sound harsh today? You will soon love what is dictated by your nature as well as mine, and, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last.

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What you love to think about, dream about, speak about, learn about and create about is your genius. Don't water down your natural style or contort yourself into some idealized version of who you think you should be. The impulses that come from deep within are your guide track to greatness. We want you as is. ~Marie Forleo

Leadership

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”~Matthew 20 NIV

Leadership -  a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. ~Northouse

To be an effective leader, you must be able to look behind/below you as well as in front of/above you and extend yourself either way.  A true leader exercises strength and humility...and always remains teachable (even by the least "educated" of teachers).

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.~John Quincy Adams

Solitude and Gentleness

"It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. The more solitary I am the more affection I have for them…. Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say.”

~Thomas Merton