Category Archives: Patience

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Failure is an option, do not choose it

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulobrandao/I am not failure, Patient Leadership uses failure as another opportunity to achieve greatness.

If you fall, fall on your back. If you can look up, you can get up.
Les Brown

The other night I could not sleep and it was entirely my fault. It was the night after the Toastmasters Table Topics contest, where I came in second to better competition. I believe if I would have done my best, I still would have been challenged to succeed…. BUT, I stunk, my words were garbled, my eye contact was weak and my sentences were tangled. Worst of all I conveyed the personality of a sad toad. Maybe, this a little harsh but I believe I rank with the best speakers God put on this earth. Granted I am still evolving, I believed this was a step towards my achievable dreams. All that being aside, I went home with my head hanging down. And lost sleep thinking of how many; many times I have captivated the crowd in these situations. Truth is, I failed and I needed to figure out how to right the ship and right my mind. Oh, this was my first contest of this sort, so how could a person who teaches on patience be upset.

Upset I was so I called the Magic City Toastmasters, President, Alex Bumpers and he gave me his philosophy on how I should handle this situation.

Steps to take after a failure.

State of Reflection
Allow your mind to go over the details of the events. Give yourself some time to digest and process all the events. No judgment, just contemplation

Strategic Phase
New Vision is necessary to proceed. You had a vision of what success looked like and now you have to decide if you have the same desires. Queen Janetta said,”
You have to decide if you even want to play that game anymore.” Some goals are worth going for again and others are just proving grounds for the better life.

Action Plan
“Roles and Goals”. Define who’s going to do what and when. Make decisions that will propel you to the next level. My one reason for joining
Toastmasters was to improve my skills as an inspirational speaker. After my last performance, I can see there is aspects of my craft that need enhancement.

Implementation
Alex Bumpers says, “You can’t be successful from 40,000 feet in the air, you have to get down in the trenches.” Hands on enactment are vital to the success of any
venture. Put your dreams into action. All babies need milk to grow. See and do it. The future belongs to those who are about their business.

Success or Failure
After following these steps you will either have success or failure and in both events you should go back to the Reflection phase to gather more intelligence.
By continuously repeating this process you will eliminate failures and multiply success.

Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead.
Les Brown

What process do you use after a failure or success?

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Decision Makers use courage and conviction

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Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 28:16
To live your life with courage and conviction, know your true values and dreams. Patient Leadership leads with principle and planning. The beginning of this Bible verse talks about the foundation that God has laid for in Zion, namely Jesus, the precious cornerstone. Then He follows it up with, “He that believeth shall not make haste”. This same type of conviction can be carried into life on all matters. If you believe in your goal you will have courage and patience. Do not be so hasty to arrest a situation, allow the facts and the truth to rise to the surface. It takes courage and conviction to stand on your sure foundation.
As I developed areas that focused on the philosophy of “Patience to Dominate”, many opportunities to expose the plan prematurely came up. I had to have the courage to continue working the project that was in front of me and not get distracted. Conviction was necessary to assure myself that I was on the right path. It was my duty to continue building a sure foundation before launch.
Apply courage and conviction to every area of your life and watch the blessings rain down on you. There is room for the dreamers and believers that are bold in their endeavors. Go forward with confidence in yourself and the God who made you.

What are examples of your courage and conviction?

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15 years of Marriage teaches Paitent Leadership

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/juan-antonio-capo/

On my 15th wedding anniversary I thought about, what have I learned. It is shared here with you to enjoy. May God bless you and all the marriages around the world. I am grateful that my wife taught me and I thank God for the ability to listen and hear the wisdom of Patience.

1. You can’t do it alone
In marriage you quickly realize that anything you can do by yourself is better when done together. Leadership is the similar because marriage is
an agreement between two people to love, honor and respect

2. Communication is essential
Leaders have to communicate early and often. In marriage you have to communicate even earlier and more often

3. Listening is essential
The old saying, “you have two ears and one mouth” should be the clue. Like in marriage, leaders should close their mouths and open their hearts
so that peace and progress can prevail

4. Breaks are necessary
Leading a volunteer organization caused me to realize that taking a break from the familiar routine refreshed all aspects of the team. If
something is not as smooth as you would hope take a pause for the cause and decide what is the most positive direction for everyone involved.

5. Detailed plans reduce friction
“Write your vision and make it plain”, this Bible verse holds true in marriage and leadership. Do not be afraid to write your goals on
small issues as well as the large ones. This will cause you less time in the explanation phase

6. Assumptions cause friction
Do not assume you know what the other person is thinking or how the other person will react. I am still learning how to implement this is
everyday partial applications. Sometimes disagreements are only in the mind and not necessarily the reality. Prior actions are not always an
indication of future results.

7. It is only as good as you think it can be
This is the mind over matter/situation trick. You are what you think you are. You have what you think you have. Patient Leaders say what they
want to see. Any complaints will manifest as actions. Dominate your thoughts, Dominate you actions, Dominate your World(tm)

8. Apologize with sincerity and forget about it
Some people resent a sincere apology because they wish to have their moment of anger but the majority of the world appreciates this rare gift. I
you are wrong just say you are wrong, now everyone is free to move forward. If you forget about it truly than now there is room for love to
abound.

9. Take it serious
Life is serious and so is marriage but moments are precious. So enjoy the journey. Enjoy the small things and expect the big things.

10. Dont take it so serious
Patient Leaders fully grasp situations yet they still direct attention to the lighter side of life. Look for every opportunity to laugh.
Learn as many jokes as possible. Let the smile of others be your reward.

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First Lady Michelle Obama: Moving Forward…with patience and wisdom

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Our First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a wonderfully moving personal message in which she named patience and wisdom as core values for success. To be
specific she was referring to the character and Patient Leadership and Clear Vision of her husband President Barack Obama. I believe she was also calling on the character of our entire nation. In the short excerpt below there are numerous keys like “Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise” that demonstrate what it takes to have success in life.

Here’s a link of some speech highlights.

And I love that even in the toughest moments, when we’re all sweating it – when we’re worried that the bill won’t pass, and it seems like all is lost – Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.

Just like his grandmother, he just keeps getting up and moving forward…with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.

And he reminds me that we are playing a long game here…and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once.
But eventually we get there, we always do.

She adds to the core values, “courage and grace”, these traits of Patient Leadership are the part that make it look easy. Like politics, in life we are “playing a long game” and by remembering this we can keep your heart rate low and reduce stress over small issues. The United States of America is stronger now than it was four years because of people like the Obama’s and those that lead before them. I am stronger now because have more time to spend with my wife and children.

I am grateful to the Father for this time to bond with my family it has blessed me in areas that a booming personal economy can not provide. In 2 Peter 1:5-7 the Bible says

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

All of these character traits point to Patient Leadership and make us better all around. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are an American success story and now we see at the heart of this success is patience and wisdom.

I know if you add “patience and wisdom and courage and grace to” to your endeavours will you have an abundantly fruitful life in four more years?

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EvangeliCrat: Evangelical and Socially Responsible

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EvangliCrat(tm) is an Evangelical Christian who first believes the Bible and trust in the Holy Trinity. An EvangliCrat is socially responsible and in tune with the needs of God’s people. These ideologies promote unity by following the teachings of the Bible. There is a new Commandment:

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

It is possible to support all the tenets of the Bible and still protect the rights of those with different beliefs. It is possible to love your neighbor and disapprove of their actions. It is possible to rely on the Father to supply your needs and then support those in need by feeding, housing and clothing them. Here are two scriptures that speak to that:

1. Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

2. Matthew 25:35-36 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me

This is a free country founded on equality for all, let’s live that way. A political system that celebrates only two options does not speak to freedom. There is an opportunity to make another voice heard. A voice that is meek but powerful. Evangelical Christian values are not exclusively for the Republican Party and Socially Responsibly citizens are not exclusively for Democratic Party. There is a voice that must stand up for justice by following moral principles that are founded in truth, protect Civil Rights without compromising principles and thinking with a socially conscious collectiveness that promotes achievement.

Join the movement that will shift our country back to the people.

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Health care show me your new face

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The New face of health care was not considered when the county commissioners of Jefferson County Alabama decided to close inpatient care at the Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, which cares for poor and more importantly the majority of people with no insurance. The claim was that our county could not afford “Indigent Care”. The indigent population is only a portion of the people served by this hospital.

The new face of health care is the man who worked for a religious organization and terminated for no fault of his own. When he showed me his glasses and then said “thank you” to Cooper Green.

The new face of healthcare is the thriving business owner that keeps the employees at their current pay but cannot afford insurance. These employees if they need care will be burdened with a bill or go without care.

All of the under employed retail workers that serve you anything at bargain price, have insurance at minimal levels. They can be called the “working poor”.

To this day I like applesauce with raisins on top because they were given to me at a free day care, while my mother was receiving prenatal health care at Grady Hospital in Georgia. Thank God for those people seeing our faces at that time.

Feed the people who need the help.

All of these people are standing beside you, worshipping beside you and some share a common family tree with you. This decision is not only hurts the person under the bridge it hurts the person in the mirror.

For all the rhetoric and mismanaged funds in our county the focus has again turned away from the people and is now back in a familiar place. Politicians fighting with politicians to keep jobs for executives that will land them on their feet and the constituents out of the door. The commissioners continue to say that there are other good hospitals in the area… This is true the Birmingham Metro has a lot of stellar hospitals that run on payments from the insurance companies. These are stories of communities nationwide. This one is happening in my community, so I will not sleep anymore.

Wake up if you care and wake up if you have been thrown into the pile. IF you care about people then sitting still and keeping quiet is not an option.

Rise up if you are the new face of Health care.

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You shall Win

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“You will Win” is a paraphrase from the bible verses in Luke 21:18-19 (amplified)

However not a hair on your head shall perish. By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.

This scripture holds a promise that is universal and a truth that applies to any profession or enterprize. First you should not fear for your life or that any harm can come to you.

Fear breeds unbelief.

For believers the scripture opens up avenues to a great life on earth and in the afterlife because it addresses your soul. Since your soul is eternal, patient endurance causes you to be a winner forever. God is the God of the living , so we will focus on the present. The words “by your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win” are so powerful in the walk of patience. You shall win because you outlast the enemy and the competition. On this path there will be times where you will ask the questions ” why me , why now? ” The Patience to Dominate is the answer and this scripture embodies this sentiment. God is seeking examples of faithful people to spread His message. True life is life defined by God not by man. “You shall win the true life of your soul” is a goal all humans desire to achieve.

What do you consider to be true life?

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Mother’s Day was the other day

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This poem is written in collaboration with my children. We think all Mom’s are special and if you have a verse to add please join in and send this to your Mom.

Celebrate life.

Mother’s day was the other day
when you cooked for us and knew it would ruin your diet

Mother’s day was the other day
when you drove us around to our friends house,
to the mall, oh and then bought us dinner with your beauty shop money

Mother’s day was the other day
when you cut your vacation short to come save me from my troubles

Mother’s day was the other day
when you let us sleep in late and you cleaned the dirty dishes
that we were supposed to finish

Mother’s day was the other day
when you went to the 2nd & Charles and bought me a video game
even though we were there only to sell movies

Mother’s day was the other day
when you sent me money for extracurricular activities at school
knowing that you were already stretched

Mother’s day was the first day
when you allowed your body to transform
so that I could have life

Thank you Mom for the first Mother’s day and all the countless other days that you put me first.

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The London Olympics shows how to Trust your training

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London Olympics Gymnast Danell Leyva won a bronze medal at the London Games because he learned to trust his training. He and his father had a ritual that included a pull of the ears and a kiss on the head and then his father would say trust your training. This ritual struck me as wonderful on many levels. Here are three observations that you can use in your everyday life.

1. Having a relation with a Father-figure/Mentor is key to success

The man we saw jumping jubilantly at the London Olympics was Yin Alverez, Danell’s step-father. Which demonstrates that no matter what the situation there is someone there that can help us succeed. Find a mentor and submit to their teachings. The other unique thing is that Alverez was on the floor as Danell’s coach,I think this has a direct correlation to why he was the only man to have an individual medal.

2. Public affection strengthens bonds

These two men have no problem showing that they care for each other. You may not go as far as a kiss but think of the goodwill President Obama got when he and the First lady engaged in a kiss-cam moment. Let those around know that you care. Even a sincere direct thank you with a meaningful handshake goes a long way toward solidifying business relationships. One of the last things my father said before he passed away was “come over here and give me a kiss”. I still remember the quiet joy in his feeble eyes. Do not wait so long to show you care.

3. Trust you training

This is significant in all of our lives. The first thing you must do to trust your training is train. And I mean train consistently. To reach the London Olympics Danell Leyva had to train constantly. If you are going to reach Olympic status in your career or relationship you will have to train for your time on the big stage. The last reminder right before each event by Alverez cemented in his son’s mind that he was ready for this moment by saying “trust in your training”.

Please leave a comment on how you the London Olympics can inspire you to trust your training on a daily basis?

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How does your perfect house look?

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Psalm 101

After reading this Psalm I had a few questions.

Who were these wicked?
Who are the faithful of the land?
What if you are the city and the evil doers are the spirits you allow to dwell inside of you?
Can you root them out?
You read it and see what you believe God is saying through David.

King James Version (KJV) A psalm of David

1 will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

David seems to have an ability to see himself and all of the forces that come against him. He even has a solution to combat the eveil within and the external evil. So keep your eyes away from wicked things, keep your eyes on the faithful of the land and destroy all of your thoughts early in the process.

What things are you doing to create a perfect way?