DECEMBER 31, 2020
As we close out the 2020 year, which has been a challenging one for many, let us think back over this past year of all of the GOOD things that have come from this crazy pandemic. Too many of us just want this year to be over and move on to the way things used to be. Well, things will NEVER be the way it used to be because we all have a different perspective of our country, the world and how we belong. Reflect on how you had to endure, adapt and/or problem solve during this past year. Was it an inconvenience or was it a lesson that just maybe you needed to learn in coping and adapting to your given situation? That meant thinking and acting FOR others and not against others. I hope each one of you became more thankful of those people in your life that are more important to you than what might be happening around us and which is totally out of our control. That means you should be looking inside yourself to see WHO you really are and how you reacted to your situation. Was it selfish or was it done for others? That is the sign of True Leadership.”
This pandemic was a blessing in disguise for many. PLEASE think about it that way as you move forward. The sun will come out tomorrow. Life goes on and it just may have been a chance to get your crap together in understanding yourself. It might even have been a chance to get closer to those you love and friends you haven’t connected with for a long time.
This cowboy, who likes to get on his horse and MOVE, used this pandemic to become closer to my own brother Randy, who recently retired from a lifetime of service in the Education field. While we had plans of working together in some fashion after retirement, this year allowed us to refine our mission of reaching out, helping and developing others from a business and educational perspective. One of those ways is our effort in starting and developing a small group curriculum for men. While we can never replace the importance of having good, loving women in our lives, it occurred to us that many men are confused and lost as to what it really means to be a man. (An Authentic Man) Not that Randy and I have all of the answers; but we are biological brothers and we were raised, mentored, and tutored by a bunch of great teachers. Developers who took an interest in us by showing us how beautiful life is, and how to navigate the ups and downs along with being good men. Yes, most were our parents but there were always those special coaches and mentors who encouraged and inspired us by believing in us more than we did in ourselves. We will talk more in future Elevator Guy remarks as to our progress with our “Band of Brothers” initiative. So, stay tuned.
In closing; let me share what “Coach Randy” and “Elevator Guy” are doing to encourage other men in gaining wisdom, overcoming the “Big Me,” having the courage to do the right thing, and loving unconditionally. This requires men to think and act out their role as an Authentic Man. It all starts with being a BROTHER. Who is your brother? It may not be your biological brother. (if you have one) It may be a good friend, a co-worker, a cousin, an older gentleman, or someone you admire and respect. We can only learn certain things about life from our fathers. Your goal, (should you accept this mission) should be to find one (or more) men that you can learn from. You don’t need to spend every minute of every hour with them. You just need to have a plan to find someone to buddy up with in living a good life. This can happen in ANY season of your life.
Here is where Randy and I are starting in defining “What are brothers?”:
Brothers:
- Believe in and hold each other accountable.
- Have earned each other’s trust and respect.
- Challenge, Encourage, and Inspire us to be better.
- Include, Protect, and Defend each other.
- Don’t compete. They complete.
- Are friends that connect mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Are honest with each other about “WHO we think we are.”
- Listen and Learn together.
- Share each other’s successes and failures.
- Mentor each other.
- Teach us about fairness, cooperation, kindness and caring.
- Love each other unconditionally.
Don’t try life alone. Find yourself a brother and navigate a good life together. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Elevator Guy