LUE-42 Enterprises January 2022 Ezine

I Believe In Fairness, Fun, And Sharing What I’ve Learned With The People Who Make This Planet A Great Place To Live

Issue 131, January 2022

I hope that your last month of 2021 was a good one that will lead you to a better 2022.

For me, December saw the return of travel (twice), but not my luggage (twice). I guess when it comes to rejoining the world, we all have some kinks to work out!

Grey Cup in Hamilton was the best of times and the worst of times. The scaled down festival still gave us plenty to enjoy and the game was exciting. It was wonderful to see old friends, to walk among legends, and to celebrate Brian's life with more people. Alas, the game-day stadium experience was brutal. I have two years before the Grey Cup is played there again to lose the sour taste it left.

Back home, Elks fans have been invited by the Board of Directors to share their frustration's with the organization. I have started this process and will take every opportunity offered to help "right the ship." It is fascinating for me to watch the Board navigate these difficult times, and it is also my job as a fan to support the club in what could be some dramatic and protracted changes. Stay tuned for lessons and observations!

I went back to Ontario for a quiet and lovely Christmas with my brother and his family. As I readied myself to go home I noted how sore my sides were and realized it was from laughter! Year two of this stupid pandemic made me forget how good the "hurt from laughing" can be. I'll take sore sides any day, blessed that there is room for joy in the midst of yet another variant and wave.

I attended a mental health webinar and found some pretty good tools, including the mental health continuum (see Links). You might find this helpful; I sure did.

My group of beer aficionados enjoyed our beer advent calendars and I even got to observe a home brewer start a new batch of beer. I am trusting this will help me next time I sit for the exam.

I am spending December 31 setting my sights on 2022 -- what I can do better, for myself and others. Grace seems to be my theme, with resilience following on its heels. I wish you a happy new year and all good things for 2022.

/lmwe

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.“ -- Groucho Marx

Grace in Leadership

According to Gary D. Burnison in The Five Graces -- Leading In A New Year (Dec 21/21)

"Unearned and unmerited, grace is the goodwill of human nature predisposed to helping others, and it defines so much of what leadership is about these days...As the world tilts on its axis, people are turning to leaders for help and hope, direction and decision, and the best way to respond is with grace."

Burnison says that grace requires us to show our human side and be in "community" (i.e., something bigger than ourselves). This new year, let yourself and your leadership be inspired by the five graces:

• Gratitude: Notice others and be grateful for what they do.

• Resilience: Hope is found in the resilience of the human spirit.

• Aspiration: As we raise our sights, we elevate others...we can make tomorrow better than today.

• Courage: Failure is usually temporary; don't let it paralyze. Ask what greater thing could be accomplished if I didn't give into my fears.

• Empathy: This turns “we’re all in this together” from words into feelings, and from feelings into action.

In short, grace helps is keep our focus on others. All the best to you in living and leading in 2022!

Here is the article.

/lmwe

“Grace releases and affirms. It doesn’t smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals. It doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and encourages. It isn’t jealous or suspicious.” – Charles Swindoll

In Memoriam

Russ Heppell

It's never easy to say good-bye to a friend and mentor. In over three decades of working with boards, Russ was one of the best board presidents I've ever worked with, plus he was just an all-around outstanding human being. Rest easy, Russ.

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior.

Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.

Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Some People Who Made Life Better in December

Carol Ann Burrell, Lori Bursey, Jonathon Cote, Leo Ezerins/Sandy Shields, Bruce Findley, Liz Garratt, Angela Hanson, Sue Henderson, Dave Hughes, Chris Kirkman, Lynn MacAskill, Pat Macdonald, Sherrill MacGilvray, Ian Murray, Randy Newman, Paul Rechner, Donna Stonehocker/Jim Gwartney, Theresa Tsoukalas, Diana Vranich/ Gown & Gavel, Gerry West, Elana/Jason West, Rob/Ginny Wood, Emily Wood, Brodie Wood/Amela Keric

“At the end of the day, it would be wise to learn how to cooperate with others; so as not to put yourself first most of the time.” -- Mwanandeke Kindembo