….Well, crying isn't gonna bring him back, unless your tears smell like dog food. ~ Homer Simpson
When I was younger I had a favorite cat named P.C., short for Pussy Cat. (I know, real original). Anyway, our cat had to be returned to the animal shelter for behavioral issues. One day the cat is hissing me goodbye when I leave for school and that afternoon when I returned she was gone. Later on in life I had a dog that I loved dearly. He too needed to be removed from my home and all I could think about was PC. This past week I didn't pass a very important test necessary for my job. I get to take the test again, but that's not the point. For some odd reason, I reflected on my pets during this time of disappointment. I suppose it's because I spent more time thinking about after the test rather than the time at hand. I did the same thing with my pets. I was so busy thinking about tomorrow that I failed to accept the reality of today. Sometimes the best inspiration comes from the most unlikely of sources. Homer Simpson very matter of factly demands that we either let our disappointment go or do something about it. Simply wallowing in our own sorrow does nothing but distract us and those around us. My tears certainly didn't smell like dog or cat food so I suppose that's why neither of my pets came back. I suppose my tears don't smell like right answers either so I must either learn from my mistakes and do whatever is necessary to pass the exam next time, or retreat to a dark corner and feel sorry for myself. Clearly, feeling sorry for myself is not an option.
My challenge to you this week is to pick your head up from a recent disappointment and get over it. If you're thinking 'that's easy for him to say' you would be exactly correct. It is easy for me to say. I'm separating my ability to say it and your ability to actually do it. While I won't pretend to understand the depth of your disappointment from a recent challenge, project, or goal, I will say the fact that you're reading this email means that I need you to snap out of it. As a part of my circle of influence, I hold you accountable for being as strong as the person next to you. Like a computer virus, your inability to snap out of it will find the path of least resistance to infect us all with something we don't want and don't understand. I need you, we need you, at your best. Leaders don't have the luxury of self pity for a prolonged period of time. Accepting the fact that disappointment is part of the human experience, doesn't mean it has to be permanent.
Alonzo Kelly
President
Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals
