In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. ~ Robert Frost
This past week had to have been one of the toughest of my short 34 years of life. I buried a friend. After coming to grips with the realities of life and death, I was comforted by family, friends, and peers. The words that were shared with me I shall not be able to repeat word for word but their rooted message will live with me forever. Losing someone you love is not easy, I am not 'fine', and I will never get over it. But I also heard them say, as Mr. Frost points out, life goes on, it has to. It has been a long time since the lessons regarding choice have been so clear. I choose to remember my friend for being one of the first to teach me to stand up for myself. I choose to remember him laughing not crying. I choose the lesson of love and happiness versus sadness and sorrow. A former boss used to tell his employees that he has never had a bad day at work in his life. He would always say that if he didn't like his job he would simply leave it. I admit that until last week, I still rolled my eyes at the thought. Then it struck me that he too was talking about choice. As leaders, what we do, how we do it, and whom we do it with matters. We continue to write the story for our life which will inevitably be the most beautiful story about us ever written and told.
My challenge to you this week is to celebrate your story as written thus far. Don't wait for us to do it for you. The story of my friend Mark points out that we seldom get a choice in how the story ends. If that is indeed the case, then every page and every chapter should make for a beautiful ending. Take a friend out for ice cream this week and simply say its because you've earned it. Take your kids to the park by surprise and explain to them that you are celebrating the accomplishments of their mom and/or dad. You are beautiful and some of the best stories ever told are by the people who lived through them. The best leadership books on my shelf at home are written and told by the people whom the book is about. While recounts, reflections, and memoirs are nice books to have, there is no one who can tell a more beautiful story about you than YOU!
Alonzo Kelly
President
Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals
