"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity." ~Carl Jung

Life has a way of being both extremely challenging and unequivocally rewarding at the same time. Happiness is truly an internal emotion brought out by life experiences. No one person in this world can make someone happy unless that person chooses to be happy with themselves and their lives. Despite the wealth of many Americans in this country, the United States rates the highest among industrialized nations with people suffering from major depression according to a 2004 study conducted by Harvard Medical School. So while countries like Nigeria deal with hunger and Cuba deals with oppression, Americans often deal with materialism and a sense of entitlement fueled by runaway capitalism and the media who tells every American to spend, spend, spend even if you can not afford the items that you are buying.

My challenge to you is decide what is important in your own lives and the lives of your family. Find happiness in your health, your family, your friends and your community. Decide this year to give time rather than presents, a smile rather than a frown, or a hello to someone you do not normally speak with. Stop making your dark moments the focus of your life rather than the temporary problems they are that make your happiness so much more enjoyable in the end.

Nkozi Knight

Vice President B.C.C.

http://alonzoweeklyleadershipthought.blogspot.com/

It's not till the tide rolls out that you can see who's been swimming naked. ~ Anonymous

This morning a very nice lady was stuck in her car while going up hill in our fresh snow. A few of us got out of our vehicles in traffic to help push her to safety. While pushing, I couldn't help but notice how nice the car was. I was confused that this vehicle couldn't make it up the small hill. It became clear that her tires were almost bald and no matter how cool the vehicle looked, without proper preparation for snow, this car wasn't going anywhere. I'm sure she knew that she needed new tires but figured she had more time to get them. The experience got me thinking about the quote for this week. Where in my life will I be left exposed if the tide suddenly rolls out? I remember being the back up quarterback in high school and not really paying attention to the plays since I never expected the starting quarterback to get hurt. When it actually happened I was confused and unprepared to lead my team when they needed me most. I also suspect that some leaders delay addressing important matters on their teams because times have been good and they don't want to upset the balance. Since you can't time or predict when times will turn sour, the risk of doing nothing to prepare clearly isn't worth it.

My challenge to you this week is to address something in your personal or professional life that you've been hiding under the tide. That is, commit to taking a step toward addressing a weakness you have before the world knows you have it all. Perhaps its an insecurity about public speaking or simply not understanding the numbers behind a budget item you are responsible for. There are many things that we as leaders hide behind because the system allows us to. A sign of your evolved leadership is being prepared for when the tide rolls out and knowing you've got it covered.


Alonzo Kelly
http://alonzoweeklyleadershipthought.blogspot.com/