Lead By Example – Follow Up to the last post

 I meant to have this posted on Friday but was unable to process all of my thoughts until now:

              I think it was in August when Roland applied for the management position at the jewelry store.  They were down to two candidates but had decided to go with the one who was more familiar with the product.  Not a great call in my opinion – but I am just getting the information second hand.  I’ve never actually met the woman – but this is an illustration of what makes a leadership vs. management that I had mentioned in this post.

        Not her real name, but I shall call her Karen – the name that seemed to get a bad rap during 2020.  She knows product.  Roland knows people.  I do like a salesman that can tell me the pros and cons of certain products – electronics for example.  It is important – but I think knowing people is more important.  Not just customers (guests, consumers, or whatever they are called) but employees, co-workers, peers – neither of which Karen had experience with. 

        She would teach the other three workers about the product and Roland would teach the others how to sell, how to act, and what to do in various situations – like being robbed for example.  Cocky Karen said they would never be robbed.  Technically it was a burglary but Roland’s 911 went into effect. 

        Karen would abuse her manager position and give herself every Sunday off though Richard and at least one other employee were told they would only work every other Sunday.  Karen didn’t always pay attention to what she had scheduled.  One day she had called to find out why Roland wasn’t at work.  He said he was scheduled to close and not open but evidently she had wanted him to do both? 

        Roland continued to train the other two.  For one thing it has been majorly slow and the staff has nothing better to do.  But also he leads people – whether he is technically in charge or not.  It’s just part of his charm.  People will ask him things as though he is the designated leader – except for Karen who seems to have trust issues and has asked others to keep an eye on him – not realizing the other two would much rather have Roland as their manage rather than Karen and will confide in Roland whereas they would never dream up any conversing with Karen.  She doesn’t know how to lead.  She doesn’t know how to manage.

        Roland drove to the location on Thursday morning after the store opened.  Karen was scheduled to be there.  Her rule was that there always had to be two people in the store, but the other employee was there by herself.  Thus we went shopping and returned to the store.  Karen still was not there, but the owners were.  Roland turned in his key to them and then called human services to tell him that he had quit and tried to give the key to Karen as a courteously but she was not there.  We both wondered if she would still have a job by the end of the day or if she would take her frustrations out on the other two.

        We both feel good about his leaving and he has no desire to return.  He has heard from one of his former co-workers praising him for his abrupt decision to leave.  Our youngest son also had said that he had made the right choice.

 

        

At What Sacrifice? Or Whose?

         I recently learned that Brigham Young had told Ephraim Hanks to shave his face.  I have probably heard the story (here) several times but did not resonate like it does at present.  “Wear a mask”. How hard is that?  Few people enjoy being told what to do.  We all have our free agency.  Not everybody will wear a mask – or if they do, they will wear pretend masks or fail to cover both mouth and nose.

https://www.amazon.com/Mustache-Handmade-
Washable-Copyright-Protected/dp/B08DK461YP

        Ephraim Hanks had free agency.  He didn’t have to shave.  He chose to obey the council.  It’s not that he needed to prove anything to others or even God.  He had to prove to himself that he was willing to obey.  This act played a huge role with his ability to lead others. 

        This article reinforces that wearing a mask is showing Christ

like love.  We wear masks in order to protect others – even those that have received the vaccination.  Asking some people to get a vaccination shot is even worse than asking them to wear a mask.  Really?  What is the big deal? 

    According to several sources (here) we could have avoided prolonging the pandemic if we had all cared about one another in the first place rather than how uncomfortable it might make for ourselves.  I don’t mean to wish bad upon these self absorbed people but sometimes I think how would they like seeing a family member in need of surgery being operated upon by a team of unmasked surgeons?  Or have their dentists breathe into their mouths while working on them?  But too bad for all those unmasked surgeons and dentists. 

        My brother purchased a book called “Would You Rather” and each day he posts a question.  A recent one was “Would you rather to be able to control the elements or go back in time?”

        I have always questioned time travel.  It’s fun to watch in movies, but what would it change really?  Different outcomes?  Better?  Worse?  There are all kinds of scenarios.  The thing is going back in time to warn others about the pandemic will not change what is going on right now.  We were already warned.  We’ve been divided.  We’re at a civil or cold war with one another.  Even at church.  There are those who still refuse to follow the prophet. 

        How hard is it to wear a mask or shave?  How hard is it to look at the staff that is stretched before us?  

I don’t understand all the pride.  For what?  Things will only get worse before they get better.  Why is it so difficult for so many to see what is right before them?  Especially when it parallels with scriptures. 

Our current situation may not be exactly like Zion’s camp or the movement of the pioneers or picking up our tents to move even further into the wilderness and crossing the ocean into the unknown.  We put our faith in God that He really does have our best interest at hand.  I would rather follow God into the unknown as I know the He does know what’s ahead – even if I don’t. 

I have seen far too many westerns, sci-fis and other movies to recognize that human leadership is often faulty. Though not always, but often, bad things happen to those that follow – maybe not all of them, but a good number of them.  For example the movie Poseidon Adventure. 

https://www.cinemaessentials.com/2017/11/the-
poseidon-adventure-1972-review-gene-hackman.html

How many souls were lost?  Not all humans know what they’re doing.

        It’s mind boggling, too, that there are those who are still defending Trump.  I don’t trust a man who desecrates religion.  So many of his followers are portrayed as idiots.  I think there’s a difference between being ignorant and being stupid. Evidently I am surprised at the large amount of stupid people that exist.

        Still judging though I’m trying really hard not to.  Currently I am just shaking my head in disbelief.  I also pray a lot.

Defunding Police and Missionary Work

             I wish I had taken the time to record my thoughts and try to transcribe them instead of the pathetic attempt to post the following: 

          Jenna has an assignment due today.  She asked if I could bounce around some ideas in order to help her.  The topic is “Defunding the Police – Why or Why Not?” Her thoughts mirrored my own when the subject started making its way around facebook.

          “Why would we defund the police?  That is so wrong.  It’s their job to serve and protect us.  Why would we want to take that away?”

          I obviously had not understood why so many seemed to support it until I saw this political cartoon 

this was shared on facebook.  Unfortunately I am
 unable to cite its orginal source but would like to know

Defunding the police is not the same as abolishing. 

          Have you ever watched “Little House on the Prairie” or westerns in which there is only one doctor in town.  A jack of all trades one might say.  His job was to cure whatever ailed the citizens whether it be a common cold, the fever, skin rashes, bullet wounds, delivering babies . . . a doctor was expected to know it all and cater to all regardless of age.  And though many doctors may have known a little about so much of what was required or expected the doctor did not everything. 

          Today we have gynecologists, pediatricians, Ophthalmologists, podiatrists, Dermatologists, cardiologists . . . the list goes on and on.  Each doctor specializes in a certain field.  I think it is better to have multiple doctors that cater to something specific than just one who tries to do it all. I think it is the same with the police.  Many signed up with a specific goal in mind without having been trained for every aspect one might associate with police work.  We need to spread the funds each to whatever specialty is required.

          We have opinions on why we should defund the police or why we should not defund the police. I was most curious about how the police themselves felt about it. I do have friends in the law enforcement and would like to support them. I watched this video chat with Lee Adams from Vice (here) in which he addresses eight different law enforcement officers from across the nation. 

Even among those that are in law enforcement there are still conflicting ideas about why or why not reallocate the taxpayers money. Though they agree on some things there are still other items in which their opinions vary.

         I had been asked to attend a missionary training meeting in Roseburg last night. I attended the meeting virtually.  As the meeting progressed my mind reflected upon how to best utilize each member of the community. I made a silent comparison with Jenna’s assignment and the leadership training that was being suggested – discussions I had already had as a missionary and a ward mission leader. 

Two videos were shown – both which I had seen before.  The focus is on ward involvement.  The story unfolds as a man (I think his name is Juan) loses his job and doesn’t know how he will tell his wife.  On the same day he meets with the missionaries.  They start teaching him and his life is changed.  He introduces the gospel to his wife, Julia.  We are asked how we as a ward will be able to include them into our fold.

          Juan is computer savvy and is introduced to someone in the church who is not.  The missionaries ask Juan to utilize his talents to assist ward members – an act of service.  How can we, in return, help Juan. Introduce him to someone who can relate.  Same with the Relief Society and Julia (Juan’s wife).  When we are in ward correlation or missionary meetings how can we involve each organization?  Who would be a good fit?  I get that.  I understood that as a missionary. 

             I was happy about my decision to attend virtually rather than in person as Roland (who hasn’t felt well) would have had to drive me as I cannot see at night. I can’t say that I learned anything new. I was disappointed that today’s situation had not been addressed as we now have to reach out to others in more creative ways than handshakes and personal introductions.  We have to respect one another’s boundaries by wearing masks and keeping our distance – which for me does not give off good vibes of welcoming. I know I can contact others over the phone or through social media if I have that information – which I don’t.

             It’s almost as though we are dehumanized with the mask and staying six feet apart – although I support the outline given.  I just find it hard to reach out when I don’t feel a foundation of the initial start.  I miss connecting with members – let alone those who are not.  Hopefully they can feel the Spirit through the meetings themselves and may understand that human contact will come – we just don’t know when.

Here's Hoping

          The world is different now and will continue – I would hope for the better.  Afterall we are all going through the same thing together – but apart.  Some people are using their time wisely and even grateful for the time of solitude.  Others are going stir crazy and blaming anybody who remotely looks Asian for the pandemic.  Really?  Did history Not teach you anything?  American citizens who might have ancestors who lived in China or Japan or wherever.  American citizens who have never known life other than America but because of their skin type are sent away to “camps” for the safety of “real” Americans.  That very thought makes my blood boil.  How dare we cast blame to an entire population who had as much control over the decisions of leadership they may not even be related to.  And even if they are related, so what?  If I learned that I was related to Hitler or Atilla the Hun, their decisions would have obviously had no influence whatsoever from me.

          Just so everybody in Canada and all other parts of the world (United States included) I did NOT vote for Trump.  The guy is definitely NOT eloquent with words (see here). The guy’s an idiot – offending Canadian citizens the way he did.  The media claimed he announced that US would Not be sharing medical supplies such as facial masks with our neighboring country.  I hope the citizens of Canada realize that Trump does not represent all Americans.  I know a couple of people who admit to being Trump followers, but almost everyone I have talked to mirrors the same expression that he is the worse president that the United States has ever had.  He comes across as very childish and totally lacks compassion.

          New York has more Covid cases than any other place on earth from my understanding (again, who knows what to believe?) and are OUT of supplies.  It may be that US would like to share their supplies but don’t have supplies to share. 

          My grandson was born in upper state New York.  It doesn’t appear that there were any complications.  Mom and baby seem to be doing fine.  I think my son is bored.  He still drives to work but will be working from home online.  Lots of work and schooling online.  US internet is not near as fast as other countries.  I always wonder how long we’ll last before we freeze or before the power goes out.  When everybody finally does stay at home and there is no one out to fix whatever goes wrong.

          We had picked out new flooring for the bathrooms.  Roland was worried about having toilets uninstalled at not reinstalled.  We cancelled due to cornavirus.  I’m grateful for the things that we do have.  New flooring would be nice but so unnecessary at this time.

Lead by Example

          Once a week a devotional was offered at the main building on campus when I attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  During the week, the devotional was offered for purchase at the bookstore.  It was also broadcast on the local campus radio for those who did not desire to attend the conference but wanted to listen. Some of these I had recorded myself as I would be engaged in other activities - like doing dishes - and wasn't giving my full attention. 

          Such was the case of the last devotional offered in May 1982 (I believe).  The speaker was Paul H. Dunn.  As it was the last week and the tape might not even be recorded for purchase, nor would I be in Idaho to make the purchase.  It was such an awesome devotional.  I think the broadcast said to destroy any recordings of the session - but I'm not sure - that part didn't get recorded.  I remember my roommates saying they had heard it.  Too bad.  I couldn't bring myself to destroy it.  It was beautiful.  I hung onto it.  I called it my "illegal" tape recording.

          I probably have most of the tape memorized - though not in a specific order.  I do remember his relating learning from his dad - how his dad had counseled that Paul would lead and people would follow.  The example he used came several years later when he was and another authority figure had been called to give a blessing to a member who was at a Veteran hospital.  Elder Dunn reminded us to imagine the circumstances surrounding a Veteran hospital and how there is not much in the way of privacy as one may be accustomed to when giving or receiving a priesthood blessing.  He reflected his dad's words to lead and asked for the attention of all the men surrounding him.

          I don't know if I remember the exact quote word for word, but he announced why he was there and that he didn't know what faith any of the men were but asked if they would combine whatever beliefs they had and display a reverence so that he could give the priesthood blessing.  He described the reverent setting and said as they were leaving, at least three more men asked for blessings.

          For some, the ability to lead just comes naturally.  It isn't thought about.  It isn't a role they intended to aspire to.  Great leaders are gifted, I think. One example of great leadership is my daughter, Jenna.  She has always been a leader - encouraging pre-school classmates into following directions and praising them when they got it right, including everybody and not singling out those who couldn't walk or weren't as socially active, and being a friend to all.

          Over the years she has had many friends who had ADD and ADHD or were socially awkward or somehow didn't fit in with their peers.  Jenna has never discriminated but embraces each one into her social circle.  She doesn't show favoritism.  And as I have mentioned countless times, Jenna is her own self.  She never chose to be a role model for others, but she is greatly admired because she is who she is;  she uplifts others and refuses to allow others to bring her down.

          We went to the Riddle Library yesterday.  Although Myrtle Creek has tried adapting the summer reading program to teens as well as younger youth, the participation, unfortunately, is not as good as Riddle.  I realize that before we get to Riddle, Lacie has always anticipated Jenna's arrival.  I didn't get the gist of it until yesterday when I visited with her mom.

          Lacie has a huge amount of allergies - especially with aerosols and cleaning chemicals.  They have made her sick and she has had seizures and epilepsy.  She will be starting her final year of high school in the fall.  Jenna will be starting her first year.  Jenna is socially accepted by practically everybody.  Lacie, who has missed out on a lot of childhood due to illness, has a hard time fitting in as her social skills are less sophisticated for her peers.  She asked me and Jenna if we were in a hurry to leave the library or if we could hang out for a while. 

          I did have a lecture starting in another hour and a half, but did not have any other commitment.  Lacie needed Jenna.  So they laughed and played.  Jenna taught Lacie every camp song she had ever learned.  They both had fun.  I'm not quite sure who enjoyed it more.  It's too bad for Lacie that they won't be attending the same high school.

          I like that my daughter is a great example and friend to all.  Jenna is an awesome leader.  I love her so much.