Hope

"Leaders are dealers in hope" Napoleon is credited with coining that maxim.

I read an article recently about George W. Bush and his new book. I wont comment on the irony of "W" writing a book. But the article talked about one of his biggest regrets. The picture of him peering through a window of air force one high above the misery of Katrina. The picture didn't give us much hope as a nation and especially little to those on the ground. It is odd he hadn't learned a lesson from what was credited by many as his shining moment - standing at ground zero speaking to the workers there in the midst of that carnage. He gave those folks and a whole nation hope at a time when we were all left feeling angry, sad and vulnerable.

John Maxwell says "leadership is influence". Since we all are in that sense leaders at one time or another in our lives it will pay if we all try to deal out hope to those around us.

Self inflicted wounds

Resentment, fear and regret. We all experience them from time to time but if unchecked they can begin to rule our lives. They become weights we drag around and worse they are barriers to success. They steal our joy and ruin relationships.

In "5 things a millionaire taught me" the author puts at #1 to be be grateful. The author makes the point that being grateful before being a millionaire was much tougher but non the less made him much happier with what ever he had.

When we are grateful resentment, fear and regret have less place in our lives.

Captain America cries

So last night I saw Captain America cry. Actually I had a large part in his crying .... it was sad and I fear he hates me now because of it. The good news is his parents seemed to forgive me and it was nice to hang out with them as we strolled along collecting candy. Last night was a reminder of how fun the holidays can be when spent with friends if even for a little while and even if super heroes do occaisionaly cry.