Lessons from the Old Guy

As we journey through life, we have moments of ups and times of down. We have moments of defeat and moments of greatness; but what do we really gain from these experiences?

Friends, life teaches us. Life’s lessons help us grow into who we are. They give us the wisdom to mold and guide our children. I would like to share with you three life lessons that have inspired me.

First, it is ok to ask for help; or, just simply submit to the help of others. Second, those things in life that are most important to us are worthy of a fight and perseverance. The third, always give thanks and to be thankful.

I would like to share with you the story of the old guy through his experience and fight, I was inspired and touched by his life lessons. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day in November. You could smell the hay in the barn. The old guy and his grandson had just finished doing chores around the farm; fixing fences, plowing fields. The grandson and the old guy were putting away the tools and tractors for the day. They were getting ready to call it a day.

Suddenly there was a BANG --- CRASH; the grandson looked up and saw the tractor rolling across the pasture without its driver. The driver, the old guy, lay next to his barn, broken, scared and fighting for each breath. The old guy called out to his grandson, “call 9-1-1.” He then told his grandson, “I’m dying.”

HELICOPTER ARRIVAL TRAUMA ROOM 1! The old guy is rolled into trauma room one. The Trauma doctor was directing the trauma team like a well-rehearsed symphony; calling out orders, asking for vitals. They were desperately trying to save the old guy’s life.

A short-time later, the trauma doctor met with the family and explained that he would be putting a tube down the old guy’s throat to help him breathe. He also told them that he would be giving him drugs that would knock him out for quite a while; if you have something to say to the old guy, now would be a good time.

The grandson walked up to his grandfather, placed his hand on the old guy’s shoulder, leaned over and put his face next to the old guy’s and said; “Fight Grandpa, Fight! I love you.” For a moment, a very brief moment, the old guy opened his eyes, looked up at his grandson and mouthed the words; “I will fight!” Indeed, the old guy’s fight had just begun.

The old guy would fight for his life for the next two and half months. At the end of the third month, he goes home to his family and his grandson. Banged, bruised and sore but very much alive!

A few months later, the old guy would return to the Emergency Room and the Critical Care Unit to give thanks to those who help save his life.

Ladies and gentlemen, we call all walk away inspired by the old guy’s story and the lessons it provides us. First, it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to ask a family member or friend to help you start a business or to solve a difficult problem. It’s ok to ask for help.

Second, those things in life that are most important and most precious to us, including life itself, are very worthy of the fight and perseverance. Fight for your self-discipline, fight for what’s right, fight to over-come those obstacles and challenges that face each and every one of us every day of lives.  Fight!

Third and perhaps the most important lesson, always give thanks and be thankful. Give thanks to those who help us. Be thankful for our family and our friends.

Oh yes, the old guy. He made a full recovery and is doing very well today. You see, the old guy, he’s my father, my hero and my mentor.  And the grandson, he's my son of whom I am very proud.
               
These are the lessons from the old guy

Copyright 2013 - Eric Dunham

Leaders Serve All

I have come to understand and appreciate truly effective leaders. There are seminars on leadership, leading teams; leading through change…the list goes on. What kills me is how freely the word “leader” or “leadership” is used to describe anyone but a leader. You have heard it; “the school’s leadership is looking into…” or “the project team leader is seeking to understand…” The problem is, they don’t lead, they politicize or worse yet, do nothing.  I do believe with commitment and having a great mentor, leaders can be developed. They are not born...they use their life expereinces to understand people and situations.

It is my opinion; a true leader does not desire nor seeks the recognition of being a leader. The best leaders I have had the pleasure to meet, know and work for were often times quiet and simply set a vision or direction and left the solution to the leader’s loyal team of experts to carry out the actions.  A leader uses kind words, words of encouragement, seek unity, negotiates, assures the necessary resources are available to achieve the vision, demonstrates  tolerance, understands the impacts of their decisions and connects with the people, customers and team.

Leaders simply get things done through example, respect for others and focusing on a vision.

Two of the best examples of highly effective leaders in my opinion are; Sir Ernest Shackleton (Feb 15, 1874 – Jan 5, 1922); the story of the Endurance and President Ronald Reagan (Feb 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) in bringing an end to the Cold War.

I would encourage anyone interested in leadership to read “Shackleton’s Way” by Margot Morrell, Stephanie Capparell and Alexandra Shackleton. The book provides some great insight into a highly effective leader who overcame the odds and saved his crew from an almost certain death.

Leaders serve in the interest of all.

Overcome fear, improve self confidence and achieve greatness!

I finally made it to the 21st century - my first blog! Fear holds us back all too often. Fear is the barrier to success and the anchor that holds many of us back from achieving greatness.

Here it is 2012 and finally.....a blog! I attribute my success in moving forward with the blog to Toastmasters. I joined Parker Toastmasters - http://www.parkertoastmasters.com/ - in August 2010 with the goal of improving my presentation and public speaking skills. What followed was not planned nor ever a goal.

I gave a number of speeches from the Competent Communicator manual. The first speech, the "Ice Breaker" I was absolutely terrified, the second speech I bombed BUT with the third and fourth speeches came success and the learning curve began an upward trend. By June of 2011, I was elected as the VP of Education for our club and started to encourage the new members to embrace the "Ice Breaker" and start their personal journey in achieving the goals they set for themselves.

Today, some of my personal successes I directly attribute to Toastmasters. My self-confidence has sky rocketed, my speaking skills sharpened and I now speak at events about charities I support and the important work they do. I have overcome the fear of publishing a blog and encouraged to share my thoughts through the great contributions of Toastmasters International and the local Parker Toastmasters club.