Day 32 - Two Little Words - Look Forward

As the author of four fact-based books, I can honestly say that I always forget how much work goes into writing a book... until I begin writing the next book. It's an uphill battle.  

​But, in the end, it's definitely worth it.

Likewise, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people tell me, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”  Usually, that statement is followed by questions regarding my journey into the realm of the published.  And for every question I get, I always tell people, “Just start writing; don’t worry about the format – or even the content.”
 
Inevitably, the conversation takes a few turns regarding the reasons why they have not yet written their book… as well as reasons why they will never write their book.
 
I always listen in amazement.
 
Why am I amazed?
 
I am amazed at the fact that a person can tell me, “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” and within a few minutes, give me a list of reasons why they will never write said book.
 
               Sad, but true.  

But I am also amazed about good things.
 
For example, many years ago, I worked for a really great leader.  Let’s call him “Ted.”
 
Long after Ted and I parted ways, he developed a rare form of cancer, and doctors gave him a prognosis that would make most people cringe, cry, and crumple under the immense pressure of fact, fiction, and/or freakishly false medical advice.
 
What did Ted do?  

He launched a massive research effort and found a doctor on the other side of the world – and he went there, underwent surgery, and subsequently enjoyed many years of cancer-free life. 
 
Oh, by the way, he subsequently escorted his wife on a once-in-a-lifetime African expedition, deep within the African Safari.
 
               Amazing, but true.
 
Whether Ted knew it or not, he was one of my all-time favorite leaders.  Indeed, over the years following our working relationship, we somehow kept in touch with each other.  And during the lunches that we managed to work into our massively busy schedules, I expressed my gratitude for his leadership. 
 
Interestingly enough, as brilliant of a man as Ted is, I was most impressed with one particular act of passion, pride, and (good) paternalism.  
 
What was that one act?
 
Well… back when I was an unmarried workaholic, I attended a fundraiser where Ted and his wife were also in attendance.  The event was well-attended by the conservative crowd, with a mix of singles, young couples, and a small contingent of older-yet-still-youngish married couples.  Ted and his wife were part of the latter crowd.
 
And there in that cavernous room full of people, Ted sat with his wife close in front of him, her back to his chest, and his arm gently but confidently around her torso, her hand in his, and his hand lovingly holding hers.
 
To me, that one act conveyed so much Truth.
 
It said, “I love this woman, and everyone here should know it.”
 
It also said, “I love this woman, and I know she knows it.”
 
That one act also said, “I love this woman.”  (period)
 
Now, the other people in the room probably thought nothing of this simple act.  But, then again, I believe most people did not pay attention to Ted the way I did.  I liked Ted as a teacher, a leader, and a layperson.
 
               A layperson?
 
Yes… I liked Ted when he was being just plain ol’ Ted.
 
As a leader, he was a teacher.  As a teacher, he was a leader.  And as a layperson... a plain ol’ regular guy... he was still leading and teaching.  Such an integration of principles, politics, and practical preaching inspired me to do great things.
 
Politics?  Preaching?  Yes.  For you see, Ted’s politics were his principles (I never knew his particular American political association – it simply wasn’t relevant).  

And his preaching?
 
Well, as Frances Assisi once said...
 
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."
 
And if you and I are really using this e-course to move forward, we will have to get a tad bit better at using our very own lives to teach others how to live.  

As difficult as other people may appear to be…  

As difficult as our everyday challenges during this pandemic may actually be, let’s skip the words and look forward to teaching, preaching, and leading by example. 
 
That brings us to this 32nd e-note titled LOOK FORWARD.
 
Notwithstanding all that we have read over these last 31 Days and Two Little Words, I’d like for us to begin the actual practice of looking forward.  Please note my use of the word practice.  To practice something is to engage in it habitually and almost religiously.  To practice something is to achieve an act through repetition.  To practice looking forward, we will have to start all over again, every single day, writing a brand-new chapter in our Book of Life.  

Ted understood this fact.  
 
You, too, have a very real opportunity to write a brand new chapter.

Regardless of what has happened over the last few weeks, and regardless of how daunting the stairs look as we climb each successive step, please recall the words of Dr. Martin Luther King when he said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Together, we can take the next step in faith.

Indeed, I believe in you. I believe in us.
 
Our next new chapter is a not a re-write of the old stuff. 

Looking forward is all about the next first-edition.  

And even though we know life will likely throw us some pretty tough turns ahead, by now we should all know that a bend in the road is not the end of the road unless we fail to make the turn.
 
Looking back will not get us there.  Whether you are sick, shameful, or full of sorrow... positively looking forward, setting goals, making plans, and executing those plans are the best prescriptions for what ails us all.
 
I will close this e-note by sharing a powerful essay by Mr. James Allen.
 
Do with it what you will, but please consider it a gift from me to you.
  
Do it on purpose!   Your mission for today: LOOK FORWARD.
 
Read the letter essay by James Allen (CLICK HERE)
 
Forgive. Focus. Find. Accept. Adapt. Achieve. ®   

John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.

Principal consultant at The PIE Group, and Executive Director of TeenBuilding USA, [a non-profit 501c(3)], John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life, a teen-focused guide, Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens, and the Christian-based book, God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life.
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

​Read the letter essay by James Allen by CLICKING HERE