Nurse Audrey's Stress Relief

Your Stress Relief Minute

Happy 2007

The gifts have been opened, the turkey and baking consumed, and everyone has been wished a “Happy New Year!” What now?

I guess its back to the regular routine of everyday life! What’s in it for you in this brand new year?

Do you operate in some type of a leadership role? Maybe not as the president, CEO, or manager of a company, but you perform duties that are essential to maintaining the health and well being of those around you.

The other day as I was watching the funeral ceremony of President Gerald Ford, I observed with interest the expressions mirrored on the faces of President George W. Bush and the three former Presidents. A number of thoughts crossed my mind as I watched and wish to share with you.

These men were all young boys at one time with promising futures.
They chose their path to leadership and focused on their goals; no doubt facing many obstacles before achieving their role as President of the United States.
I’m sure as they sat in the somber ceremony, thoughts of their own time in office may have crossed their minds and how their leadership impacted the country. They may have even wondered what their own funeral ceremony might be like.

President Gerald Ford was seen as a peace maker, who, at a difficult time in America’s history, made a significant difference in the healing and uniting of the nation. I thought, “Can we follow the example of President Ford, and in our own way become peacemakers and leaders in our own sphere of influence?"

See below for thoughts on leadership as expressed by two past Presidents.

I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don’t want to do and like it.
Harry S. Truman (1884 – 1972)
President of the United States, 1945 – 1952

Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969)
President of the United States, 1953 - 1961

A Final Note:

Even as I write, the Canadian Junior Hockey Team has just won the semi-finals of the World Junior Hockey Tournament in Sweden. It was not the captain nor the assistant captains, but the effort of the entire team working together as a unit, each leading and working in his own special way, that made the difference.

Like the young boys who later became President of the United States, these boys too are developing leadership skills today to one day becoming heroes themselves in the National Hockey League.

Congratulations Team Canada!

Till next time… “Nurse Audrey” signing off!

Questions/Comments: audrey@possibilitiesnetwork.com
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