Love Learn Lead May 18, 2017

As you may have noticed, all this month we are talking about different aspects of our identity and becoming who we are meant to be. For this reason, today’s Love, Learn, Lead has the potential to give you a lot to think about. Each one has the ability to become an opportunity for self-reflection. So, if you feel inclined, grab your journal and approach today’s post as a “Choose Your Own Adventure”—pick one that fits the emotional or intellectual page your are on, and dive in. Thoughtfully write out your answers to the questions. Take notes on the podcast shared in Lead. Or, read all three, taking in some wisdom as you need it.

Love

On Monday, I talked about the importance of not finding our identity in our careers. I shared the struggle I had when I discovered that my worth was wrapped up in my job, and how a mentor helped me create a healthy separation between my identity and my career. One thing that was important for me to do on this journey, was reflecting on the people and things I loved, and then making more time in my schedule for them. I joined a yoga class, made plans to regularly have dinner with friends, and I became a part of a church community of people around my age (where I met my husband). If you are trying to rediscover your identity outside of your job, a good place to start is by asking:

What do I love to do? Or what do I think I’d love doing outside of work?

What people (non-coworkers) do I need to spend more time with?

Learn

“If my daughter says to me, ‘Mom I shouldn’t practice my piano today because I’ll never be Mozart,’ I will say in reply, ‘you’re not practicing piano to be Mozart.’”

—Angela Duckworth, Grit

There are far greater reasons for learning and practicing the Arts, athletic training, and certain skill sets that go far beyond becoming famous or being a prodigy. For years, I let the fact that I won’t every be William Shakespeare or Flannery O’Connor keep me from writing—until I realized that writing was a key piece in finding and expressing my voice.

What famous people keep you from pursuing your craft?

What do you need to practice today, even if no one ever knows about it?

Lead

Long before last year’s election season, there seemed to be a growing sense of division in our country. An “Us versus Them” mentality surfaced long before the presidential candidates announced their campaigns. The dividing lines go much deeper than the headlines heralding red versus blue, or black versus white. And though politic’s brought all that was simmering to a boil, the heat has yet to be turned down.

But the answer isn’t in legislation. It is found in you and me getting to know our neighbors. It is found in becoming more aware of the ways we misunderstand and label one another—and then, seeking forgiveness and change.

This month, Jo Saxton and Stephanie O’Brien, on their podcast Lead Stories, have started an excellent series on Stigma’s. If we are ever going to bring about healing and reconciliation in our country, one of the things we must look at are the hurtful ways we label one another. As leaders, we have a lot of work to do to bring about change, but first, we have much to learn. You can check out their podcast here and here.