Wayne Gretzky - The Great One.
Greatest Hockey Player that ever lived turned manager turned coach has sparked the loyalty of a nation this week with the ongoing controversy over the alledged gambling ring involving his assistant coach and wife.
Some media reports have been surprised by the huge reaction from Canadians over negative press and loose allegations against Mr. Hockey, they should stop wondering - it's about leadership.
Here's a guy from Brantford Ontario who grew up to become the greatest hockey player that ever lived. He did it the old fashioned way - through hard work, dedication, commitment and an unwaivering sense of responsibility. Gretzky has been a leader on and off the ice since lacing up for that 10 and under leader at age 6. He has lived his life the way he played.
After retiring from playing his leadership did not stop. He used his star status, his shrewd business sense and his knowledge of the game to build a Team Canada dynasty- bringing gold home to its rightful place.
Finally, as coach and managing partner, Gretzky has brought excitement and potential to Pheonix.
In a time when only 65% of Canadians are interested enough to vote in federal politics - with an electorate at every level that seems less than enthused with our political leaders, they turn to those leaders who continue to inspire and give hope.
Wayne Gretzky is that symbol of eternal hope. That a young Canadian boy can grow up and become the greatest hockey player ever means that we can all achieve greatness.
Isn't that the hope all of our leaders should be trying to instill?
2 comments:
I agree with your assessment of Gretskey as a leader both on and off the ice. His present situation is a shameless pursuit by the media, who unfortunately see their role as needing to create and drive their agenda, and not just be purveyors of information.
I used to be a reporter, many years ago, and at that time the members of the press did not see their role and either needing to create news that wasn't there, or as incessant interpreters of the news, real or imagined. We simply sat quietly at the back of the room, reported on what happened, and let the readers interpret for themselves. Now, I believe, the media see their consumers as basically too stupid to interpret correctly what they see or read, and therefore have collectively appointed themselves as our only means of ever understanding what is happening in the world. And when there's no real story of interest, such as this hockey gambling thing, they feel the need, nay, the responsibility, to create news by driving the agenda toward creating news, and then reporting and interpreting on the fiasco they have created. They did this all through the recent election, and are doing it, to their shame and obvious lack of ethics, with Gretskey, and always with the House of Commons.
We will not find leaders in the media, unless by accident, and we must not allow them to do our thinking for us, individually or collectively. No wonder our politicians and sports personalities try to avoid the media people as much as is humanly possible. Openly trusting them will undoubtedly lead to disaster for giving them any measure of trust.
Leadership starts in the home at a very young age! Here's an example.
The Drug Problem
The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''
I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning.
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.
I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.
I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack,or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, the World would be a
better place.
~author unknown~
Ain't that the truth!
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