A Time of Reflection

Having a difficult time deciding where I belong. Not in the general sense - I am a proud father and husband and derive much joy from spending time with my family. However, in the grand scheme of things I am struggling with where I belong. It could be the 21 days of rain and counting. It could be the current state of work. It could be my ongoing battle with the flu. It could be my constant wondering - "Is this where I belong?" or it could be the lifetime of insecurity - hoping others will accept me - allowing me to fit in and know "This is where I belong"

Have been thinking a lot about the reasons leaders choose to become leaders. I know no one ever got into public life or into a leadership role not to do good, I just wonder sometimes if that is really the best way.

Leadership comes in many forms but good leadership is the same no matter what form - it's for the right reasons and it inspires everyone to want to follow - because they are excited about where they're going. Maybe that's why i am struggling right now - no excitement about where i am going.

Time to dig deep and realize it's an exciting ride everyday - i just need to open my eyes.

A True Leader

Sat in awe last night watching former President Bill Clinton deliver an amazing speech on the true issues facing North America - Energy and Global Warming.

Asked to speak on Canada/US relations, Clinton basically told the jampacked audience that as close neighbhors we will continue to squabble from time to time but the bigger issue is the condition of the world today and into the future.

Clinton's conversation style puts his audience at ease before he hits them with startling facts and personal revelations that turn their world upside down. His style, his delivery and his knowledge create a delivery second to none - he truly is one of the greatest orators of our time.

To me this is a key ingredient in being a true leader - the ability to communicate. A remember the best communicators are also the best listeners!

Keep listening - you never know what you might hear.

My Time with Cyrus Eaton

Just finished speaking with my dad and all is well on the home front. My mother continues to have a brilliant time in London - a true trip of a lifetime for her!

Dad sent me some pictures of a day we spent with Cyrus Eaton who, if you don't know, was perhaps one of the most influential men in our history - see below.

It got me to thinking about the things I could do to make this world a better place to live. Cyrus Eaton was an extraordinary leader who made a real difference to the lives of everyone - not just at the time he was alive but for future generations. He was a man who literally put his money where his mouth was and used it to explore the notions of peace on earth. Present day leaders should further explore the life of Cyrus Eaton - the quiet man from Pugwash Nova Scotia who changed the face of the world!

"One of the great things I hope to accomplish is to get people of different faiths, different nationalities and different tongues to get together and find they are actually brothers after all." — Cyrus Eaton.

CYRUS EATON

• financier and philanthropist
• born in Pugwash, Nova Scotia
• graduated from McMaster University
• became active in public utilities in the US, 1906-1912
• organized Continental Gas and Electric Corporation
• became director of the Otis and Co. banking house in 1925
• became interested in the steel business, and after a series of mergers formed Republic Steel Corp.
• founded the Pugwash Intellectual Life Conference - and the International Pugwash Conferences of Nuclear Scientists in 1957 in the fifties and sixties, he advocated the then unpopular view that there should be increased diplomacy with Russia
• Lenin Peace Price, 1960
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• books include:
• Financial democracy (1941)
• The professor talks to himself (1942)
• A capitalist looks at labor (1947)
• Canada's choice (1959)

R&R - Not As Easy As it Seems

Okay - so skipping past the teasing and jokes, I had a vasectomy yesterday. A decision made about where we are and where we are going. We are so lucky to have Ben and he is the true joy in our lives.

So here I am laying on the sofa for 24 hours and I must tell you that I'm not real good at just being. TV is bad, news is repetative and work just seems wrong in a time like this.

SO yes I may be a work-a-holic (yes i have been working a bit) and yes I may have trouble spending time doing nothing, but it has also got me thinking about what i want and where i need to me. I feel changes swelling up inside like a tidal wave that will soon flow forward. More and more each day I know a little more about who i am and where i am going.

Back to the frozen peas!!!

Lifes Like That Sometimes

Have you ever had one of those days where you raise your head for air and find out that it's several hours past what you thought and your day has accomplished little. No searching today - didn't have time to finish anything!!!

Tomorrow promises to be better. A real opportunity to meet with elected leaders who have a real opportunity to make a difference.

Stay tuned....