Comments on: We Are Not Poor

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:43:22 +0000

I found you through a mutual friend, Sue Seiff. Your dad’s story hit so close to my heart. Thank you for sharing it. My parents raised 10 kids on a farmer’s income. And yet I never felt anything but comfortable. Never wanting. And yet, looking back, I had so much less than most people at that time. It’s a powerful realization. My parents did a fine job of shielding me from the perspective of others and instead offered a dignified and hopeful point-of-view that allowed me, as well as my 9 siblings, to reach for an American Dream of our making. This, for me, is such a simple and powerful idea that your father bestows: our way of communicating the reality of what we want to be to our next generation; our chance to lead the youth of today to become the hope of tomorrow; our obligation to teach these gifts and not to expect them to be taught by others or to be a natural development.

Thank you for this. I think there are some wonderful applications of this philosophy, especially when it comes to our young girls, who need the leadership more than ever, now.

Wonderful to “meet” you and thanks!

By: lawrence berezin

lawrence berezin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:38:28 +0000

Susan,
Wonderful, poignant story. Our Dads have a great deal in common. I think a leader makes an implicit promise to the people he leads, that she will help them grow professionally and personally.

I love to mentor people, teach them how to learn, and develop skills from all the resources that surround them. I begin my focus on the weakest member of the team; and the quality I work on is generally, self-confidence.

Great post. Love reading your stuff.

By: Sue Seiff

Sue Seiff — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:09:32 +0000

SME,
Thank you for sharing your dad’s story, for providing so much inspiration, and for being my friend.
Luv,
Leekers

(couldn’t resist using the nicknames.)

By: Susan Mazza

Susan Mazza — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:38:57 +0000

Thank you Colin. Great quote. I look forward to hearing about what you discover in your reflections!

By: Susan Mazza

Susan Mazza — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:36:16 +0000

Well said Ava!

By: Susan Mazza

Susan Mazza — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:34:13 +0000

Excellent points Mike about the affect of our beliefs on our energy. And you got me thinking. If you met my grandmother you would probably would not have thought of her as particularly positive. Yet she had a level of determination and tenacity that was inspiring. And she raised a son who was incredibly positive and believed in himself. So perhaps that charge you are pointing to has more dimensions than positive and negative. Despite her outward demeanor I think her fundamental commitments were the energy source she transferred to the next generation.

By: Colin Lewis

Colin Lewis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:48:35 +0000

Susan you always have a way of stopping me in my tracks and you have done it again….I will be reflecting on the ponts you raise for a few days I am sure…Ava and Mike’s comments say so much and I would add Mike Todd’s quote “Many times I have been broke, but I have never been poor”.

Colin

By: ava diamond

ava diamond — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:30:38 +0000

Great story, Susan. I’m from Westbury, by the way, not too far from Baldwin. My sister still lives in the house we grew up in.

I absolutely agree that our perceptions create our reality, and that leaders are charged with expanding the thinking and the perceptions of the folks they are privileged to lead.

When I speak to leaders, I talk to them about “painting the picture” (the vision) for their folks. I talk about making it big, and bold, and making it so real for them, that they begin to be able to imagine themselves in that picture, in the new reality.

It’s the leader’s job to help people see how big they can become, and to expand their perceptions about what they can accomplish.

It’s the leader’s job to help people see that they are 100% responsible for their choices, and for their results.

It’s the leader’s job to hold true to the vision of what’s possible.

And it sounds like this was done so well in your family, Susan. Thanks for sharing the story.

By: Mike Henry

Mike Henry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:12:02 +0000

Great story Susan. You’re correct that our beliefs affect our actions and our perceptions. Some of my beliefs include that people matter and that they make a difference. We all carry a charge, either positive or negative. Our energy comes through everything we do, even our writing on the web or in written word. We can choose to be a positive charge or a negative one. The cool thing is we get the same energy we give. If we try to hoard our positive charge, we lose it. If we give it away, we are energized as well.
Your Grandmother left a tremendous positive charge. Her charge is making a difference today. Thanks for passing it along.