A Few Random Thoughts
I took the road less traveled by and that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost
Sadly, one of those comments that circulates around people with leadership aspirations is, “you won’t find much traffic on the road less traveled.” Today, not many people want to take chances as the stakes seem too high and if you are not successful, recovery may be long, if at all. Even in large businesses, you will find the company culture now leans toward following the well-worn path, even if means failure at some point. In the US, the pioneer spirit is fast becoming part of folk-lore.
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson
This is usually called “permanent potential.” Much like the above comments, people are paralyzed by the thought they may doing something wrong and someone will hold them accountable. Instead, it is easier to continue “studying” the issue or problem and “take your time.” With any luck, people will forget about the issue or be distracted by the next need. Business literature is filled with examples of people becoming frustrated with their companies and moving their ideas into an entrepreneurship arena. Here, they make their product or develop their idea and can become very successful. Does the company Microsoft sound familiar? It should have been part of IBM.
“Schadenfreude”
Isn’t it amazing that someone (a German in this case) felt it necessary to invent a word for those people who take delight in the misfortune of others? I guess that explains why celebrity magazines, snoop rags and 24-hour news channels are so popular. People will buy, read or listen to the woes of others, probably so their lives don’t seem so bad. Lewis Black, an acerbic and intelligent comedian, has commented on how Christians continue to focus of the “old testament” of the Bible instead of the “new testament” that deals with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The “old testament” is definitely more bawdy and violent with such recommendations as do unto others or an eye for an eye. The “new testament” is about peace and love, at least until the end when all hell is supposed to break loose. In the “new testament” there would not be any room for a word like “Schadenfreude.” There is only one commandment: unconditional love. Imagine a world where all people embraced the idea of unconditional love instead of control or revenge. People could overcome nearly every social problem if it wasn’t for one “old testament” notion: greed.
Who would have guessed?
According to the New York Times, about 5000 pre-school children are expelled each year because of behavior problems. Education experts say many 4-year olds simply aren’t ready for the alphabet drills, quiet desk work and other academic skills now stressed at many pre-schools. Duh! Let these kids play; they have a lifetime ahead that forces them to conform.
Finally, I received a small booklet in the mail recently from the makers of an asthma medication that I use daily. I guess they wanted me to feel better about the fact I have asthma, so they listed famous people throughout history with asthma. The list was very impressive but as I read the individual’s birth and death dates, I realized that not many of these people lived past 60! Maybe I should forget about blogging and enjoy the few years I have left.
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