[Today, September 11, 2016, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the terrorist act on the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania which took the lives of over 3,000 innocent people. Fifteen years ago, I wrote the following "Friday Story" in an effort to express the many elements of sorrow, fear, and hope that earmarked that tragic day. Today, we still have many of those elements still with us, and most likely they will always be our companions. However, it is hope that we hold onto most dearly in our efforts to comfort the wounded and bring peace to those who continue to suffer fifteen years later.]
Life places people, events, stories, triumphs, and tragedies in our path to see how we will react or respond to such things. Sometimes, we adjust the path of our lives due to certain events and set off in a different direction. These "turning points" or milestones in our lives can be minor or be complete transformations. While other times, we come across people, events, stories, triumphs, and tragedies, and we keep on going; not caring to look back or reflecting on what has just passed us by.
"I can't seem to pass Level 64!” exclaimed my wife for what seemed like the twentieth time.
"It's just so frustrating. Sheryl is on Level 70. How is she doing it?" my wife continued.
"Can't help you, JoMarie. I don't know what you are talking about. Ask Lauren. I think she is on Level 150 or something." I said, as I shook my head and left the room.
Lesson Plans for Life
Some time ago when I was teaching a college class on responsible leadership, I asked the class to play the "Telephone Game." The "Telephone Game" is a classic communication game in which the person in the front of the room is given a short phrase to remember and then whispers the phrase into the ear of the person next to them. The process continues until the phrase reaches the last person in the room. The phrase I used that day was, "Great teams become great when each team member does more than their role, and each team member delivers their absolute best."