I was thinking back to one of my favorite comics this morning as I danced around the room. There are certain songs that make me just dance around like there is no one else in the world. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of my grooving and it made me write… Wind and branches Arms Grasshoppers and ants Feet Squint and squished Eyes Hula-hoop and grind ...
Contents 1 Defense and Military 2 Reputation of a Prince 3 Generosity vs. Parsimony 4 Cruelty vs. Mercy 5 Avoiding contempt and hatred 6 Gaining Honors 7 Nobles and Staff 8 Avoiding Flatterers 9 Fortune 10 Share this: The past few weeks my read of choice before bed is The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli. While the book speaks volumes to the monarchy of yesteryear, the implications for a “Prince” like myself are astronomical. The book has had a direct impact on my leadership outlook and helped me to better understand roles. Forgot the cheese and focus on a classic. The book is a chapter-by-chapter breakdown on leadership principles for Princes of the post-Roman empire. Machiavelli does a wonderful job showcasing both sides of a coin. For example Machiavelli correctly points out that a leader must strike a balance between cruelty and mercy. A leader cannot be totally loved and respected and likewise cannot be totally hated and respected. This same chapter discusses the implications of the people loving or hating you and assassination. A very inclusive chapter. As with all principles it is important to take them in small doses. A modern day leader can lean upon the ideals portrayed but not engulf them. My teams would certainly be opposed to my hanging them to deal with disgruntled employees. Or maybe I am just a weak modern leader, a good hanging never hurt anyone. ...
What is your passion? The collegiate response is that passion is an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. Passion is a word that posses a meaning that extends well above the simple context modern language employs. Love, passion, hate and pain. All these words share the deep meaning of emotional context greater than the letters and breath they are spoken with. Asking someone what they are passionate about, is to me, tearing beyond menial life. Ask someone what they do in life and you get the response that they are married, have a kid, drive a nice car, and work for such-and-such. I yearn to know someone deeper than the exhibit you display for the world. What is it that makes you wake up in the morning? ...
In a world of twitter and 140 character posts, how will the world change in the realm of memoirs? My memoirs are here, each blog a cross section of my intellect and soul. In the past it was the desire after someone’s passing to know their deepest thoughts on a subject or introspective review of self. It is no longer a need to wait for that moment or read a book, the internet holds them all. ...
“Looks like rain today” my Mother commented as we shared an after Mass lunch. “Yesterday was a mess with all that storming” I agreed. Rain it seemed was my wayward friend this weekend and totally would not ride third wheel to my motorcycle and I getting some quality time in. Driving home from a shared meal with Mom I began to scope the clouds. There are only a few types of people who can tell the weather better than a meteorologist; farmers, fishers, and riders. I was willing to bet my street cred on the cumulus clouds perched on the horizon and made bee line straight for the house and helmet. Oscar sat by expecting our “Welcome Home” routine, but instead was left with a bad Clark Kent impression as I switched from Catholic Boy to Racer Boy. ...