The content of my weekly blogs is drawn primarily from ancient Hebrew wisdom literature, while the 2020 format was inspired by James Clear’s “3-2-1” Thursdays. Building from my recent book UNBEATABLE! Seven Pillars of Personal Excellence, each week you will receive One Pillar/Proverb, One Principle and One Practical.
One Pillar
“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice”-Jim Collins, author.
One Principle
How do we learn about greatness? We can read books about the subject. Perhaps we may decide to look at movies with persons who we consider to be courageous and skillful. Or maybe, there’s someone in your sphere of influence who is an exemplary portrayal of what it means to be great.
I want to take the time this week to express gratitude to the women in our lives. They display greatness, day in and day out in different ways. My mother, the late Ruth Marcus, would have turned 78 years on April 17, 2020, were she still alive. I’ve learnt so much from her. My wife, Michelle, is wise, insightful, and has the capacity to love people deeply. She’s a gift from God. This week, CNN published an eye-opening article in which they highlighted a number of countries that have done brilliantly in the fight against COVID-19 including Taiwan, Germany, New Zealand, Finland and Iceland. Here’s the clincher: they all have female leaders.
These women and so many others have made consistent conscious choices that have shaped their character and leadership. May we never take them for granted.
One Practical
My challenge this week borrows language from a wonderful book I finished recently entitled, The Shepherd Leader at Home, by Timothy Witmer. He simply says two powerful words as he closed his book: “Cherish her.”
To learn more about these pillars of personal excellence, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
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Today is a special day with so many memories of Mummy Marcus, a name she received from me, who taught me well in the time I knew her. Thank you for the reminder the importance of cherishing the women in our lives who have made a difference, like my mom when she was alive and still making a difference in my life, to this very day. I am forced to reflect on the female friendships I currently have who have helped me well, such as my life-long friend, Lovette Bailey, Ronke Cunningham, a constant in my life and Allison Boodoo, who I cherish in leaps and bounds.
Thanks Tyrone, this was very insightful and timely.. gives me much to think about as it relates to the women in my life and the home front at this time …
Indeed Nanieno. Our lives are enriched by these special women in our lives.
Thanks for your wonderful tributes Michelle to all of these women who have helped you along your personal growth journey.
Thank you Tyrone, this is indeed encouraging. I too am grateful for the woman God put in my life. We were laughing about when you doing marriage counselling you have to ask the couples would you be able to handle be shut up in your house with her/him for months and not be able to leave. To be on lock down and still enjoy each day with Gale is a blessing. God gave me an incredible woman.
Count your blessings Shawn and take good care of her! Your gratitude is commendable.