There is always hope for a prophet in his own town as long as there is Faith(in yourself)

I was sitting in church today listening to the Sermon which centered around Mark’s Gospel Section 6. We have all used the phrase almost to the point of ad nausea. You know that phrase, the one that states that a prophet is never recognized in his own country. Well the actual quote of that phrase is “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Oh my, my a major light bulb went off in my head as I began to really think about this. Well, yes, I had been using that phrase often of late. I have been using this phrase almost as an excuse as to why I have not been achieving as much as I would like. As much, as I should. After listening to the sermon and then re reading the verse and text for emphasis, the clarity became crystal clear.
Well first, I probably should provide some background on my situation. To be clear, I have been allowing myself to focus on others accomplishments elsewhere and allowing quicksand to enter into my arena. John Maxwell has always stated that when you are in over your head that it matters not how deep the water is. I will insert a brief story of a local situation that I had been fighting for the last couple of years. As of the date of this writing, I am a fully certified Teacher, Trainer and Coach of the John Maxwell Team. Add to that an additional certification by Dr. Robert Rohm in Personality Insights that makes me a Human Behavior Specialist. Now with credentials such as these you would think that the organization that I have been helping and working with for the past several years would jump at the opportunity to use my services and work to raise the lids of that organization. Unfortunately, they have not. They began asking and questioning about returns on investment and why do they need Leadership Training? As sorry as that sounds, the answer is not in my abilities but rather the fact that a prophet is not…  Now my thoughts on this topic go much deeper than this and I began to ponder how many of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership were being impacted and ignored. One thing I have learned about the Laws are that the Laws are the Laws. The answer is…ALL of them!
What I have learned and realized is that I cannot waste time waiting for that organization or any organization to come around and utilize my services. I have realized that I must move forward and seek other opportunities. As a result, opportunities have already begun appearing. They have been appearing because I was not a prophet (known to them) in their organizations. And the most important point that I have learned is the importance of my collaborating and partnering with others who live in other geographic locations. This is paramount as it allows me to help and work with other members of my Team who would be looked upon as prophets in their own towns.
In conclusion and going back to Mark 6, while I may not and have not yet accomplished as many major works locally to date, there are many positive irons in the fire that will have big payoffs. My question to you is to ask how has this principle both affected and effected you in what you do? What have you done to counteract this? What options can you put into effect? Contact me at [email protected] and let me help you put a plan together.
Peace. BB
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

I Have Not Yet Begun To Lead!

Happy 239th Birthday America. Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.
As I sit here writing this, those who are American like me,  are about to  celebrate Independence Day also known as the 4th of July with fireworks and BBQ’s and so much more. The original 4th of July of 1776 seems like it was so long ago and yet it was just 239 years ago. A mere minute in the total amount of time that man has been on Earth and even a mere speck in that of the total that our planet has been around. Values go hand in hand with Transformation. How the consistency and evolution of these values are paramount to the continuation and fulfillment of Transformation. And thus came about The Declaration of Independence, one of the most important documents to ever be written and loaded with a multitude of values. In fact, it was because of these values that many were inspired and compelled to face the hardships of what lay ahead on the road to what was hoped to be a better way of life. Let me also mention as an aside, that the Laws are of equal importance but whether you choose to agree with them or not, the Laws are the Laws. Thus, when cited in the document, the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God are indeed valuable. But it is the changing or adopting of specific Values that lead us down that Road less traveled by.
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” and that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of  happiness should never be violated. A Document so profound in all of history that ended with “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor”… and so my story of Leadership and Valor continues below…
This story is posted today, as we prepare to celebrate…in our Now! My story takes place on September 23rd 1779, 236 years ago.
We have all had situations where things were not going well. I am sure that you can relate to a job situation where because of leadership or the lack thereof your boss has caused you to lose your sense of morale, support and desire to be there. I am sure that you have seen or been amongst individuals at the job who just don’t care anymore because…well quite frankly…what’s the point? What’s the use? Why bother? One of the first things that you and your peers begin to do is to talk down the situation and feed on the negativity of the situation to the point where all you live for is that negativity. In fact, rather than work to defend your organization or situation and seek to improve it, the reverse is true. It may even get to the point that you seek to be elsewhere or find a new job. Have you ever looked at the reason why you may be seeking job after job after job? Is your boat leaking or taking on water so badly that all that is left for you to do is abandon ship or face going down with her?
In September of 1779, a young  Naval Captain was in command of a ship borrowed from the French and refitted to be a warship to help out the fledging infant Continental Navy (not yet the United States) during this American Revolution. The ship was renamed the Bonhomme Richard (literally translated Poor Richard after the almanac by Ben Franklin). Her state of affairs was so deplorable that her crew took no pride in her and would really have wanted to be somewhere else. She leaked and creaked, her crew at times wondering how she stayed afloat. She had only half the fire power of the British ships she might encounter. Her speed left a lot to be desired. BUT…she was home to the crew.
On that fateful day of 23 September Jones encountered the British warship “Serapis”. The Serapis was far faster and outgunned the Bonhomme Richard but into the battle, into the fray she went. For over 4 hours the battle ensued at the cost of nearly half of Jones’ crew. The Richard was badly damaged, on fire and taking on water. Realizing the situation Captain Jones ordered the crew to move along side the British Serapis and grapple the 2 ships together. If he was going to sink, by God, he would take the British ship with him. Hand to hand fighting took place. At one point the American Flag had fallen due to a broken mast causing the British captain to call out asking if the Americans had surrendered. Jones seizing the moment was heard to yell…Surrender? Surrender? Sir!  “I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT”! The American crew rallied, rehoisted the flag and went on to win the day even though the Bonhomme Richard would eventually sink mortally wounded. I can guarantee you that not a man still living on that crew thought about the misgivings of their ship prior to the battle and that not a man was not remorseful to see THEIR ship, THEIR home sink.
I ask you in closing, no matter what country you are living in… Are you prepared to show Leadership and work for and take pride in what you are busy complaining about at work or home? Are you prepared to defend your ship or just willing to man the boats and go elsewhere? We are seeing so much today that is troubling and you wonder whether tomorrow will be any better in a country that is still the Greatest in the World no matter its shortfalls. Remember that Transformation begins in each one of us. As with Jones’ rallying cry of “I have not yet begun to fight” I challenge you to rally around Your new Motto, Your new Battle Cry….”I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO LEAD”!

  [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]