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Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way

1994
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Pokin’ Fun | Doc Blakely

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “There go my people. I must catch them for I am their leader.” Gandhi lead the nation of India because he said clever things like that and had a very small budget since he wore a sheet, sandals with no socks, shaved his head and his staff consisted of a stick. He preached love and understanding and nobody dared to disagree with him because he was always running behind the crowd with that stick.
I mention this because I recently attended a DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) meeting which honored some young leaders from local high schools recognizing them for their leadership qualities and willingness to serve humanity. It was a big honor because only one person was selected from each school in the county and the votes that elected these potential future leaders, 4 girls and 2 boys, came from both the staff and the students. I was asked to say a few words to lift their spirits to even loftier heights, to face the winds of challenge, to rise up on the wings of victory and soar with wings of Eagles…as long as I kept it under “a couple of minutes.” It takes me that long to take off my seat belt and crash helmet when I drive the zero turn lawn mower so I told them a joke that I thought Mahatma would approve.
You see, “Bubba” was a young leader eager to serve too. He applied for a job opening down at the Sheriff’s office. He was told that if he answered 3 questions right he would get the job.
“What is the capital of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana?” Bubba answered, “T, A and L.” The Sheriff said that was not what he had in mind but had to admit it was technically correct.
“Name two days of the week that start with a T.” Bubba said, “Today and tomorrow.” Again he was given a passing grade for creative thinking.
“Who killed Abraham Lincoln?” Bubba replied that he didn’t know anything about that one, wasn’t anywhere near where it happened and had an alibi for whenever it was.
The Sheriff told him to go home, do some research on it and if he could find out the name of the culprit within a week to come back and he would be considered for the job. Bubba went straight to the Livestock Auction Café to celebrate. He ordered a chicken fried steak, chicken fried French fries, a side order of lard and a diet coke to celebrate. His buddies asked how the interview went and he said, “I don’t like to brag but they asked me a couple of questions and I did so well that they already got me working on a murder case.”
Bubba got the job, mopping floors in the jail. In his own way he serves and leads. Be proud of what you do. www.docblakely.com

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