Life and Random Thinking

Wild & Wet in Mexico

Posted on July 26, 2011 by dfolstad58

Image via Wikipedia

Mexico wild & wet! No this is not a story about parties, and bikini contests. This is an introduction to a heartwarming rescue.

The youtube video is about 8 minutes long and story is true and touching. The story also speaks of the incredible pollution in the ocean. In fact I read today about problems at Midway.

This is the same island from the Pacific Ocean battle six months after Pearl Harbour. The battle now is not between Japanese warships and American warships. The battle now is for the birdlife. The birds on the island are on a marine expressway of plastic garbage, the adult birds regurgitate the plastic thinking it is fish to the young and the young birds are choking and dying.

Oh sorry, I digress – this youtube is about a whale also a victim of mankind but the plastic is nylon netting. See the story, exult in a real happy ending.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged humpback whale, rescue | 1 Comment

Don’t Lose the Wave !

Posted on July 21, 2011 by dfolstad58

An article in the newspaper (to the left is a link) reported that Canadians were becoming less courteous on our roads. The article suggested that people were forgetting to give the ” thank you ” wave when people were courteous letting them in, and being patient etc.

This trend must surely stem from outside our roads and from our daily lives.

Are we forgetting to be courteous in our daily interactions also? Are we forgetting the waves of recognition – the acknowledging please and thank-you we give with our open palm in the car, and by our eyes and voices in daily life.

Sadly I suspect the article may be accurate. However, I would like to believe that etiquette is not dead everywhere. I am fortunate as it seems in this little town where I live, the pleasantries, and manners my grandparents and parents taught me are still strong, or at least still present.

GOOD NEWS AND ACTS OF KINDNESS

There is lots of good news everywhere, even in sports! I was watching the news last night and it showed a boy who received a baseball from one of the players at a ball game. Of course he was happy and dancing around. He was probably only about 11 years old.

After a few minutes it was noted on camera that he generously gave away the ball (he had only just danced around and showed off) to another younger boy at the same game, a stranger. The younger boy was clinging to his mom and obviously upset because he had also tried to get the baseball but he was unsuccessful. The happy news event showed the first boy give the ball away to the younger boy.

It was fortunate for the first boy that his act of kindness was noticed by the ball team as later that game he was rewarded for his act of kindness with a signed bat from the team. What a nice real life event. 🙂

Here is another happy real life event! – I hope you have a great day!

Remember the wave.

Posted in Thinking Out loud, Uncategorized | Tagged Ball game, Good News | Leave a comment

I am a Leader but I’m not the Boss

Posted on July 19, 2011 by dfolstad58

Yoga at the Beach

The Leader is the boss, Right? It is funny that we think so, but certainly for Toastmasters I would disagree.

A good leader is part of a team, perhaps someone that the team is looking toward for guidance, and leadership by example.

The previous Area 38 District 21 Governor certainly illustrates that principle of leadership by example. Friendly, positive comments and encouragement and all the while she continued doing speeches from manuals and supporting clubs in her District. Last year while being involved with a Spring Conference in a leadership role, and being an Area Governor, she also achieved Distinguished Toastmaster. My hat is off to you Jodi!

So what makes a good leader so successful? Honesty is one area but that honesty is tempered by kindness and sensitivity. A leader also can not be shy.

A leader must ask for what they want, the worst is that they will get a no, but more often they will obtain Yeses especially when the leader is doing more than lip service to achievement. Leaders lead by example best, when their sleeves are rolled up and they are not averse to actual work themselves and seen working! I must work at being that example, and encourage others by my behavior.

One of the neatest ironies of success coupled with committment is that almost universally results in satisfaction and more enjoyment. The Clubs who are organized, committed, and well-run with speeches from manuals each week are also the more FUN!

The Club members and leaders envision success together, and they make a plan together, and execute the plan together. Fun, and achievement are a direct result, and as you can imagine guests just want to join when they feel and see an organized club. Who wouldn’t want to be successful and have a enjoyable time doing so?

I am one person in a role of Leadership in Area 38 this year. I envision success for all four clubs and that success will be the direct result of creativity and enthusiasm from everyone in all four clubs, including myself. It all starts with a vision to succeed and all of us together making that plan to success, and following that plan.