A truly successful leader in any business or organisational endeavour is exemplified in their ability to galvanise and engage the support of their greatest asset . . . people
Keith Ready

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InspirEmail No 208 - May 30, 2011 - We expect more out of adults
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'
 

We expect more out of adults

Although 11-year-old Mark wasn't much of an athlete, his dad urged him to play youth baseball. Mark liked to play, but he was hurt by the remarks of teammates and spectators whenever he struck out or dropped a ball. Just before the fourth game of the season, Mark told his dad he didn't want to go. 'I'm no good,' he said . . . 'and everyone knows it.'

His father urged him to stick with it. 'Just do your best,' he said. 'That's all anyone can ask. Your best is good enough.'

Mark struck out his first two times at bat and each time looked over to his father, who struggled to look positive. In his last at-bat, Mark hit the ball solidly, the first time all season. It was a hard grounder to third base and the play at first was close.

When the umpire called Mark out, his father went wild. 'Kill the ump!'

He yelled. 'Are you blind or just stupid? If you can't do the job, stay off the field!'

On the way home, Mark broke a long silence, 'Dad, you said all anyone can ask for is to do his best.'

'That's right, son,' his father assured him. 'You did your best and I'm proud of you. But that jerk of an umpire robbed you with a bad call.'

'I wasn't talking about me,' Mark replied, 'I was talking about Billy's dad. He was the umpire. He was doing his best, but you got mad at him.'

His father was taken aback, but he said, 'Yeah, but he's an adult. We should expect more out of adults.'

Mark looked his dad in the eye. 'That's what I thought, too. By the way, I was out.'

Despite his father's good intentions, he didn't set a good example. We should expect more from adults . . . more fairness and respect, more sportsmanship and more self-restraint. If your kids play sports, be a model . . . not a problem.

Written by Michael Josephson
To learn more about the work of Michael Josephson, please visit . . . Character Counts >>>

 

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Nine insights for getting ahead

1. Work hard - follow tasks through to completion.

2. Think creatively - see challenges from new angles.

3. Speak gently - consider the impact of your words.

4. Cooperate freely - meet the need of the moment, even when it's not yours.

5. Act with integrity - be the same privately as you are publicly.

6. Honour others - recognize your coworkers' contributions.

7. See insightfully - look beyond the obvious.

8. Listen thoroughly - discern what is meant, not just what is said.

9. Respond appropriately - deal with mistakes openly and fairly.

Written by Charles R. Swindoll

 

- Inspirational Quote -

It's not what we leave our kids; it's what we leave within them that counts
Valerie Sokolosky

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