Glenn Cunningham's Story
The little country schoolhouse was heated by an old-fashioned,
pot-bellied coal stove. A little boy had the job of coming to school
early each day to start the fire and warm the room before his teacher
and his classmates arrived.
One morning they arrived to find the schoolhouse engulfed in flames.
They dragged the unconscious little boy out of the flaming building
more dead than alive. He had major burns over the lower half of his
body and was taken to a nearby county hospital.
From his bed the dreadfully burned, semi-conscious little boy faintly
heard the doctor talking to his mother. The doctor told his mother
that her son would surely die - which was for the best, really - for
the terrible fire had devastated the lower half of his body.
But the brave boy didn't want to die. He made up his mind that he
would survive. Somehow, to the amazement of the physician, he did
survive. When the mortal danger was past, he again heard the doctor
and his mother speaking quietly. The mother was told that since the
fire had destroyed so much flesh in the lower part of his body, it
would almost be better if he had died, since he was doomed to be a
lifetime cripple with no use at all of his lower limbs.
Once more the brave boy made up his mind. He would not be a cripple.
He would walk. But unfortunately from the waist down, he had no motor
ability. His thin legs just dangled there, all but lifeless. Ultimately
he was released from the hospital. Every day his mother would massage
his little legs, but there was no feeling, no control, nothing. Yet his determination that he would walk was as strong as ever.
When he wasn't in bed, he was confined to a wheelchair. One sunny day
his mother wheeled him out into the yard to get some fresh air. This
day, instead of sitting there, he threw himself from the chair. He
pulled himself across the grass, dragging his legs behind him.
He worked his way to the white picket fence bordering their lot. With
great effort, he raised himself up on the fence. Then, stake by stake,
he began dragging himself along the fence, resolved that he would
walk. He started to do this every day until he wore a smooth path all
around the yard beside the fence. There was nothing he wanted more
than to develop life in those legs.
Ultimately through his daily massages, his iron persistence and his
resolute determination, he did develop the ability to stand up, then
to walk haltingly, then to walk by himself - and then - to run.
He began to walk to school, then to run to school, to run for the
sheer joy of running. Later in college he made the track team.
Still later in Madison Square Garden this young man who was not
expected to survive, who would surely never walk, who could never hope
to run - this determined young man, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the
world's fastest mile!
(courtsey: Burt Dubin)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Power of Determination
Monday, June 23, 2008
Unforgettable Tour 2008
When I first heard about the Unforgettable Tour of 2008 by the superstars of India, I was so excited to see them in a concert. What is making people more excited is the fact that former Miss World and new member of Bachan family, Mrs. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will also join her husband ,Abhishek Bachchan and father-in-law, Amitabh Bachchan for the first time on a world tour starting in Toronto on 18th July 2008. The Tour will also feature Bollywood heart throb Preity Zinta, funny man Riteish Deshmukh, the superhit music director duo Vishal and Shekar, specialized Indian dancer in jazz and choreographer Shiamak Davar, and one of the most popular starts of Bollywood Akshay Kumar.
Dates of the show:
18th July - Toronto - FRIDAY
26th July - Los Angeles
27th July - San Fransisco
02nd Aug - Houston
09th Aug - Atlantic City
15th Aug - New York - FRIDAY
17th Aug - Vancouver - SUNDAY
23rd Aug - London (UK)
24th Aug - London (UK)
Buy tickets at--
https://www.desiclub.com/shop/cart/ticket_purchase.cfm?eventID=4660&CFID=20867210&CFTOKEN=44103312
Monday, June 9, 2008
Qualities of an Excellent Manager
An excellent manager taps into talents and resources in order to support and bring out the best in others. An outstanding manager evokes possibility in others.
1. Creativity
Creativity is what separates competence from excellence. Creativity is the spark that propels projects forward and that captures peoples' attention. Creativity is the ingredient that pulls the different pieces together into a cohesive whole, adding zest and appeal in the process.
2. StructureThe context and structure we work within always have a set of parameters, limitations and guidelines. A stellar manager knows how to work within the structure and not let the structure impinge upon the process or the project. Know the structure intimately, so as to guide others to effectively work within the given parameters. Do this to expand beyond the boundaries.
3. Intuition
Intuition is the capacity of knowing without the use of rational processes; it's the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. People with keen insight are often able to sense what others are feeling and thinking; consequently, they're able to respond perfectly to another through their *deeper understanding. * The stronger one's intuition, the stronger manager one will be.
4. Knowledge
A thorough knowledge base is essential. The knowledge base must be so ingrained and integrated into their being that they become *transparent, * focusing on the employee and what s/he needs to learn, versus focusing on the knowledge base. The excellent manager lives from a knowledge base, without having to draw attention to it.
5. Commitment
A manager is committed to the success of the project and of all team members. S/he holds the vision for the collective team and moves the team closer to the end result. It's the manager's commitment that pulls the team forward during trying times.
6. Being Human
Employees value leaders who are human and who don't hide behind their authority. The best leaders are those who aren't afraid to be themselves. Managers who respect and connect with others on a human level inspire great loyalty.
7. Versatility
Flexibility and versatility are valuable qualities in a manager. Beneath the flexibility and versatility is an ability to be both non-reactive and not attached to how things have to be. Versatility implies an openness this openness allows the leader to quickly *change on a dime* when necessary. Flexibility and versatility are the pathways to speedy responsiveness.
8. Lightness
A stellar manager doesn't just produce outstanding results; s/he has fun in the process! Lightness doesn't impede results but rather, helps to move the team forward. Lightness complements the seriousness of the task at hand as well as the resolve of the team, therefore contributing to strong team results and retention.
9. Discipline/Focus
Discipline is the ability to choose and live from what one pays attention to. Discipline as self-mastery can be exhilarating! Role model the ability to live from your intention consistently and you'll role model an important leadership quality.
10. Big Picture, Small Actions
Excellent managers see the big picture concurrent with managing the details. Small actions lead to the big picture; the excellent manager is skillful at doing both: think big while also paying attention to the details.
