When someone like this dies I tend to spend a certain amount of time thinking about the impact that they may have had on others. In the case of Maya Angelou I can't think of someone who has had more impact on more people over a longer time. If you haven't had a chance to read her work or experience what she gave to all of us I urge you to do so. As I embark on this new chapter in my life I often think of the things that she had to endure and overcome and it gives me strength that I can do as she did and rise above and succeed not despite of my experiences but because of them. If you have time I hope you will listen to the interview linked below (you may need to copy and paste it) and then go out into the world letting your caged bird sing.


http://www.npr.org/2014/05/28/316707321/fresh-air-remembers-poet-and-memoirist-maya-angelou

While we are thinking about how we should treat the people that we work with it would be great if we could also spend some time thinking on how we can improve the lives of other creatures. All animals should have a taste of freedom. In the video below 9 beagles who were rescued from a lab that tests on animals get their first chance to run and play outside of the crates that they spent their entire lives in. Please let your elected representatives know that you find this practice unacceptable and research the products that you buy to make sure that you aren't inadvertently contributing to the continuation of this terrible practice.

A good resource to see if what you are buying is cruelty-free is http://www.leapingbunny.org/shopping.php


I urge you to explore the information that they offer so you can make better decisions regarding what you buy and whether it comes at an unacceptable cost to animals.

 Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller is someone we should all listen to as he has revolutionized his company through truly valuing the people who work there. In this short talk he describes the reason that we all have a stake in making sure that our fellow men and women come to work each day happy to be there, feeling appreciated for what they do, and that they matter as human beings. If you are able to heed these lessons it will help transform your work environment into one where everyone feels they are important.

Profile in INC magazine

http://www.inc.com/audacious-companies/scott-leibs/barry-wehmiller.html

http://www1.barry-wehmiller.com/home

I have loved Hawaiian music since I was a little kid growing up on Oahu. When I was a kid there was really only AM radio where I lived so I ended up listening to Hawaiian music almost every day and out of all the types that I learned about my favorite was Slack key or Ki ho alu. I have been listening to this type of music for almost 40 years now and although I haven't learned to play it it has always spoken to me. One day a few years ago, I had a question about a particular music style/guitar type and I thought that I would just go straight to the source and e-mail Jeff, who had become one of my favorite artists of this type of music. I never thought that I would hear back from someone like him, someone who was obviously busy and in demand from people all the time. Surprisingly, maybe a day later I get a personal response back from Jeff himself answering my question and elaborating on other points regarding what I was interested in. I was obviously very impressed and have often thought about it when thinking about how a person, a business, or an organization can make such a difference to one person simply by being there and taking the time to follow up on people's questions, concerns, and their interest in whatever they might be providing. It takes time and a special commitment from people but it really matters. I urge you to be like Jeff and reach out to those who reach out to you. It will make a difference. Not just in your business but more importantly, in life.

I'm not so sure I am that good at the tangled Christmas tree lights. I obviously have some work to do. But so do most of us.