laws of leadership...

I'm reading the 21 Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. I have read it once before, when i was in college and trying to be a better captain, but different things mean different things at different points in your life. So, I am sure i got something out of it then, but I think i am getting much more out of it now!! I have always been incredibly intrigued with the subject of leadership, and could never get tired of talking, reading or learning about it. I think true, good leaders are few and far between, though many people mistakenly THINK that they are leaders. I believe all people fall in one of two categories-you're either a leader or a follower. Because there are far less leaders than followers in this world, that rare breed of person and how and why they are they way they are intrigues me. Anyway, I have just read a few chapters, but here are some of my favorite quotes so far....

• Champions don't become champions in the ring-they are merely recognized there.

• He who thinks he leads but has no followers, is only taking a walk.

• Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.

• You cant get too much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.

• The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man. This is true. What a man is survives him. It can never be buried.

• To be conscious that you are ignorant of the facts is a great step to knowledge.

• You have achieved excellence as a leader when people will follow you everywhere if only out of curiousity.

• Titles dont have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that can't be mandated. It must be earned.

• Its not the position that makes the leader; its the leader that makes the position.

As I read more, I'll randomly put up more quotes that i get from it. It is an awesome book!! I highly recommend!!

ear infection...

Riley got sick this weekend. It started with a bad day on Friday, the worst and longest night EVER Friday night, then trip to the dr first thing saturday morning, where we found out she had an ear infection. She got meds, and is great now, but we had a rough and exhausting couple days. She has never been sick like this. She got RSV at about 8 wks, but other than runny noses, she has never been sick since she's been 'BIG'. I know shes not really big, but she's older and aware of things, and not a little infant anymore. It was so hard watching her feel so bad. She was burning hot, couldnt get comfortable, didnt want to eat or drink, wanted to be held but didnt want to be touched kind of thing. Nothing satisfied her.

But, it did provide me with a 'mom moment'. Most of the time I dont really feel like a mom. Not really sure what its supposed to feel like, but i just dont feel like one most days. Normally, it just seems like i'm living life with this really cool little mini-me that wants to tag along for the ride and constantly help me work on my patience and selflessness :) But there are a rare few times, when something happens, and i feel like a mom.

My 'mom moment' came Friday night as I was laying on the floor in Riley's room. I stayed in there during the night, because it was useless trying to be in my bed knowing that i would be up every 5 mins. Riley was feeling so bad and was having chills and tossing and turning etc etc. So, at one point, probably around 2 am, I stood up to just rub her back to try to comfort her. She didnt want to be touched...but, she didnt want me to leave either. I was freezing cold, absolutely exhausted, standing at her crib watching her, and if i moved an inch away from her crib, she would start screaming for me. So as i was standing, i stated wondering why if she doesnt want me to touch her, why does she insist that i just stand here and watch her fall asleep??

And then a memory came to me of being young and being sick, and wanting my mom to sit on my bed until i fell asleep. I remember just being comforted knowing she was there...i didnt want her to touch me or talk to me, i just wanted to know she was there. And thats all Riley wanted...she just wanted to know that I was there...that HER MOM was there for her :) Just knowing i was there made her feel better in some small way. It made me feel like a real mom. And i didnt care if i had to stand there the rest of the night for her, i was going to do it, because thats what my mom would do for me.

So, it was a long weekend, but I think Jer and I both loved the feeling of being able to comfort our baby girl when she wasnt feeling well. Shes back in action now...loud as ever :) i love it...i love having my little mini-me feeling better and following me all around again :)