An Anniversary

It's official--exactly one year ago tonight, I began this blog. I promised you then that I would communicate with you frankly and faithfully.

My simple hope was to keep you informed about TLA's work and the thoughts of its executive director. As former New York mayor, Ed Koch, used to ask, "How 'm I doing?"

Do you remember the title of that first blog? I called it, "Dare to Diffuse." I had wanted to hear more from you, and on my personal email account, I did. Thank you. 

I did a little inventory taking earlier today. Except for one Friday in July and another in December, I had something to report every week. Sometimes my topic was an event that happened that very day, and often that week. Most of them contained a leadership lesson. On other occasions, I reviewed a book or two that had captured my imagination and seemed to have relevance for both business and education.

Interestingly, however, I got the most feedback from you on my family issues--my Mom's love for my children, my daughter's birthday party, my brother's grave illness and extraordinary recovery. There was one notable exception. Folk from across the United States weighed in on "Our Friend, Howard" as it turned out, The Learning Consortium co-founder, Howard Schultz, is their friend, too.

Sometimes you saw humor, sometimes you saw my frustration, and at other times, something I said seemed to inspire you. I learned that if you don't want to be called names, don't start a blog. On the heels of one entry, a fellow said I was a "mensch." Another person started calling me "Admiral Stockdale" after my reminding you of the need both to confront brutal facts even as one envisions one's liberation and a better future.

One of you didn't appreciate my bemoaning the possible demise of TLA amid the budget meltdown. Thank you. It was whining and unworthy of a leader, Through your honest feedback, I was convicted of its vanity and stopped. There are many other things we would all be much sorrier to lose.

So here is where how I am marking our anniversary. Do you remember when I thought my only brother, John, was going to die? The message I shared with you then was as necessary for me to write as it was heart-rending. Your outpouring of support was a comfort. I didn't know it then, but I learned the Lord had work left for my brother to do.

Even before John recovered, I found peace. With as much love as I can send you now, wherever the road leads us, may we find peace. Who knows, maybe a higher power has more work for us, too.