Salvation Army

Ok, so I have gone through all of my wardrobe in order to streamline and cut down on laundry. It not only saves water, it saves me lots of work (I am a hardcore procrastinator). I then washed and bagged all of the clothes that I planned on never wearing again. I proceeded to take the bags down to the local Salvation Army, rather than pick out the nicest stuff and sell it to the consignment store like I used to. I felt guilty for selling what someone needs right now to stay warm. Somebody is going to be walking around Lexington looking mighty dapper, if I must say so myself!
As I walked into the Salvation Army, the lady at the counter directs me where to place the bags. After doing so, she offers me a form in which I could apply for a tax return (or something like that) for bringing in the clothes and shoes. I was confused: not that I am this patron saint or anything, but why the bleep would I want money (or even credit for that matter) back for donating things I didn't wear, and in return giving someone much needed cover?
She gave me an even more confused look when I said, "No thanks, I don't need to write off providing clothing to the needy on my taxes." I was not trying to be a overly-righteous arrogant jerk, but I was kind of offended that people would ask the government for money, or lowered taxes, for helping the homeless and needy.
Maybe it does make sense, but not to me. I am working on being a servant-leader, and I felt that asking for the tax form would be nullifying the deed I had just performed. Again, I merely saw it as sharing something I no longer needed or wanted. I do not want to sound "high and mighty."
I was brought up learning that to much is given, much is expected. I have been more than lucky, and have (had) enough clothing for three guys, let alone someone who loves to re-wear jeans and t-shirts without washing them until they are unbearable!
I know I already posted for this week, but I needed to share what I thought was indicative of a culture that doesn't like doing things without something in return...
I also felt guilty because this wardrobe streamlining project was supposed to be a pre-Christmas/cold weather activity so that the people who needed the clothes could go into the season prepared. I guess it is better late than never...

The Spirit and Soul of Work

I couldn't help but think about what Brynn wrote in her servant-leadership essay. She talked about the spirit and soul of servant-leadership, the spirit being the lofty aspirations and ambitious plans we have for ourselves, and the soul being the little day-to-day things we do. For me the soul is finding not only purpose but joy in the seemingly mundane tasks on the farm. I have taken this weekend to think about my job as a grounds-keeper/farm-hand, and take pride in that work rather than drag my feet along simply doing things because I am paid to do it. Sure, making money is a good motivator for doing the work, but the real satisfaction is in doing the work well and having a good attitude about it.
This takes me back to last semester in the Environmental Justice course; we had an exercise where we discussed working, and how many people suffer from having careers that are not "big enough for their spirit." This is a profound issue. If people do not feel that Drum Major Instinct, i.e. feeling like their life has purpose, that they are making a difference, that they will be remembered for something, then what is the point of continuing down that dead-end road?
Already I can feel a difference in the "workplace aura." This is partly due to the fact that this weekend the Western Seat Equestrian Team took first place in their showing. But I would also like to think that I have come to work today with a much better attitude, and that has made things flow a little easier around the farm. I volunteered for things I normally make sure I am far away from when my boss is assigning duties, and I mucked (cleaned) horse stalls with a smile on my face. Which by the way, smells great first thing in the morning after the horses have been in all night! I moved through various tasks with purpose rather than with a turtle-pace. This is not to say I normally avoid work or intentionally move slow, but that I am attempting to look at things a little differently this week...To me that is the soul of servant-leadership.

While watching the Winter Olympics, I couldn't help but think about a part during the opening ceremonies; a representative of Canada read a mission statement about Canadian athletes being drug-free and contending in the Games simply for the love of sport. Almost every Olympic Games, it seems as if at least one athlete gets stripped of their medal/medals for doping. We shall see how the athletes hold up on this promise, but at least someone is attempting to take the lead on this issue....

More sports-themed servant-leadership examples...

This morning I was changing into my work clothes in the locker room on Midway College's campus (for the sake of this blog, I will explain: I work on the horse farm for the college's equestrian program...) and noticed a poster with the pledge for the National Association of Intercollegiate Atheletes, NAIA. This is what I read: "I pledge as a NAIA student athelete, to accept five core character values of the NAIA. I will do my best to represent the NAIA, my institution, my teammates, and myself by 1)respect, 2)responsibility, 3)integrity, 4)sportsmanship, and 5)servant-leadership!
I thought that was pretty cool...
I am not sure exactly how that plays out on the basketball court, but the fact that it is even terminology in the NAIA's handbook was interesting to me.

Drew Brees: Servant Leadership on and off the field

Hey All,

Following last night's Super Bowl, I couldn't help but think about servant leadership when the NFL pre-game coverage was a special on New Orleans Saints' quaterback Drew Brees and his wife. Brees signed on with the Saints around the time Hurricane Katrina rocked New Orleans. He and his wife have taken community-building very seriously, providing several million dollars to various groups around the Big Easy. He and his wife also dedicate a lot of their personal time to visit with children in the area, and have also funded a youth league football field as part of their monetary donations. If I heard correctly, he has also funded a high school football field as well...
I see too many athletes not giving back (I don't know this for a fact, but I am assuming not all NFL players are as philanthropic as Drew Brees) when they have plenty of money. To whom much is given, much is expected and Brees gets it! The city has taken to the Brees family as if they have always been in New Orleans, actually going so far as to say he is the heart and soul of New Orleans! I would say the Mardi Gras will last much longer this year as Drew and the Saints have added to the magic of this city by bringing home a Super Bowl victory. Brees also earned Most Valuable Player of the 44th Super Bowl.
Drew Brees is a classic example of a class act, and is most certaninly a servant leader in my eyes.
In a world where kids look up to professional atheletes, we need more class acts. A steroid-free, non-trouble-making family man who gives back should not be so rare, but it is unfortunately.
I am happy that I can infuse my obsession with professional sports into this blog, especially when talking about someone as role model-worthy as Brees....