As we get in to the third and fourth quarters of our lives we are like bank accounts. We are filled with deposits from others through the years. While many of us look at, or are marked by, the withdrawals that have drained us, we are actually filled. The counsel, the wisdom, the beauty, the support, the smiles, the hope, the ideas, the news, the perspectives, the approaches, the protection, and so much more that has been deposited knowingly or even unwittingly in to us through the years have helped form us and save us. As we sort through the riches, we need not balance the account with the withdrawals. They are not what was meant to remain.
As we enter into the "golden years" let's remember we have gold. Now we can spend it on those still in the red.

The scene, white washed by the morning sun, appears bland, indistinguishable, while the bulb's light facing me grows gradually more brilliant upon my face, making me, the observer, the subject of the the scene. With warmed features, eyes close to feel the morning--more than spy it. I become more aware of how my inner state defines the view.  The sounds of birds calling one another on, bring me into their experience. I see peace, and calmness soothes.  Reciprocity--The life before me and my own within.  This is how we move through all our days, interacting, feeling, knowing, and sharing, unbeknownst to most as we seek to simply be on our way. We define the scene as much as enter in to it. And how we see, defines us.

The Context of Principles
We read about the seemingly simple strategy to "cross sell" and the expensive fallout that followed.  Good ideas, creative strategies, gone bad seems to permeate the world of leaders. In a rush to stay innovative, grow, meet regulatory demands, and stay profitable, leaders are throwing some things out of the way that are actually foundational, such as explicit principles.

Having facilitated many a vision process with leaders and groups, I always build in the dialogue and clear definitions of "principles". Some may view this as an exercise. But this is your saving grace to avoid strategy A from becoming next months headline.

As a leader your messages will be amplified in the minds of your teams. It's the nature of authority. They might even be pulled out of proportion unless they are positioned squarely in the center of  clear principles. Principles become tacit in the organizational culture. If not clearly committed to, stated, and used as a backdrop for your change initiatives, what employees "think" are principles from profit making strategies, or leader behavior will rule.  Keeping the context of guiding principles in the forefront is a priority and challenge leaders cannot afford to eschew.

"Anxious"people get a bad rap. But they are overdue for some real kudos. An "anxious" person is often a sensitive person. He or she can feel and sense things far before others. This can offer families and communities earlier opportunities at problem solving or addressing issues. Anxious people also perceive dangers around them. While they may step over the line with this, they also can warn others of real dangers they have fallen immune to, or move in to protect others before many see the dangers. In order to live in this world we need to lean on denial to keep going. If we acknowledge the risks around us all the time we will be immobilized. Similarly that denial helps us cope and ignore the distasteful, concerning, or even sometimes downright wrong we see or do. "Anxious" people often live peeking under that denial and are affected, even, disgusted with what they refuse to deny. Additionally, I know many people who will not watch the news. While others find it responsible to stay attuned to the world through the news, those skipping it are not desensitizing as quickly to things like violence and tragedy, and can often see reality with a clearer lens.
An anxious type with heightened sensitivity has no dulled senses, so the need to get the adreline running through a thrilling colossal ride or jumping from an airplane is not necessary. They can get that same jolt in daily life, from perceiving nature or an interaction with others.

So in our culture that prides itself in toughness and that can, at times,mock the sensitive, remember that it's these types of friends who may just be seeing a slice of life you are missing--or even better may just help you before you know you need it.