I’ve moved house!

Let Hope Rise has a new look and a new home thanks to securing its own domain! It’s super easy to find, no Sat Nav required – in fact, you’re probably already there. My original wordpress.com site redirects all traffic to my self-hosted site.

The simplest way to ensure you do not miss new posts is to subscribe via email at the top right of this page. You can also sign up for the RSS feed via the link in the header.

Those who previously subscribed via email to LetHopeRise.wordpress.com have been successfully transferred to this new site so things should remain pretty much to which you’re accustomed. If, however, you were a fellow wordpress.com user who followed Let Hope Rise so that new posts appeared in your wordpress reader, you’ll need to subscribe again (this time via email).

I’m looking forward to the greater flexibility and customisation this new site will provide which will hopefully enhance your reading experience. One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is my enthusiasm for your thoughts and opinions so please continue to comment on posts! You’ll also notice it’s a tad easier to share posts via whatever social media tickles your fancy…

Check it out here: Let Hope Rise

LET HOPE RISE

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Father of the year

This Sunday is Fathers Day here in Oz and SU Queensland has recently announced its 2012 Father of the Year, the recipient being Mark Cummins. On a radio interview Mark was asked what it meant to be a man in today’s society; acknowledging that his response would have been different 20 years ago, Mark answered that it is simply doing whatever is before him.

And before him, Mark has many things! Father to 8 children, 2 of which have cystic fibrosis, single dad for the past 5 years, self-employed business-owner, fund-raiser and actively involved in his children’s lives. Read and hear Mark’s story here: http://qldfatheroftheyear.org.au/2012-winners/

Be encouraged and inspired!! Happy dad’s day wherever you are!

LET HOPE RISE

Take a different route!

Major roadworks have recently commenced on our usual school-run route. This in itself would not necessarily create too much drama in my world as there has always been a very handy alternative. However, the powers-that-be have decided that this road too needs to be temporarily closed! This means I have had to find and travel a different route.

This different route is one that has been known to me for sometime and one that I have actually taken occasionally. For whatever reason though it has not been one that I regularly travel, until now. Out of necessity this route has now become the mainstay of the school-run each morning and afternoon and it’s amazing how more efficient and less stressful it is.

Avoiding built-up areas, this different route is mostly semi-rural leading to a feeling of a drive through the country. We pass by hobby farms and small properties with horses and cattle. My younger boys now scan for activity at the farms. Are the huge sprinklers on? How may people are picking the vegetables? Where are the trucks ready to be loaded?

In being “forced” to take a different route we have all enjoyed a new experience with fresh perspective. Even when the usual route reopens, I reckon this little slice of rural peace will remain part of our day!

Sometimes we may need to take a different route simply to escape from the mundane, to sharpen our focus, to find something new. Let’s not wait until we’re forced to find an alternative, start looking around today!

LET HOPE RISE

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Frustrated? Are you expecting the unexpectable??

As we step into the rain, we expect to get wet. As we head out onto the freeway, we expect traffic. When I took an opportunity for leave from my “job” I expected to write my book.

Two of the above examples are reasonable. The other is not. The other is a case of expecting the unexpectable!

Intentions and hopes usually do not equate to desired outcomes. We can often be so excited by an opportunity for something different, something away from the mundane, that we expect what really can’t be delivered. At least not in the present environment. Now I’m not saying my book or any other dreams I hold will not come to pass, however I have realised that given my current knowledge and other resources, to expect them now is to expect the unexpectable.

Don’t get wrong – I am a HUGE fan of dreaming! I see myself enjoying a lifestyle of a writer, even indulging in a long-held dream of living in New York, but to make this a reality I need to acquire more skills, I need to more effectively plan, I need to prioritize, I need to MOVE!

What in your world do you presently classify as a disappointment? What is currently a cause of frustration? A lost opportunity, perhaps? Could it be you may need to enhance your skills, become better connected, develop the plan or even lessen the pressure a little on yourself?

The opportunity may not be lost, it may simply be parked awaiting a more appropriate framework or season.

LET HOPE RISE.

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Pictures of a leader #3

Continuing this series, another apt picture of a leader offered by John Maxwell is the vine and the branches. As all backyard gardeners can attest, a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine. So if a team is disconnected from its leader, its productivity will be lost.

This relationship indicates the nourishment role of a leader. The leader is the one who provides, the one who nurtures. This provision can and most likely will take many forms – instilling purpose, offering encouragement, delivering resource. Through this provision, team members (including our families) can be nurtured towards both team and personal development.

Ensuring connectivity, whilst it should be the domain of both leader and team member, is ultimately the responsibility of the leader. Because whilst the branch needs to be connected to flourish, this connection can also enable disease to spread. The leader then is responsible for removing the branch to protect the rest of vine.

If our team is not flourishing, we may want to check both the health of the branch and its connection to the vine.

LET HOPE RISE

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More stories from the front office…

Blogging, or writing in general, is an interesting beast. I aim to be “productive”, to regularly produce pieces that stimulate discussion, that inspire, that challenge – both the reader and myself!

The idea of productivity is a curious one. To some, it means having the suitable environment where the work can be done. For others, it may stem from systems and processes. Still, for others, it’s the routine or habit around the work. I think all of these are true. Productivity is focused on the outcomes, the fruit, and there is no one fruitfulness formula that works for us all. For me, though, being productive in any area of my world starts with a decision: I must decide to be productive.

I can have the most efficient systems and the most conducive environment but if I do not DECIDE to write, then nothing will be written. The most productive time for me as a writer is when I make the decision “today, I will write”. This starting points enables my environment and my processes to kick-in to further stimulate activity.

Many of us can be waiting for the ideal time to do something special. The ideal time probably starts when we decide it’s time.

LET HOPE RISE

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Is that true, mum?

One of the joys, perks if you will, of fatherhood is being the purveyor of tall tales. Of course, this is purely focused on developing my children’s imaginations and definitely not associated with any perverse satisfaction one could gain from creating confusion…

My five-year old is curious. He wants to assert his newfound knowledge of the world around him and equally desires to discover more. He also thoroughly enjoys pickled onions! Of course, as we all know, a pickled onion is, in fact, the boiled eye of a camel. Whereas once this would be received as a gospel truth, my five-year old has wisely become very diligent in checking facts with the simple phrase “Is that true, mum?”!

Mum has become his sounding board, his reality-check. Wouldn’t it be great if, as adults, we could turn to mum and ask “is that true?” before we forge ahead using the “facts” we have discovered. If my five-year old seeks counsel, then maybe we should also be a little more discerning about the information coming into our world?

My five-year old is confident in much of his knowledge, but when in doubt, he asks. Let’s not be afraid to ask.

LET HOPE RISE

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Pictures of a leader #2

An earlier post referred to the metaphor of a Captain and Army as one picture of leadership as presented by John Maxwell. Husband and wife is yet another…

This picture of leadership is again unique, identifying that leadership is multifaceted and multilayered. The husband and wife relationship is one of support where love and commitment are evident. As leaders (that is, people of influence) love and commitment to our people – be they our specific team or those around us – must be a characteristic of the relationship.

People need to know we care, before they will. If we genuinely love people we will desire the best for them. We will look to create opportunities where they can develop, where they can win. Being committed to people means we are a constant, we are there throughout all seasons. We are unwavering in our support whilst at the same time we are modelling the standard and positively challenging.

Are we genuinely committed to our people? Do our actions and attitudes reflect love? Are we leaders for all seasons?

LET HOPE RISE

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Common ground

One of the obstacles to forming new relationships is finding those things you have in common; those points of interest that resonate with both people from which further commonalities, or indeed differences, can be established. The same applies to families.

I know my 12-year-old son and he knows me. However, as he develops into his own person the importance of common ground continues to grow. My wife picked up on this point much earlier than me and has been sharing experiences through one particular iPhone game. This has allowed a bridge to be built between mum and son that extends beyond the game.

Similarly, I now have a shared game experience with my eldest boy and this too has enabled me to have a greater awareness of his world. Don’t tell my son but I actually really enjoy the game too!!

Leading full lives demands that we move finding common ground from an idea to a strategy. If we are committed to empowering and equipping our kids then we must be communicating and effective communication can only stem from common ground, it should not be assumed because of the familial relationship.

Take the initiative, create some common ground today!

LET HOPE RISE

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The whole truth and nothing but…

Apart from being a stock-standard Michael Douglas film from 1994, disclosure also refers to the act of making new or secret information known. All of us have information which we deliberately or subconsciously do not disclose. I don’t think it’s necessarily because we do not have people with whom we could safely share, I suspect it’s because we ourselves have not processed or dealt with some of the events giving rise to this information.

This idea stems from a mental health research project in which I am currently participating. Core to this was a substantial questionnaire covering many aspects of my life: my upbringing, my relationships, my attitudes, my beliefs, my behaviours. What I found comfortably strange was that I willingly shared details of past experiences that I have not otherwise shared. Details around events that I had conveniently shelved for decades.

Upon completion of the questionnaire I found myself not reliving the past events, but rather realising how those experiences have shaped me, for better or for worse. The next logical step is acknowledging that my experiences today will shape my world tomorrow. In addition to the community benefit this research project seeks to deliver, it has been a personal practical demonstration that I need to be more deliberate, strategic, in creating my future through how I spend my today.

My challenge to each of us is simple: how will what we are doing today shape our tomorrow?

LET HOPE RISE

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