From time to time, readers and friends of this blog submit items for inclusion and I welcome them. If you have an item to contribute, please send it to info@secretan.com. This contribution comes from Shonnie Lavender, my friend and member of the Secretan Center Faculty. She has written this brilliant poem that illuminates the CASTLE® Principles, widely taught by the Secretan Center as part of our renowned Higher Ground Leadership® philosophy. Enjoy – thank you Shonnie.
A Leader’s Path
Courage isn’t truly about muscles and brawn, It’s about doing what’s right when you’re tempted to do wrong. Authenticity means showing up as who you really are, rather than hiding yourself from others or holding reality afar. Paying attention to others, their wants, their needs, their dreams, a leader knows that this is what Service actually means. Being Truthful in all you do, with everyone you meet, though challenging at times, it is the required feat. While Love may be a noun, it’s most powerfully a verb. It’s the way we connect with others, in thought, action, and word. When together we live these principles, and give them our very best. We create Effectiveness and need settle for no less. Six simple principles, we’ve known since we were born. Their practice is our pathway, living them can become the norm. When you set upon this journey, no matter where you think you’re bound, one day you’ll discover that you inhabit Higher Ground.
Thank you for offering my poem to your readers, Lance. I wrote it to help remind myself of what it truly means to live the CASTLE Principles. May it likewise be a gentle reminder for others who aspire to walk this path as well. Namaste.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem Shonnie, and thank you, Lance for posting this to your blog.
It does put the “CASTLE” principals into an easy to remember, and action impacting way.
May I be permitted to share this poem with my clients?
Namaste
What shawn has written has reallt rekindled my consciousness. She has decribed it in a way that makes it easier as a reminder. The more I leave these values, the more I attract a different kind of friendships. Thanks somuch
Wonderfull and provoking. I am the manager of a crisis care telephone counselling service operated by The Salvation Army in Brisbane, Australia. I am seeking approval to share this peom with my team of counsellors.
I know that Shonnie lavender will be honored if you share her poem with others. Knowing her generous spirit as I do, she will want her thoughts to be shared in the service that we all share – to make the world a better place. Please use this poem freely, with attribution to the author. Namaste.
Lance,
Just read your blog with the Leadership Address at the graduation ceremony. Someone once told me that our words are a very sacred thing – a gift to the world (or not!) and that once we speak them out loud, they are forever sent out into the Universe to do good or evil. I really work on being intentional with my spoken and written words. I have a new sense of reverence for what I say, and how I say it – as you mentioned in your excerpt – are they spoken from the heart, with love, grace and honesty? Imagine what this world would be if we all considered this prior to letting go of any words!
You, my friend, are a wonderful example of leadership, humanity and love. It was a privilege to meet you in Chicago at the Herman Miller showroom (I am from Minneapolis) and to participate in that awesome experience. I am reading your book “One” along with “Eat, Love, Pray”, and others. You continue to inspire me 1,000’s of miles away.
I am grateful for our connection. Your energy and light shines through your blogs, web-site, books and other word formats that stream across this oh-so-small universe!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Robin
Robin Mooney
A + D Manager, IIDA
Herman Miller Minneapolis
845 Berkshire Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441
Tel: 763/417-3304
Cell: 612/859-4839
Shonnie, thank you for sharing these beautiful words of encouragement. I’m excited about all the possibilities that will come from the castle principles by today’s leaders. Lance, thank you…..I’ve been inspired to begin my new year and the years to come with the castle principle.
Happy Holidays
Just like to add / share this acrostic that can be sung to the tune of “You Raise Me Up” (by Josh Groban =
LANCE SECRETAN
L et’s practise conscious,
A uthentic leadership
N ow CASTLE principles daily apply:
C OURAGE, AUTHENTICITY, SERVICE
E mpower!
S eek TRUTHFULNESS, LOVE & EFFECTIVENESS!
*E xplore, know your DESTINY,
C AUSE & CALLING!
R eally inspire,
E nable WHY-BE-DO!
T ruly learn, empathize
A nd do listen –
N ew Mastery, Chemistry Deliver!
Hope this catches the essence of Lance Secretan