What's Behind the Label

What’s Behind the Label

We often see the label and stop.  We love labels.  And we love to slap labels on things and people.

Especially people.

And that is tragic.

There is always a person behind the label.  A person who has hopes and dreams, desires, and a measure of talent. 

You’ve brought that individual into your organization, and now what?  Somebody gets a ‘feeling’ about them and attempts to short-circuit their career.  Maybe shelve them before their ripening time has come.

All because of a label.  One thing I know – in this disposable society in which we live, we cannot treat men and women as disposable.  We need individuals who have a knack for drawing a person out, for finding the fire within and helping those individuals we once labeled as ‘optional’.

There is always a person behind any label.  What are we going to do about that?

This is what is on my mind today.

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People Blog Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement

Inspiration

When a Legend Is No More

When a Legend Is No More

I bear the marks, the impressions of a man who was a major influence in my life for nearly fifty years.  His name was Ronn Huff. 

He was a giant in the music world.  His choral pieces were exquisite and his orchestrations were fresh and educational and inspiring and … the best of the best.

He died two days ago, yet his influence still lives.  He impacted me.  His music impacted me.  Any time I heard of a new release from Ronn Huff, I immediately bought it, and savored it, listened with open ears and mind, and devoured his unique creativity.

Now, many of you have no idea who Ronn was, so I’ll stop eulogizing him and focus on my main point.

Legends are made one step at a time, one brick at a time, one accomplishment, one relational interaction at a time.  Not only was Ronn masterful as a musician, he was an expert in human relationships.  I had occasion to call him a few times just to say ‘hi’ and check in.  Every time, Ronn took the time to chat, casually, and asked how I was and what I was up to.

I remember getting a note back from him once.  I had launched a web site that I no longer maintain called N-Courage.  I created a letterhead on computer and sent him a small note of appreciation and thanks for his impact on my life.  He wrote back, said some nice things and then ended with, “by the way, N-Courage works.”

I’ve never forgotten that.  He was a giant as a musician, and he had time for the personal touch as well.

What a legend to leave behind. 

Makes me think about my legend.  What am I leaving as I pass through this time and space?  What essence will you remember about me? 

I received a sweet Instagram Message this morning.  Linda and her family were great friends back when I lived in Albuquerque.

Here’s what she wrote.

“You kept me sane and made me feel like I was actually worth something.  You didn’t even know you were holding my head above water then and I will love you forever because of it.” 

I share that, not to gloat, but to honestly say, I had no idea I was having that impact.  I thought we were just good friends and she sang solos and was in my choir, and we had lots of meals together as couples go.”

See how this legacy thing works?  We’re making an impact even when we don’t  know we’re making an impact.  I think that is the best way to leave a legacy.

Honestly, if I could write my own legacy, it would go something like this:

“He gave me hope, encouragement

and inspiration when I

needed it the most.”

I wish you success as you build and write your legacy!

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People Blog Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement

Inspiration

What If You Can?

What If You Can?

On any given day, in any town, village or hamlet in the world, there will always be someone willing to come alongside you and say …

“You can’t do that.  You shouldn’t do it that

way.”

And hopefully, someone like me will come along soon after and say, “I heard what he/she said, but you know what?  I know you can.  What do you say?”

There is an abundance of talent inside you.  And I do subscribe to the idea that you can do more than you think you can do.  I know because this is happening to me.  I’ve had eight or nine different careers already in my lifetime.  And each career has required a different skill set, a different knowledge set.  And I have managed to survive in each of them. 

Let me be quick to point out that I did not pursue foolish, out-of-my-wheelhouse ideas like mathematics, belly dancing, tight rope walking, or other less desirable skills and careers. 

I choose jobs that closely matched where my heart and desires lay, and with careers that matched my own inner core of strengths and desires. 

The one skill you do need, however, is this … a strong belief in YOU as you pursue whatever it is you choose to pursue.

There are those two words again … choose and believe!  “I’ve written on both words a dozen times, and they are still critical factors. 

We have the power.  What are we going to do about it?

This is what is on my mind today.

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People Blog Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement

Inspiration