Demetrius S. Carolina - New York Community Advocator, Educator and Spiritual Leader

Our Goals and Dreams are Realities Waiting to Occur!

A dream is the potential of a promise that can become reality, given the right mixture of energy, attention and support. The littlest can become much if provided with the correct amount of social, economic and political support. The smallest seeds can produce the largest flowers, so it’s not the size at the beginning that matters most. It’s all that comes afterwards that is critical.

Dreams can lead to ideas and ideas are small seeds of faith that, if nurtured and cared for, can develop into life-changing success. Many successful people did not start out thinking, “I’m going to be great.” Their greatness grew from a belief formed during the tending of their ideas, helping them even in small incremental ways to become more concrete, More certain and more definite. Doing that requires a consistent belief in something that drives them on through good times and bad, through dry spells and hardship. The important thing about those events is what you choose to either “do” or “not do” in response. That decision is what makes us unique. A wilting plant can’t go to the water — the water must be brought to it. On the other hand, we have the ability to seek what we need and, in many cases, to get what we need through our own efforts and decisions.

We all have choices to make. Make those choices based on the strength of your dreams with a definite sense of purpose to lead you to reach your goals. Dreams are realities waiting to occur for those who pursue and work towards realizing them. Choose to move closer to your dream becoming reality.

Which of yours waits?

The Art of Compromise

It has been said that the key to a good marriage, partnership and friendship is the ability for one to compromise. We teach children early in life that they can not always have everything they want nor can they have it the way and often in the time frame in which they desire. In the real world there are constraints to “having it your way” in most cases. However in real years The word “compromise” has gotten an extremely negative connotation. Look at the recent political partisanship that lead to two possible government shut downs and the recent “all or nothing” posture of the economic elite as markets are confined and controlled by those that are not content with much in search of more. In many ways that thought of compromise has been merged it with the notion of “capitulation”. The western John Wayne over masculine image of taking no prisoners has permeated the inter workings of many decision making institutions such as big business with it’s corporate take overs and profit only driven decision making. This all or nothing approach is evident with congress which historically has made our nation great based on the fine art of compromise and negotiation. An skillful art that is sorely lacking within national leadership today. It is difficult to follow leadership that suggest it is never wrong or has no tolerance for change, differences or compromise. The youngest child in the room tend to know that he or she can’t always have it his or her way all the time.

The question that comes to mind is do our leaders stand on principle or are they standing on political expedience? If the goal is to do what is best for the nation then history suggest a balanced approach towards meaningful progress equals the deletion of personal or individual success for national growth. In short patriotism. Doing what is best for the nation not the individual. Edward R. Murrow suggested that one should never insist upon agreement with his political principles as a precondition for conversation or friendship. At the end of the day we are all Americans and it is still true that if we are all in a burning boat it doesn’t matter where the fire starts if it continued everyone on board will parish. It is in everyone’s best interest to stop the fire and save the boat. Matter’s not your political proclivities if the nation is in grave distress we all suffer. Comprise is vital for its survival and long term stability. The only way for an enemy to invade is for a nation to become week from the inside out. If we are fighting ourselves it become much easier for other to beat us in test scores, with various technologies, in the market place, and with the future. Where there is no compromise there is no progress. I’m not suggesting we give away the farm for a few cows but what I am saying is if we don’t work wiser within our own boarders and with each others we will find ourselves in a compromising position as a nation. There are times when you simply have to give a little in order to get. This simply yet prolific act is what separates authentic leaders from pretenders.

A Passport to a Better Tomorrow

It has been said “Optimism is man’s passport to a better tomorrow.”

And I agree with that.

If provided with the appropriate mindset, tools, strategies, networks, and support for success, human beings have the right to be (and hopefully are) optimistic. These realties do not only improve opportunities for the individual but if practiced consistently and expertly can improve, restore and revitalize not only the individual but also communities. I believe if you improve the person-you improve what surrounds them through their empowerment and belief in the ability to manifest positive change.

Humans are creature of habit; we are most comfortable with what we are most familiar. When we are exposed to success regularly we begin to practice success. Even those who become exposed to positive experiences later in their young adult lives have a better chance at success.

Success breeds success.

Mentoring, mimicking, and practicing tenets that create opportunities for success requires exposure to successful individuals. Often that doesn’t happen and there are circles of opportunity for which few are afforded entry.

Many disadvantaged groups suffer not because they are inherently predisposed to socioeconomic failure but because they are disconnected or disassociated from the well-organized practices of successful tight-knit groups and individuals. Breaking into positive networks, closed-door meetings, “invitation-only” social events and deciphering the code language of the successful is no small task especially when the interaction is limited or even worse not attempted because of a lack of faith that things can change for the better. They can.

Revitalizing a community requires buy-in, outside support and a realistic set of goals in proportion with existing resources-every community has them no matter how spare they may seem. And there are untapped resources as well. To find and effectively tie together these resources a sense of “team” leadership is required. Making an appropriate assessment of the community stake holders and strategies for valuing diversity in leadership, gaining an appreciation for historic leadership and understanding emerging leaders, are all vital steps towards reconciling tapped and untapped resources-and their effective use.

Many prosperous communities understand well the reality: When you “come up” you pull others up around you. That’s the conversation we need to have so that very act can take place. To show how each of us as individuals have within the seeds of positive change to help our communities blossom and become that fertile ground to both live, raise children and thrive.

Changing Your Mental Zip Code

Elevating a person or community’s consciousness requires a mental zip code change.

People can only do what they know.

Leaders can only expect from those they lead the skill they have been given, taught or exposed to.

In the U. S. depending on your zip code you may be exposed to a more expansive, in-depth and better-tailored learning environment. Because everyone may not be able to afford to live in such a zip code you have to come up with realistic and meaningful strategies that speak to the equitable standardization of quality learning. That sets the foundation for an emotional, educational and ultimately economic zip code change without having to make a physical move now.

The notion of voice (your voice) comes from an internal sense of self-worth. And it is this “voice” that establishes that mental shift to take you to the “good” zip code.

To speak and contribute your thoughts requires one to first believe he or she has something worth sharing and it will be heard in an environment of respect and receptivity. And perhaps most importantly… a level of reciprocity will occur and equally important is sustained.

To help those around us to find their “voice” requires leadership. And the most effective leadership is perpetual. It’s consistent and congruent. Effective leaders build leadership in others. From a community standpoint this is integral to help people discover that voice needed to bring about positive change to their life. This is especially true if the mission, vision and philosophy is to live beyond the leader’s own existence.

The difference between being rich and being wealthy is wealth is self-perpetuating-being rich is not. Wealth continues to grow beyond the initial investment and as the investment grows those connected to the investment also grows. A rich person who does not understand this concept will soon find they are no longer rich. And so it goes with leadership.

An effective leader grows those tied to and invested in them and will benefit from the reputation, connections, associations, and mission generated and maintained by the interactions and adherence to a common purpose. As long as there is a connection to the mission of the leader the leader and the mission lives. If there is not-then the leader will soon find there is no one left to lead.

One of the greatest failings of any endeavor is the lack of support. Good leadership becomes great leadership when meaningful strategies to mentor, develop, and perpetuate the mission and vision in others presents all involved the potential for greatness that is then realized. It has been said no man is an island unto himself. Without support and a mindset that allows for an investment in others as well as a willingness to develop and trust others to lead, the vision dies and the leader is nullified. And so the opportunities for new voices to develop are quenched.

There needs to be a conscious effort in every community to build an environment that invites support for the leader. That engenders support for the vision and ultimately the leadership mission. Solidarity and strength of purpose in this gives confidence in what you are doing and this in turn trips a switch in your thinking-that all things are possible for you… and for your community.

Fragmented communities or those that possess the potential for effective leadership but have been denied the opportunity due to existing social-economic factors have to decide they need leadership-and failure is not an option. They must focus on specific areas that both invite diverse perspectives yet allows for consensus building. That is necessary to build an environment that meshes diverting interest and promotes collaboration. Bringing people together is in many ways is an art; it takes great patience and practice. It is important to establish operating ground rules at the start of any cooperative leadership initiative. Several key practices, proceedings and areas of focus in which all participants must agree to adhere to are essential for forward movement and to avoid contention during
critical moments down the road.

Our Goals and Dreams are Realities Waiting to Occur!

The Art of Compromise

A Passport to a Better Tomorrow

Changing Your Mental Zip Code

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