AukWords September 2019
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
In the last issue of AukWords (August 2019), I noted on flow over drive and the notion that P.O.W.R. is the idea that preparation and opportunity wins results. I invite you to have a read and reflect. I am. That being said, over the last few weeks, we have posted on:
- L.O.V.E. and Honor
- L.O.V.E. and Purpose
- Getting Back at Things
- JAR'ing Your Success
- Vigilance, Zeal and More
- Devotion, Detachment and More
- and Delivering and Your Story
... and more. Jenny and I have run a series on self care and more. This is to say that our work going forward is ever more about character, love and leadership. And, all of that is to say that AukWords will be falling in line and alignment with that. You see, to date, and as previously noted... with AukWords, we have offered several characters:
- E'losh in June... PLUS 3 characters...
- Psy quietly appears on guidance and movement
- Psy reappears, with Benj... on living inside your skin
Then, from Bear, we got
I have been introducing some characters. And there are more to come. But today, I introduce you to a creation of mine from childhood.
Meet the T'ra'at
As a child, and with a vivid and robust imagination, I created an entire galaxy and even universe, predating the launch of Star Wars even, but probably partially inspired by the excitement I had for the then new Star Trek.
There is not time nor space here to fully delve into such a universe I created in that vivid imagination... but suffice it to say for now... I created this creature pictured above. It was Grade 4, and I was 10, in 1970.
The creature is a T'ra'at. Translated, a BEARfox... something akin to a 500 pound wolverine. In speaking with Grade 4 students last year, I shared with them that I imagined myself having two of them as a child, named Cochise and Cheyenne. I explained to them that T'ra'ats were and are, in my mind and heart, the most noble of creatures. They manifest so very many virtues.
They are kind and gentle and loving, yet strong, courageous and fierce when they need to be. I told the children that, for me as child, they provided me a source of comfort and confidence. Without even knowing of the language of virtues as I know of and work with it today, then I understood at an innate level, if you will. I shared with them how they provided same, and we spent time creating our own creatures of strength and comfort that day. It was remarkable; truly so.
The Gift of the T'ra'at
The spirit of these creatures... I have carried with me to this day. It has, part and parcel, been the source of my:
... the source of my strength,
Just this week, a friend, colleague and business associate reminded me of my inner strength. I credit my faith, those who have taught me well, and my T'ra'ats.
Why Do I Offer?
I offer this for two reasons. First, our heroes are a source of our strength. Our heroes, real or fictional, alive or passed... they can inspire us. That is their legacy if we but access it.
Secondly, I will be incorporating Cochise and Cheyenne into the AukWords universe going forward. Starting this Fall, I will be offering up a cartoon series called AukWords. It will be a cartoonumn, offering a smile and thought and a delve, if you will. Bear and Psy and Benj will be there... and more.
For now, consider your heroes. This day, I am considering some of mine. Our heroes say something about us. More importantly, they can serve to inspire us. They can be ourselves or others. I can and might even should be both. Heroes are not to be worshipped, but admired. They are to serve as examples for which we can and must strive. That is the best role of heroism... to inspire. Find your heroes. Live up to their example. Therein, we find our own heroism.
For me, I am taking stock of my heroes... real and surreal, passed and still here. I am asking myself what is heroic about them for me, and considering what they are here to teach me. I am drawing together my best Camelot to figure out what I borrow from each to live my best life, in joy and service. What part of them inspires me? What qualities and strengths of character? What knowledge, skills and abilities? What capacities? What beliefs, values and assumptions? What is it of them that inspires my mind and heart? I believe and contend that we get to design who we choose to be. Our heroes are our signposts. They point us to what we most admire.
Try it for yourself. See where that takes you.
AukWords will return, and advance the everyday heroic.
Peace, passion and prosperity...
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
- Deliver August 2019
- Leaducator August 2019
- broadCAST August 2019
- Developing Character Leadership
- The Character of Leadership