Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: April 9, 2005
Good Sabbath
April 9, 2005
Baseball season is back, where overgrown boys are paid to do what under-grown kids would love to do for nothing; where food is priced like gasoline, strangers become ballpark neighbors booing and cheering, and cold San Diego nights teach newcomers that evenings are for brave chilled souls learning about the playful rites of spring.
Friday I had the pleasure of attending the 2nd Annual Women in Leadership Conference, at the Joan B.. Croc Center for Peace and Justice on the exquisite University of San Diego Campus. I teach leadership on several campuses and have found that it is a process of behavior which I want the students to define by the end of each semester. To me leadership is a personal ethic that is built upon the golden rule of how we treat each other, rather than power and authority.
Two very different women, with power, gave us their experiences with leadership. The biographical sharing also reminded us of how women see themselves as women and as leaders. Each speaker returned to core values which they had learned from parents. The regional head of Pfizer, which is experiencing all kind of problems, recited in a warm/human manner her growing up, her religious orientation, her marriage and her progress in becoming a strong leader with power, yet well-honed humanity and understanding, to have confidence in self and others, a clear vision, a sound strategy, surrounding herself with good, smart people, believing "you can do it", celebrate early and often, provide the glue , know thyself, listen and ask questions and be generous with credit.
Barbara De Angelis, author of 14 books, unveiled her latest gem, "How Did I get Here—Finding your way to renewed hope and happiness when life and love take unexpected turns." She has a wisdom beyond her wonderful femininity, poking fun at herself and life, explaining and reading from her book what she has learned in her life of dealing with unexpected (learning how to navigate through them). Describing "birth" as a happening that has nothing to do with pregnancy but with ideas, feelings, and experiences that give birth to change and challenge—"what is invisible to others, you give birth to...bundles of riches, new visions—the journey that tests us....stop, look, listen and be!
"We either make ourselves happy or miserable—the work is the same."
"The unexpected is never convenient."
"Man plans and God laughs (a quote)."
"A strategy for dealing with what actually happens."
"What does a role model model?"
"The obstacles in life are directing us."
And her ultimate message: "measure your life in love".
She was authentic in every way, a beauty with a soul to match, whom God has blessed . Her book and she may be researched at www.barbaradeangelis.com or by faxing 310/996-5587 and ask for an autographed copy by mentioning my Sabbath message here. She is special, who happens to be a lady filled with wisdom and un-pretending.
So, at first very self-conscious at being one of the very few men in the audience, I met and listened to so many fine creatures, listened to their adventures on earth, sharing their triumphs and disappointments, including a heroic Mexican lady in charge of a Spanish TV station, a vibrant President of a local TV station, sharing her movie-like experiences but thankful that she had married the right partner for her own drives and impatience. Some spoke with dynamic cadence and others with tenderness and measured tones.
I have a special capacity to understand what each said because of the greatness of the women in my life, from my Mother's Mom, my Mother, my Aunt Betty and my splendid, superb life-partner, Frances. Without taking any credit away from the marvelous men in my life, my Mom's Dad, my great Dad, and my witty, bright, super-human only Brother.
"Fate, there is no fate; between the thought and the success, God is the only agent." (Bulwer)
God, I celebrate Your presence.
We all are born in mystery
And we join our Maker on the day of our departure
Whether Pope or simple mortal
Famous or little known
We travel out paths
With You as our guide
Though most times
We feel quite alone.
But really, never
never.
This Sabbath, be joyful, for we are alive, in pain or comfort, alone or with mate, all sharing the road to God's Village.
sandy
