In his latest, Empty Promises, pastor and best-selling author Pete Wilson examines the goals and ideals that many people (myself included) pursue, only to find that they don’t enrich our lives but, instead, often leave us feeling empty.

Through his own real life struggles, examples from people he has counseled over the years, and Biblical references, Wilson helps readers see the often difficult truth about what drives us and why.  He invites us to think differently about why we are drawn to achievement or power.  We learn about the temptation of emphasis on outer beauty or collecting wealth.  Warning: Don’t think this doesn’t apply to you until you read the book.  You might be surprised.

Interestingly enough, Wilson also challenges us to consider whether we are addicted to religion rather than a relationship with God.  He invites us to examine what or who we worship and if that is taking our lives in the direction we really want to go.

The entire book is a gentle challenge to the promises we make to ourselves.  If only ______, then ______.  How many times can we look back and say, yes, that’s exactly the way it worked? Probably not very often.

If only I get that promotion, then my co-workers would respect me more.  If only I had a bigger house with a bigger yard, then my family would be happier.  If only I made more money, then I would be happier.  If only I went to church every week, then God will love me.  If only…then…

Read this book to find out why those promises to ourselves and really empty promises.  You’ll also discover what really can add meaning and joy to your life.  That is not an empty promise.

Order the book HERE on Amazon.com.

(A free copy of this book was made available through the BookSneeze blogger review program, however, the opinions expressed are entirely my own, free of any influence.)

Today, I am thankful to be old enough to remember Saturday afternoons watching American Bandstand.

I can’t help but smiling as I think about watching the dancers so I could learn the newest steps.  I remember the weekly Rate-A-Record segment; “It’s got a good beat and is easy to dance to” was a popular score justification.  Everyone wanted to be like the cool kids on American Bandstand.

Then there are the contributions made to popular music, introducing rock ‘n roll to the masses as the first show to merge popular music and TV.  Songs introduced on the show one week were top forty hits the next.  There are landmark music history moments, too.  Dick Clark changed the ‘all white” rule of the previous host and provided a national stage for Little Anthony, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker and more.  On the air for thirty years, American Bandstand introduced stars from Buddy Holly to Madonna, the Everly Brothers to Donna Summer.

Although there are numerous other television shows that Dick Clark is responsible for, American Bandstand is what I will most remember him for, with much gratitude and appreciation.

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Take seashells, for example.

These three jars of shells are in my office, reminders of favorite vacations at the shore and various other beaches. 

You can probably tell that the shells are not all the same.  Some are large, some are small.  Some are plain, some are a little fancier.  There are all different colors in the jars, too.  That’s about all you can see when you look at such a large number of shells at once. 

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Imagine, though, what you might see if you took the time to step a little closer to the jars and really look at the shells individually.  The deep orange, pink, and gold; the light brown, gray, and off white.  Some shells swirl, some fan wide, some are ridged.  Some are round while others are long and thin.  Each one is unique.  Each one is beautiful in its own way.

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Taking the time to really look at the shells also provides the opportunity to look past obvious chips, cracks and even gaping holes and focus more on the beauty that is there.  Below are two pictures of the same shell.  When I found it, it was lying on the beach with the hole on top.  Not really the most attractive thing.  I stopped, picked it up, turned it over and marvelled at the beauty of nature’s colors  inside.

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What does this all have to do with diversity and leadership and teamwork? 

Think about your team members.  Do you just see them as a group?  Or, do you take the time to see the unique gifts of each person?  Do you see them as a single unit,”my team,” or have you discovered what makes each individual different from the rest?  Do you turn away from that one person who perhaps doesn’t make a good first impression or have you taken the time to find the beauty that might be hidden deep inside?

Whether seashells or people; richness and beauty lies in diversity.

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.

No matter how much a leader might benefit from observing another leader’s actions, or contemplating another’s philosophies, the leader will never BE that other person.  So stop trying.  Instead, use the lessons from others, such as the life and times of Steve Jobs, to strengthen your skills, hone your ideas, develop your approach and live your life.  Remember, YOU are the leader your followers are inspired by.  You.

Today’s newslink is to an interesting commentary on this subject, written by Steve Tobak and published April 10 on CBSNews.com.  Click HERE to read the full article.

Newslink: Leadership features articles about the development and practice of leadership skills in today’s business world.

Is leadership irrelevant?  Is the real “power” today in the hands of followers?  Has social media and the resulting perceived lack of privacy completely changed the way leaders and followers are viewed?  Is the “leadership industry” dead?  The End of Leadership, a new book written by Barbara Kellerman asks these intriguing questions.

Today’s newslink is to a book review written by Philip Delves Broughton and published April 4th in Financial Times.  Click here to read it and then consider this: What do you think about leadership today?  Hope you’ll leave a comment and let me know!

Newslink: Leadership features articles about the development and practice of leadership skills in today’s business world.

If you’ve paid attention to international news lately, you know that there is serious conflict happening in Syria.  This conflict has led many Syrians to abandon their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries.  Earlier this week, I got the email below from the United Nations Refugee Agency.

I can’t add anything more that would make a difference. Please help. Today.

Dear Eleanor,

We are in urgent need of your support.

As you know, the fighting in Syria is intense, and some 30,000 refugees have already fled in desperation.  More are coming.  They need immediate assistance, and I’m asking you for your immediate and generous support.

Families are pouring over the borders into Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.  They have fled with little more than the clothes on their back, clutching their children and fearing for their lives.  The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is already helping – but I’ve just received an urgent update:

UNHCR needs 2,400 more blankets and other critical supplies like tents and hygiene kits, and they need them now.

They can buy blankets and get them delivered quickly but we must raise the emergency funding to purchase them in the next eight days.  So I ask for your help.

Please donate today to help us buy blankets and other humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees.

Just $55 will help buy blankets for one refugee family. Click here to access our secure website to make an easy and safe contribution.  And please do it right away – because you might think of the Middle East as being hot and dry, but tonight’s forecast is proof that no child should be sleeping outside without warm covers:

In Lebanon and Jordan, the temperatures will get down to 47ºF/8ºC, and in Turkey it’s even colder – 38ºF/3ºC.

They don’t have homes, they don’t have beds, they don’t have camping gear.  They have hope – hope that you and I will help them.  Please donate today.

Please give generously right away; we must raise the funds for 2,400 blankets in the next eight days. 

Jo Sullivan
Executive Director
USA for UNHCR
www.UNRefugees.org
info@usaforunhcr.org

 PS:  We must raise the money to provide 2,400 blankets in the next eight days.  Can you please help?  Click here to make a compassionate donation to help a refugee family in urgent need. 

Last Thursday, Steve Farber, one of my favorite authors, tweeted:

An invitation to participate in Thank You Thursdays: http://ow.ly/2PASG

Anything Steve recommends immediately piques my interest, so I clicked the link and was taken to The Modern Servant Leader blog. Blog author Benjamin Lichtenwalner proposed the idea of taking a few moments every Thursday to thank someone for something, thereby helping develop the practice of gratitude. Lichtenwalner gives his reasoning for choosing Thursday, suggestions on who to thank, how to thank, and how often to express thanks.

At the time, I was trying to think of a great way to wrap up Customer Service Appreciation Week.  After reading Lichtenwalner’s post, I decided that the best way to end the week was to actually extend appreciation all year long by introducing Thank-You Thursdays. 

One way for me to express myself is through this blog.  So, beginning today, every Thursday I will offer thanks of some sort. 

I hope you’ll be inspired to join the gratitude movement!  As quoted on Lichtenwalner’s post,

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Arthur Ward

St. Patrick’s Day might be over, but you can continue to honor your Irish heritage by supporting The Ireland Funds, “the global Irish making a difference together.”  In addition to eleven other worldwide Ireland Fund organizations, the largest is right here in the United States, with twelve chapters across the country.

For 35 years, the American Ireland Fund has been helping people in need by supporting worthy projects in both Ireland and the U.S.  All of The Ireland Funds currently concentrate on seven priority areas: providing access to education, supporting a shared future for Northern Ireland, investing in Ireland’s communities, promoting Irish culture and heritage, assisting the elderly “Forgotten Irish,” assisting disadvantaged youth and promoting philanthropy.

The specific initiatives supported by The American Ireland Fund include:

Providing improved school facilities and classroom equipment totalling over $1 million to the Integrated Education movement. Still, 94% of all children in Northern Ireland attend segregated schools (Catholic/Protestant). Much work remains and The American Ireland Fund is committed to create a shared society through integrated education.

Thanks to lead funding from The American Ireland Fund, Sesame Workshop initially created 26 episodes of Sesame Tree for Northern Ireland’s children. Early follow-up studies by Queen’s University, Belfast show that after watching Sesame Tree, children are more willing to be inclusive of those from other backgrounds.

The American Ireland Fund has announced a partnership with the Irish Government in funding a toll-free helpline that is collaboration between all three Irish centers. Modeled on a successful initiative in Ireland, the U.S. Senior Connect Helpline is available for seniors who are isolated, lonely or in need of services.

If you would like to support these good works in Ireland, click HERE to donate now. For a more social experience, you can join various organizations and societies promoting Irish cultural exploration and celebration by following this link.

You can also make a special St. Patrick’s Day gift to the Promising Ireland campaign, a special effort of The American Ireland Fund to raise $100 million by the end of 2013.  Need for services in Ireland is up and resources are down; this campaign will help needed services continue on the island.

As always, you should research any organization you are considering making a donation to.  Click HERE for Charity Navigator’s rating of The American Ireland Fund.

Do you ever think about when or how your life will end?  What about this idea: How often do you think about finishing your life well?  That is exactly what this book is about. Famed evangelist Billy Graham shares his thoughts on aging and nearing the time when he will pass from his earthly home to his heavenly home. 

At the age of 93 years, Graham continues his ministry by sharing the trials and opportunities of advanced age.  There are everyday challenges that come with diminished physical abilities.  There are emotional issues as friends and family members become seriously ill or die.  Yet, Rev. Graham keeps readers looking forward.  He reminds us that the best is yet to come and each day that goes by brings us closer to that best.

As one would expect, there are many biblical references throughout the book.  What I really enjoyed was the way those ancient stories are interwined with human experiences of today. Graham talks about what he learned from his wife about dying well, as he watched her suffer with dignity and humor.  Graham talks about the joys and responsibility of grandparenting. He provides ideas for retirement planning; planning to live an active life filled with hope.  He also discusses the very real struggles of aging; diminishing skills, fearfulness, depression.

The stories are told and lessons are offered as if author and reader are sitting across the kitchen table, engaging in conversation over a cup of coffee.  I could hear the quiet voice of wisdom from a man sharing what his life and faith have taught him.

Chapter seven begins with this quote:

Wise counsel to the young is the duty of the aged. -unknown

If that is the case, Reverend Graham has fulfilled his duty, and then some.

If you would like to order this books for yourself or as a gift, click on the link for Amazon or ChristianBook.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Nostalgia.  People just need to get over it.  Move on.

Those words were spoken in a meeting today, as someone was reacting to a recent conversation he had with some folks.  It got me thinking about whether or not nostalgia is a good thing or a bad thing.

Then, I heard the news.  Davy Jones died.

Today, I am thankful for the nostaligic memories this news brought rushing back to my consciousness.

I’m a Believer.  Pleasant Valley Sunday.  Valleri.  The Last Train to Clarksville.  Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees.  Loved that song and the goofy intro to The Monkees TV show.  Who hasn’t done that silly beach walk with their friends?

Which one was Davy, you ask?  The cute one,  of course!

If you’re fan and want a short trip down memory lane or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, watch this video, featuring Davy.  Prepare for some toe-tapping be-bopping chair dancing swooning.  (Click the song titles above for some more!)

Thanks for the memories, Davy.  Rest in peace.

As for nostaligia, I’ve decided that it is A-OK, as long as looking back doesn’t hinder you from looking forward.