Which Leader has inspired you?
Here is a discussion topic on self or personal motivation.
Which inspirational leader, past or present, have you modeled your life after?
Explain, using examples and references, how this leader has helped you improve your personal or professional life, and relate your comments to the Four Principles for Purposeful Action.
This post was written by Margaux Ellis-Hall, who will lead the discussion for the week starting on March 10.
I must say that Jesus Christ is the Leader that gives the most influence in my life. I would like to say I’ve modeled my life after him but not always have I acted in step with Him. But for me, it is not only a view of the example He led but also a faith placed on Him for eternal security.
But as for the Four Principles of Purposeful Action, Christ’s life is one of perfection. Every action he did was purposeful. He was continually about serving others. Even to the point of death where he died on the cross for the sins of the world. Giving himself as the payment we all are in debt for. He died so that we may have life with God through faith in Him. He had the perfect ethical balance with no desires from the negative side. And as for interacting with others, he most definitely knew what his purpose was and how he would affect all lives.
As we’ve studied this philosophy over the past few weeks, we discussed many different characteristics of people and how we all interact to one another. There are many ideas that are beneficial for purposeful living that we have learned of, but I would propose to all that the true and best and only directive for true purposeful living is found in the Bible. This book is the divinely transferred image of God. Transcribed by man through the direction of God. The Bible tells of God’s plan for man and His salvation given to man through His Son Jesus Christ. Christ is alive, being resurrected by his Father. Christ is God. And through Christ living in us through faith in Him can we ever begin to truly live a purposeful life.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
If you don’t know who Jesus Christ is, I deeply request you discover who He is. Read the book of John to learn of His life on Earth and what he did for us all.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=1&version=31
http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
This is who I wish to model my life after.
From a very early age I’ve been inspired by the teachings of Zen Buddhism. In particular the teachings of Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned peace activist and author who has made tremendous strides in not only bringing Zen teachings to the West but also making them accessible to westerners. In my mind, after all that I’ve learned about the Four Principles of Purposeful Action, Thich Nhat Hanh is a servant leader of the highest degree and is a perfect example of an individual following the Four Principles of Purposful Action.
Hanh founded the School of Youth for Social Services, which was a grassroots organization that rebuilt villages in Saigon that had been bombed and setup medical centers and resettled homeless families. This is just one of many examples of purposeful action. He demonstrated his desire to serve again in his talks with the U.S. government to withdraw from Vietnam and in his talks with Martin Luther King, Jr. to oppose the Vietnam War publicly.
Thich Nhat Hanh has established many monastic practice centers around the world in an effort to further spread his teachings on peace, service, and meditation. Perhaps the primary component of Hanh’s teachings is what he refers to as mindfulness. It is from this mindfulness that Hanh is able to effectively manage his desires and relate to and connect with others. He says of this mindfulness that it is “…method for realizing the interconnectedness and the changing nature of the self.”
Hanh’s books served me well during a troubling time in high school and it was during this time that I began trying to really put into practice what his teachings espoused. Easier said than done. Hanh’s words on mindfulness instilled in me a realization that there is much good to do in this world and that no act of kindness is too small. The seemingly small and trivial acts of kindness are cumulative in the sense that they serve to move you towards greater acts of kindness and service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh
http://www.time.com/time/asia/2006/heroes/in_hanh.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501050124-1018137,00.html
Joshua Goodlett,I havn’t heard about Zen Buddhism. Today from you i came to know about Thick Nhat Hanh interesting.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was the 11th president of India who worked as an engineer with DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation, India) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). He is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work on development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology.
Dr Kalam is well known as the People’s President of India. He wrote and dedicated the book ‘India 2020′ to a young girl whom he met and asked as “what is your dream?” for which the young girl replied “I want to live in a developed India.” In this book he examined the strengths and weaknesses of the nation and offered a vision of how India can emerge to be among the world’s first four economic powers by 2020. Dr Kalam is credited with the view that India ought to take a more assertive stance in international relations, he regards his work on India’s nuclear weapons program as a way to assert the nation’s place as a future superpower.
Dr. Kalam, is one of the greatest Presidents of India who even won the poll conducted by news channel CNN-IBN for India’s Best President.
source: http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/index.jsp
Yes Swathy. The nuclear dealings in India, He had a major role in them been possible and successful.
He is indeed a very fascinating and successful leader. I am in agreement with his views and opinions on the importance on using IT and intelligence as a means to gauge India’s developmental progress. However, the following quote attributed to him I find very conflicting with what we have been studying:
In the 3,000-year history of India, barring 600 years, the country has been ruled by others. If you need development, the country should witness peace and peace is ensured by strength. Missiles were developed to strengthen the country.
This to me indicates he espouses peace by force. Is this a purposeful act? His work with India’s nuclear weapons program as a means to assert India’s power conflicts with the positive core values and is focused on the second level of desire, which is status (power) and reputation.
I’m not judging by any means. He is indeed a very accomplished leader who has done wonders towards the development of India. I simply find his focus on weapons as a means to peace conflicting.
It was very interesting to read about Dr. Abdul Kalam. A great leader and an man of intellegence.
I have always wondered by more leader do not come from the engineering fields.
Mother Teresa is among the most fascinating and highly respected women of the twentieth century. She was a woman who saved lives and changed them through the sheer force of her faith and determination. Mother Teresa was devoted to be love in action on earth. She was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Moldavia. In 1928 she suddenly decided to become a nun and traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to join the Sisters of Loreto, a religious order founded in the seventeenth century. After studying at the convent for less than a year, she left to join the Loreto convent in the city of Darjeeling in northeast India. On May 24, 1931, she took the name of “Teresa” in honor of St. Teresa of Lisieux. In 1948 she founded a religious order of nuns in Calcutta, India, called the Missionaries of Charity. Through this association, she dedicated her life to helping the poor, the sick, and the dying around the world, particularly those in India. Her selfless work with the needy has brought her much acclaim and many awards. When Mother Teresa was eighty years old, she started to suffer from heart problems. Even though Mother Teresa became weak, she still continued traveling and working. Mother Teresa once said in 1989 “My doctors are always telling me that I must not travel so much, that I must slow down, but I have all eternity to rest and there is so much still to do. Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others.” Eight years later Mother Teresa died on September 5th, 1997, of a heart attack. She was eighty-seven years old.
http://itchybon1.tripod.com/hrd/id28.html
I truly admire Mother Teresa for her selfless help and devotion towards the poor and needy. She did transform several people’s lives in India. She visited my school when I was too young then to even understand who she is.
Mother Teresa is a very good example. But I would venture to say that her character came from Jesus Christ and not of herself. She dedicated her life to follow His footsteps. God led her through life and gave her the passions she lived for.
Yes. she is an absolute idol.
Excellent selection Mirek. It seems to be the case that many of the truly sincere, and I stress sincere here, religious and spiritual leaders exemplify the Four Principles. As Chris points out, Mother Teresa’s actions were also likely inspired by the actions of Christ. This is a great illustration of servant leaders inspiring the next generation of leaders, who themselves go on to inspire countless others.
Mother Teresa did all her actions as a reflection of her beliefs, not to shine the light on herself. She was a servant leader.
Mirek, Mother Teresa is a wonderful lady. I like her alot. she is a symbol of kind and purity.
Benjamin Franklin philosophy on life and his thirteen qualities of a person has influenced my life.
“His “Plan” was made up of 13 virtues, each with short descriptions:” Quotation followed by explanation on how it relates into the Four Principle for Purposeful Action
1.” Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.” By overcoming the first level of desire, you can make improvements in your life.
2. “Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself.” Avoid trifling conversation. Speak with a purpose.
3. “Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.” Follow the 12 steps to achieve your goal.
4. “Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.” Determination and persistence will get you where you want to go.
5. “Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.” Avoid greed; spend only what you can afford.
6.” Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.” Have a Purposeful Action
7. “Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.” Have integrity.
8. “Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. “Desire to serve
9. “Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve”. Do not be greedy
10. “Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.” Understand and relate to other
11. “Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation”. Self lust
12. “Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.” Do not be angry.
13. “Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates”. Have the desire to serve and achieve freedom.
“Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues are unique and obviously served him well since he is one of the most respected and most accomplished men in the history of the United States.” I try to live a simple productive life that follows many of his virtues.
http://www.flamebright.com/PTPages/Benjamin.asp
Why didn’t I think of this. Franklin was a fantastic individual and a great leader who also had a great deal of humility. I’m reading his biography at the moment and it is very enlightening. I never knew just how complex an individual he truly was. A good friend of mine who recently passed away turned me on to the biography and I am very thankful for that.
I believe strongly that professional athletics should be admired for their on the court or field performance with the exception of Jackie Robinson. His off the field conduct has inspired me the most. He embodied patience, tolerance and courage when he integrated the National Baseball League, despite encountered racism from fans and players, which included his own teammates. Robinson once said “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me … all I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson
http://www.jackierobinson.com/
Yes Margaux, Jackie Robinson had a tremendous impact on the society at his time, as well as Jesse Owens.
“Jesse Owens , the runner who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and whose sterling performance was a slap in the face to Adolf Hitler and his racist eugenics philosophy, was the most popular an iconic figure in American track and field history. A decade before Jackie Robinson broke the color bar in professional baseball in the 20th Century; Jesse Owens was — along with his contemporary, boxer Joe Louis — one of the first African Americans to change white society’s perception of both black athletes and, more importantly, people of color.”
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1394045/jesse_owens_a_short_biography.html?cat=14
Professional athlete as well as Hollywood stars have the ability to positively influence society however, vary rarely do they. They are in the spotlight and can make such a positive difference in children’s lives but choose to act negatively and un-purposefully. It is nice to see an athlete who not only has talent but can also be a positive influence with their actions on field and off.
I do not see many, if any professional athletes like Jackie Robinson. He did have to overcome alot to succeed in his choosen profession. The athletes today just seem to complain when someone else makes more money than they do
I did not know about Jackie robinson until I read your post. I went through his his profile on his offcial website. He is a well respected individual with many accolades and very impressive track record. An excellent choice. And ntownsend, your points are absolutely strong and correct.