I am a Leader

It's been inspiring watching the wonderful ideas that students of Silent River Kung Fu come up with. The one happening right now that Todai Ward has implemented is especially so. Everyone’s videos so far… wow! It has always made me feel a little bad when I see people coming up with these great ideas, that I would NEVER have thought of. I’m never the one that comes up with such ideas.

However, just because I don’t lead that way, doesn’t mean I’m not a leader. I AM A LEADER. It’s just that I lead differently. My leadership takes the form of things I do and choices I make, like the Permaculture methods that I have been learning over the years and gradually implementing, and now am blessed to have 255 acres to apply that knowledge to, and I lead by continuing to grow my knowledge and blend it with other areas of knowledge such as herbalism and clinical practice… and drafting skills (so many maps for Permaculture design! Including the one with this blog post).

My daughter taught me that I was a leader when she informed me that all that time, when I didn’t help her with her homework in high school or go on the field trips (I felt so guilty!), was actually helpful to her because the reason I couldn’t help her with her homework was because I had so much homework of my own. I was doing the four-year Clinical Herbal Therapy program at college. For her I was an example! That too is leadership. She has since gotten her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, and she’s hoping that her role in what takes place on the new farm will help her get her Masters degree.

Hopefully, my relationship with my children is also an example of leadership. I am proud (pride is risky, I know) that we managed to raise children who I respect and admire for their strengths, and even go to them for advice because I respect their opinions and different experiences.

So, don’t expect me to be the idea person, and I may not be a team leader, but I will be there supporting those who are (hmmm, leading by following?) and doing my best to make my own positive little differences in the world. You never know, maybe someday I might be an ideas person too; never say never.