How You Can Make a Difference!

There comes a time in your life when you must take a stand. Whether it’s the bully on the block, the narcissistic boss or the broken system; sooner or later- enough is enough. If you’re waiting for the right time to do something, it’ll never happen. It starts with one voice and that voice is yours.

Maybe you’d like someone else to lead the charge?  Don’t hold your breath. We’re all waiting for someone else, so it’s going to be a long wait. That’s why it has to be you. Someone has to be the leader and it must be you.

I’ve spoken out many times for what I believe in and what I am against. I’ve taken risks and will continue to do so. It isn’t about winning or losing, it’s about doing right verses wrong. At the end of the day, I can look in the mirror and know I stood for a cause, belief or circumstance and made a difference.

We teach our kids to “just say no to drugs” but as adults we compromise our integrity, morals and beliefs just to fit in the crowd, job or neighborhood. Is it any wonder they would have a tough time when Mom and Dad submit to peer pressure? Behavior becomes an accepted norm once nobody cares. Governments and organizations understand this fact and use it to support their cause.

Once nobody cares the next assumption becomes relevant. It's the accepted sordid truth, though it’s not. When nobody takes a stand the lines become blurred and it’s difficult to change. They’ll call you ‘crazy’ and use you as an example of convenience.

Deep down you will know you’re different and it’s ok. Because you are the one who takes a stand and will bring us back to the truth. Together, we will succeed. We can’t do it without you.

Stand-up, because- this is your time!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Raising the Bar of Leadership!

 

“Do not take the agenda that someone else has mapped out for your life.”
― John C. Maxwell

Hold On

The quest to push “the powers in charge” is simply a call for integrity and accountability. One of the main reasons for the lack of those morals is fear. Management plays the fear card and employees respond. Government practices the same measures. Although those in hallowed offices and chambers view it as a form of strategic marketing management- it's not!

A plan designed to hold people in fear, keeping them from recognizing truth and limiting their resources. In truth, it’s a deployment of walls within a calculated plan to harness your mind and productivity. Business and Government have manipulated the public successfully for years. The plan worked extremely well until it contributed to the fall of the Industrial Age.

Blinded By the Light

Greed, power and corruption led to a blinded future. The outcome few cared about. The end-game played out and the deck was stacked. Those who bought into the cycle of fear lost. Only a few walked away unscathed.

The gatekeepers under those at the helm are actually fueled by a higher degree of fear and caution. The ability to placate both ends of the spectrum, while maintaining position or elective status is a stressful job. Selling out their souls for a title to serve the employees or voters in mass requires the skill to not recognize “the man in the glass.”

Come Together

We need people to become involved in politics and business for honest reasons. The heck with party lines- let’s fix something broke. Recognize the playing field and develop a sound strategic plan based on principals to bring integrity and accountability back to our purpose in life.

Stop the whining and babble. We want honesty, truth and something worth standing up for. We want to feel alive and live a purposeful life.

Last Train to Clarksville

 I believe we have forgotten our strengths and our ability of courage to create change. We’ve become numb from listening too much, believing everyone else’s agenda or just plain given up.

Enough’s- enough, let’s reclaim our spirit, our freedom and our rights.

What can you do to create positive change today?

“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”
― John C. Maxwell

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Should We Follow the Leader?

One of the common problems here in the Rust Belt is the lack of leadership. Perhaps it’s due to living in a “small town” mentality or because so few good paying jobs exist. Ducking the obvious questions and failing to recognize problems seems to be fashionable. When a leader allows position, money, or status to interfere with “doing the right thing” we have a bigger problem.

News Media

Years ago, news reporters built their reputation by asking the hard questions, un-covering stories and following leads. Now it’s about the advertisement revenue and in most cases- nothing else matters. Reporters used to take risks, a voice of reason and hold society accountable. Locally, all we are left with is a liberal newspaper seeking social media approval, being ever so careful not to hurt advertiser’s feelings.  

This lowers the bar for everyone.

Corporate Management

Corporate management is so concerned to move up the ladder or protect their positions, problems don’t exist. The only real problem is when they are able to avoid the leak. So, generally the problem is the person who reports the bad news. The plan to shutdown the point of question invariably becomes the point of attack.

Whatever happened to- Don’t shoot the messenger?

--Again, the bar is lowered and the outcome is a message of everything’s roses.

Hardly!

Stay in Line-Follow the Sheep

The saddest fact is young people witness these acts of poor leadership techniques and believe it is acceptable or the norm. The public believes everything is fine. Monkey see, Monkey do.

Eventually, a large part of society has been so blinded, so mislead that it fails to recognize right from wrong. The message sent is nothing matters except money, greed and position. Everything is fine, just sit back and let us run the ship.

That little ice-burg we just hit was nothing. Keep dancing. After all, we are the Titanic!

Just the Facts

Far better to question authority, use a fact checker or follow-up the situation yourself. Push the powers to be to ask the right questions and hold those responsible for answers. Never settle for- “No” or “I’ll get back with you.”

Settling for the norm ensures mediocrity or worse. Relying on someone else to have your best interests at heart is a mistake. It’s only their own agenda that matters to them.

If you are unable to get results going up the chain of command- stop contributing to the product, find a new job or remove yourself from the situation., Writing helps, because in today’s social media rage articles get noticed quickly and most businesses hate bad publicity. Sometimes, it’s the last source to seek change.

Encouraging integrity from our leaders  raises the bar of accountability, reduces the need for transparency and encourages truth.

By seeking purposeful questions we will hold those accountable for meaningful answers!

Anything less is lip service.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

President Obama visits The Rust Belt

Note: I generally abstain from political related blogs. I couldn’t resist with this one.

Last week, I had the misfortune of having both of my vehicles causing distress and breaking down several days apart. My car was already out of commission and my truck was the only option to drive.

On our journey to downtown Mansfield, Ohio; we suddenly heard a clanging sound. I figured my tail pipe had disconnected and was dragging on the ground. Upon reaching our destination on North Main Street we discovered it wasn’t the tail pipe, but the rusted muffler dragging on the pavement.

The ride up Main Street was quite nerve wracking on this particular day because the truck has a slight gas tank leak not far from the muffler. As we all know- sparks and gas are ignitable. Not a particular good problem to have.

After inspecting the situation, my wife entered the Squirrels Den to purchase some chocolate-covered buckeye candy. President Obama had visited the little chocolate shop nearly a week ago after giving a campaign speech on the town square.
  

The President spent a half-hour inside the Squirrels Den; chatting, posing for photos, and signing autographs while tasting and purchasing chocolates for the First Lady and their daughters.

The shop was still excited about their special visit and the owner, LeDonna Secrist and her staff had several stories and photos to share with us.

While my wife picked out the sweet stuff, I inquired to the owner if she had any string to temporary keep the muffler from dragging on the pavement. The owner produced a bag of bungee cords. I took a couple of cords and was able to secure the muffler for our ride home.

LeDonna refused to allow me to pay her for the cords, instead requesting “I pray for her” and return the favor by helping someone else out.

I want to publicly thank LeDonna Secrist for her kind act of graciousness.

During the chat regarding President Obama’s visit, the clerk noted many people giving negative comments. She encountered the same negative situation when she discussed seeing George W. Bush nearly eight years ago at the Renaissance Theater in Mansfield, Ohio.

She noted that she was always taught to respect the office regardless of the party tied to the helm.

I must agree with her. Hate is a terrible fear to spread. How often do you get to meet the man who represents the most powerful free nation in the world?

We should be praying for our leaders.

I understand many people are passionate towards their political party, America and their views. But there is a vast difference between hate and passion.  Let’s not confuse the two emotions.

I am surprised by the lack of respect Republicans and Democrats openly display towards each other in political advertisement and speeches.

The party process and news media have created an “us versus them” mentality which serves to divide Americans by keeping us distracted. It allows those in charge from dealing with the real issues that need to be addressed.

To me, the political party game has only given us the choice of the speed of robbing Peter to pay Paul and the negative results.

It’s the political system (Democrats and Republicans), I have lost faith in.

Politicians must understand they are elected to serve the people, instead of catering to lobbyists.

We should demand accountability, integrity and honesty from all elected officials.

Let’s stop the hate and focus on the opportunity to create change that really matters!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.