I don't often consider myself a leader in any regard, but from the communications I've been receiving of late, it seems maybe I am, or at least I'm inspiring others. Perhaps a leader is someone who inspires others to accomplish things. Well, here is the one story.
My Story for TakingItGlobal.org (TIG)
The question was what inspires me:
Creativity, honesty, openness, directness, compassion, intelligence, and freedom inspire me and have throughout my now 45 years. These are qualities I find true in myself and honor them in others when they exhibit such. Creativity, such as in art, always inspires as I gaze upon the beauty, talent, and mind of the artist. Honesty, when expressed through love, is valued amongst my friends, and even when it might slip out through anger. Openness because I believe we should all be open about our lives because it allows us to live freely without fear. Directness may not suit everyone, however, I find it easy for then I know what another is really thinking. Compassion and intelligence go hand and hand for me in that we should have both so that our lives are led with our minds but guided by our hearts. Freedom, being able to do, say, or just be, perhaps is the one thing that has kept my life in constant change, but the one thing I know that guides my path.
What projects am I involved with :
While attending a bi-annual PWA (people with AIDS) camp out, sponsored by the PWA Holiday Charities of Houston, Texas, I and some others were sitting and talking when someone mentioned they had just started dating someone. We all asked, ‘have you had “The Conversation”?’ This term, as some of us have affectionately started calling it, is about disclosing our HIV status. During this little time of chat the idea of a book came about, being that there wasn’t one about the topic, and being that I felt I had something to give to the world, I started working on developing a book. The early beginnings were crude, and some aspects still are, but “The Conversation” is taking off and finding its supporters and participants. I’m retired due to having HIV and Neurosyphilis, something uncommon in these days, and now have an AIDS diagnoses. Thus, I work almost full time on developing the book, along with a film project, seeking people to volunteer their stories, to create their own video shorts, and to promote the project’s work. I’m amazed at the responses and support the project has received, as I didn’t really think about how it would be in reality, just a belief that there was a story to tell that hadn’t been told. Perhaps a hope of being able to live in a world where I can freely talk about my HIV status without worrying if I would loose my job, my health benefits, and family and friends. I don’t know where all of this is leading now, but the universe is taking the energy that I’ve put forth and letting it find its own end, so for now I’m doing my part and enjoying the ride down this river of life.
What do I think makes a good leader:
Leadership, there are some who are taught to lead, others who have a natural ability to lead, and yet others who lead through action or verse. I believe anyone can lead, it’s just a matter of believing in something and working for that cause, that thought, that intuition. Anyone who leads, I believe and because I have lead four companies now, along with being a leader in the military, should have knowledge, compassion, understanding, strength of character, a belief in one’s self, and above all else honesty. I don’t consider myself a leader, although life has put me in that position often, probably because I still doubt that I can make a difference or lead anyone anywhere. But I know, from my own experiences and the comments from others, that I am a leader simply because I believe in something, have talents, and apparently born to do something.
Is there anything that TIG can do to help me achieve my work and have they helped:Oh, yes, as I scream this loudly. Taking It Global has helped me achieve part of my goal of getting the word out about my project, not to mention providing great resources and leads to others who might want to be involved in “The Conversation”. I greatly respect Janet (I’m not sure of her profile name on here, something I suppose I will go find out), who has been promoting the project and sending me the responses she obtains from others. I suppose there are other ways that TIG could help, but by just having this wonderful resource here to connect, share and learn has been incredible. I’ve created a Blog, a Group, and even been making new friends. Perhaps the greatest blessing would be to have TIG promote the project to a publisher (as I haven’t found one yet who is interested) or helping me to find ways of getting funding for the film project. If anyone knows of ways I can reach resources for either of these I would be grateful. I suppose the new age of technology can be something wonderful, and TIG is doing something awesome and I’m glad I can be a part of it all.
