Leadership Class

Some of you probably wonder how I find the time to do so many things...the answer is: I don't sleep! If you were an insomniac; you, too, could overschedule your time, solve the world's problems in the wee hours of the morning, and work enough for two people. Doesn't that sound appealing?

Among other activities, I teach a leadership class at KU on Wednesday's. It's an undergraduate course in the Communication Studies department (my baccalaureate degree). This class is a prerequisite for the leadership minor. They have to successfully complete this course in order to apply for the minor. I taught this course last year and had a lot of fun. They asked me to come back. I decided to return once per year, just to have the experience, but (hopefully) not stress myself out.

I am a student of leadership. I read everything I can about it. Last semester I found teaching an interesting challenge; though I am familiar with the concepts, literature and strategies related to leadership, it is difficult to articulate to someone else. I can honestly tell you from experience, "Teaching is the greatest form of learning." If you want to truly learn something, try explaining it to someone else so they can understand. You'll be an expert before you're through!

Last year I taught a lesson on overcoming failure. In the same semester my divorce was final. In fact, it was a matter of days between the divorce and that lecture. I was face-to-face with the biggest failure of my life, and I was challenging my students to not let failure define or defeat them. The lecture was as much for me as it was for my students. As I developed the lecture on overcoming failure I was formulating a strategy for turning personal disappointment into a growth experience, rather than a defining moment.

Today I had a similar experience. I am faced with some difficult life choices. I haven't made a decision which way to go. The lesson today was on ambition and opportunity. Very appropriate in framing my current decision.

POINT ONE: Timing is everything
bad idea + bad timing = disaster
good idea + bad timing = failure
good idea + good timing = success

The question is no longer "should I?" or "could I?" - these are impossible to answer. The question is: Is this the right time? That is still to be determined. I'm in negotiations with the NGO. My hope would be to go to school AND act as the Executive Director on a part-time basis, for a decent salary, of course. Sound impossible? So far they are willing to work with me on my terms. The board was meeting tonight and I should hear something from them soon. I'll keep you posted.

I hope you enjoyed the free mini-lecture on leadership and opporutnity. Smile!

Job opportunity

As if I didn't already have enough difficult decisions to make...I received an unexpected phone call today. The director and founder of a local not-for-profit contacted me. He is resigning his position tonight to move on to other business endeavors and due to some changes in his family. He wanted to know if I was interested in the director position.

Interested? Yeah! But should I jump at the opportunity? That's a different question.

The organization has an international mission I can support and build on. It has a strong reputation in the community. It has a supportive board. It has financial problems. I told the caller, "I'm not even sure what my questions are yet, can he give me some time." We are meeting for lunch on Monday. They are looking to hire in the next six weeks. I think I can legitimately say I was just thrown a curve ball - an unexpected opportunity in the midst of my other life-altering decisions about the future.

I request your prayers for wisdom and clarity in this decision.

Daffodils

Have you ever noticed how happy the flower daffodils are? I hadn't really noticed until today. In the past I have always appreciated daffodils because they bloom in spring. It was a symbol of the end of bleak winter and the arrival of sunny days to come. They often bloom before the grass is green or the trees have filled with leaves. The yellow color is vibrant and noticeable from almost anywhere. Next to Magnolia trees they are my favorite spring bloom.

This morning I entered my office to a bouquet of sunny, yellow daffodils sitting on the window sill. They are in a clear vase with a simple green bow. It was a welcome surprise that brought a much needed smile to my face. They were from a good friend and co-worker. I am so grateful for the flowers and her friendship. What a thoughtful and appropriate gift!

This post is an ode to friendship and daffodils. Thanks to all of you who have sent your thoughts and care through phone calls, email and offers of spending time together. In spite of my recent loss, I am blessed with a wealth of relationships - good friends are priceless! Thank you for you friendship. I am grateful for it.

full-time student?

Before leaving to India I was informed my application for admission to the PhD program had been recommended for admissions. I had a wave of emotions. First, I was excited, thrilled and had a sense of accomplishment. Very close behind was a feeling of sadness, because I was not sure I could accept the offer. The younger Sheri would have said, "I CAN do it all." Work, school, and the India projects. The older (and hopefully wiser) Sheri knows I have limited time and energy. I have to make a choice in order to be effective. My preference would be to return to school, accomplish my dream of earning a PhD, AND continue the work in India. The problem is - there's no money in either. How can I study and invest myself in humanitarian work when neither offers a pay check? I've still got to survive, right?

The puzzle has begun to come together. While I was in India the committee met and they offered me a generous Graduate Research Assistant position (GRA). The GRA will cover school expenses of tuition and fees. It comes with a $20,000 annual stipend, and I will be eligible for health insurance as a GRA. That amount doesn't meet all of my financial need, but it won't take much to make up the difference. I'm currently looking into options to finance the remainder of my living expenses - loans are a last (and very unattractive) resort. I have faith the remaining details will work themselves out. What an exciting adventure? What an opportunity? Is it possible, do dreams really come true? Maybe?

Visit to India

I just returned from another adventure in South India. We visited approximately 10 water projects...eight in one day. These borewells will supply clean drinking water for thousands! We visited the Light of Love Children's home - my new home away from home. This visit was too short, but it was nice because the children knew my name, I knew some of their names and there was familiarity with the people and place. We also participated in two housing projects; one in a tsunami area and one that had been devastated by fire, both reach the poorest of the poor. My purpose this time was to transport medical supplies. I took as much as would fit in the space allowed by the airlines. I arrived home yesterday, I received an email this morning from a volunteer in Tuni who said they have put the bandages to good use already. I was glad to hear it.

I will return to India in June. The purpose of that trip is to scope out a new location for a second orphanage. I will also transport additional medical supplies and school supplies for the children. Their academic year starts in July.

I want to share with you one of the most memorable stories from my trip. The picture of the girl above is Varalaxmi. She is 19 years old. She was married at 16 - not uncommon in that part of the world. What she did not know is that her husband had AIDS. In their first week of marriage he had a fever. That is when she discovered the truth. She is already a widow. They have a two year old son. She is infected with HIV. She has asked Dr. Prem Das to take her child in to the Light of Love Children's home in the new academic year. Her parents want her to remarry because they don't want the responsibility of caring for her. She wants to spend her last days near her son, and has asked to also work at the home as long as she is able. Prem Das has agreed. He has done this before on more than one occasion. Prem Das asked me to be part of the intake interview while I was there. Her story was heartwrenching. I took this picture during her telling of that story. It captured emotion I cannot convey.

Please pray for the work that is being done in India. Please pray for these people in desperate situations. Please pray that I will be faithful and diligent in my work with them. There is so much need that at times it is hard to believe one person can make a difference, then I look to Prem Das example and the thousands of people he has helped - I know then it is worth the effort. Thank you for your support.

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