4 and a Half Decades of Leadership → 4 Lessons From Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Legacy
{1} Sticking to Your Principles and Beliefs Is Important. Constant Evaluation of Your Beliefs and Consideration for Others’ Is Even More Important.
He may not have invented the word compromise, but Sen. Edward M, Kennedy certainly perfected it. Reaching across party lines to work WITH Republicans, he has helped create some of the most significant legislation this nation has seen in the last half century. Despite regular criticism from his own party, Kennedy learned long ago that compromising on the issues doesn’t have to mean compromising yourself.
{2} Tragedy Does Not Mean “Defeated.”
The number of Sen. Kennedy’s triumphs is numerous, and sadly his tragedies number just as many — the shocking deaths of two brothers, a car wreck that included a dead female staff member and a LOT of controversy, a failed attempt at the 1980 Democratic Presidential Nomination and many more character building trials. And, all had to be faced in the public eye.
For a family America subconsciously associates with tragedy, Edward M. Kennedy has been the face of strength, the patriarch who carried his family through their most trying times. Even as the one with a malignant brain tumor this time around, he seems to be taking on that very same role - rallying the troops through another one of life’s hard lessons.
{3} Nurturing Your Relationships - Family, Friends, Colleagues - Is the Most Important, and Most Honorable Investment You Can Make in This Life.
One thing in particular has stood out while watching all the media coverage on Sen Kennedy in the last 24 hours: the genuine respect, honor and affection that Sen. Kennedy’s colleagues have for him.
My thoughts, and my humble prayers are with Senator Kennedy, my dear friend Ted, with his wife Vicki, and with the members of the Kennedy family. I hope and pray that an all-caring, omnipotent God will watch over Ted, and keep Ted here for us and for America. Ted, I love you, and I miss you.
He’s not just the patriarch of the Kennedy family. He’s the patriarch of our family.
He has the time, the patience, and the talent to argue his case, and sometimes not so quietly. You can have a very vigorous exchange, and two minutes later he’ll be slapping you on the back.
…it’s our job now to support him in the way that he has supported us for so many years. He’s not just a great senator, he is a great friend. He is beloved by me, and beloved by my colleagues.
{4} You Don’t Have to Be Top Dog to Make an Impact and Initiate Positive Change.
Sen. Kennedy’s failure to secure his spot as the 1980 Democratic Presidential Nominee was a personal loss, but one of the greatest gains the citizens of this country have received. I guarantee Kennedy’s hand played a significant role in at least one, if not many, pieces of legislation that you depend on.
Just to name a few…
- Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA
- Fair Housing Act Amendments (FHSAA)
- National Military Child Care Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Family Opportunity Act
A Special Kind of Inspiration
“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”
— Arthur Ashe —
When someone receives an unexpected gift, no matter the size or scope, there’s something about that moment when they first realize it. It’s that selfish reason that we give. The reason that makes us feel good inside.
And, if I’m not there for the moment, just the thought of passing along a brighter spot for someone’s day, well, honestly it allows to see the bigger picture.
Talk about an inspiring feeling.
I’ve been inspired by Cami Walker’s 29-Day Giving Challenge.
Creating 29 little bright spots in other people’s lives - I can’t think of a better way to challenge my creativity for the next 4 weeks. Keep up with my blog to see my 29-day journey.
My New Best Friend: Scrivener Writing Software
As I’m finishing up the wonderful writing project I’ve had the privilege to be involved with over the last month, I feel I must share my saving grace:
SCRIVENER
This word processor/project management software for Macs from Literature and Latte is an amazing tool for any writer, but specifically for those who have ever had trouble organizing all the research and background info they have collected for a big writing project.
One of my favorite features is that Scrivener gives me the ability to open up an audio file right next to a word processor file. I had so many interviews I conducted for this project, so it was especially helpful when I needed to go back through the audio files of an interview and take notes or transcribe the entire interview. It really streamlines that whole process, making it less of a hassle.
I had a number of articles on this project that were 2200-3000 words, and consisted of many parts. For example, one story focused on future city developments. I needed an intro and then had four different development projects to break down.
Scrivener’s outline function allows you to not only effectively organize all the parts that go to that one piece of writing, it allows to get a visual layout of all information as well. You can set up your own labeling system for classifying what each file contains. You can easily edit the label categories to whatever works for you. There’s also a place for you to write a synopsis of each file - or even auto-generate a synopsis.
Essentially, the idea for Scrivener is based on an index card system, so that’s what each new file or separate piece of information you enter becomes when you enter it - it’s own index card. The Corkboard view allow you to get a complete snapshot of all the “index cards” you have within a certain folder. Once again, it’s an invaluable visual view that’s hard to put together when you’ve got so many pieces to the puzzle.
The other way that Scrivener was so helpful was the fact that I was able to have the draft I was writing and any interview transcripts/notes side-by-side as I wrote. If I needed to pull an exact quote while compsing my draft, it was right there, all in the same window.
I’ve still got some more exploring to do in the program to utilize it to its fullest extent, but I absolutely recommend it if you are looking for a way to organize research needed for any writing project, or a way to organize all the random thoughts and writings you can seem to line up right.
Literature and Latte offers a 30-day free trial and to purchase the license after the 30 days are up is just $39.95.
43 Folders has a great review of the program as well.
7 Soul-Searching Solutions for Satisfaction: An Introspective Path For Creative Development
“If you want to work on your art,
work on your life.”
-- Anton Chekhov --
One of the biggest mistakes people make as they venture into any kind of creative life is opting for a path that ultimately leaves them winding through unnecessary twists and turns, struggling to make it to their destination. The path to creativity is straight and smooth, and truly is an enjoyable process - enjoyable, that is, IF you understand the importance of some kind of basic map to help chart your journey. First and foremost, you must internalize the plans for a creative expedition, before you can ever hope to see them materialize.
{1} Shut Up and Listen to Yourself.
This may sound a bit on the schizophrenic side of things, but makes total (and rational) sense when you start to practice it.
Think of a time when you set out to create something - writing or painting or sewing - and you found yourself at serious crossroads. All the effort in the world, and still you got stuck in a rut. Next time, don’t try so hard.
The Crafty Conduit
As a writer, if I insist on too much control over the words I put down on my paper, my story will end up just as strained and as unnatural as I feel after such a tense process for writing.
To break free from this inhibited, self-conscious attitude, it is necessary to check your ego at the door. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to soak up the experiences around you and just listen. Your artistic craft becomes an exercise in revelation, a genuine vehicle for creative self-expression.
{2} No Debbie Downers Allowed
Once you’ve allowed yourself to ditch the self-important tone, the stream of possibilities and ideas will flow mightily. Don’t let the experience be overwhelming for you - be prepared.
With so many ideas freely flowing, you have to remember to let them do exactly that: flow freely. Don’t try and make sense of the creative brainstorm by trying to polish as you go. You might end up buffing out a thought that had more potential than any of those you kept - you just to didn’t give it the chance to develop.
I have to say it to myself over and over again, but it always helps me settle into the best creative mindset: “In order to be a good writer, I have to be willing to be a bad writer.” (Julia Cameron)
{3} Keep Your Heart Full of Patience
Knock out steps 1 and 2, and you’ve already made major progress on your creativity trek - you’re opening yourself to listen more than you dictate and direct, and you’ve become a true vehicle for self-expression. So, why in the hell do you feel like everything you’ve created is one grade above absolute crap?
Patience, my young Paduan.
I’m preaching patience? Man, I’m so not good at that one.
We all long to be swept away by our own creativity — enraptured by the process. I know I do. And, occasionally we do find ourselves blessed with these divine moments, but most of the time our best work does not come in one fell swoop with a pretty bow to tie everything together.
{4} Save the Drama for Your Mama - Then Use It
Cell phones, email, codependent family members, friends who think you’re Dr. Phil, deadlines, whining children, whining spouses — we have to combat quite a bit of noise in everyday life. Often, you’ll find it way too easy to let yourself be consumed by all the drama.
Instead, let the drama consume the keys as you type, the brush as you paint, the guitar as you compose.
Drama is often our excuse for avoiding creative action. That’s why it’s essential for you to make a conscious commitment: creativity now, drama later.
{5} Broccoli and Rock Stars are Key
Did I throw you for a loop on the title for this one?
This is something that I’ve posted about in the past - Anne Lamott’s concept for rediscovering how to listen to your own intuition and silence your inner critic. By continuing to ignore your broccoli and your rock star, your creativity will be shackled to the wall until you relinquish some control.
{6} Pay Attention to the World Around You
People who live creative lives are often some of the most curious souls you will encounter. They crave knowledge about anything and everything. And, as they collect these bits of input with each day and each new encounter, they gradually build up this eclectic grab bag to draw from in their own creativity.
In Jack Foster’s “How To Get Ideas,” his advice is to buy a notebook, not loose notebook paper, but a ledger that has more of a sense of permanence to it:
Then every day write in it something you’ve seen. Every day. It doesn’t make any difference what you see; only that you see something and record it…When your ledger is full, then sit down and read it. The start filling up another one. And another one. And another one. For the rest of your life.
{7} Have Fun Storming the Castle
Make everyday a fresh, new, exhilarating, crazy-scary, unique, fun adventure. Monotony and predictability stifle creativity. In fact, they are in mutually exclusive categories. If you run from a little randomness in your life, it becomes so difficult embrace creativity.
Attitude is everything. If you’re not having fun, then why are you here?
Oh When It’s Time to Change…
You’ve got to Re-arrange…
Can you hear Peter Brady’s voice-cracking vocal? 
As you can see, I’ve made a few changes to Unobstructed Creativity. And, there will be more to come in the next few days. This is a temporary design for now.
I’m now hosting U.C. on the domain where my business web site will be (working on that one too, www.kristenmccormack.org). And, in doing that, I escaped Google Bloggerville and switched to Word Press power instead. I’m learning as I go here, so please bear with me!
What changes did you make to your blog in its beginning stages? Any advice or cool WordPress knowledge to share?
