To Lead

Running today, same descending count in my head. 99 to 1. 99 to 1. 99 to 1. Clears away the crap so that I can get to where I need to be, which may be nowhere at all. Occasionally I'll have a song stuck in my brain, too. Usually something I've been playing in the car, but there is always my count. Every other step is paced by my counting. I was in Hermann Park one day when a group of about 10 runners passed me. I think it was a YMCA bootcamp or something like that. They were verbalizing their pace at the direction of a tough woman who sounded for all the world like a drill sergeant. They counted in ascending order.

At about mile 2, I looked up and saw a flock of geese. It's only mid July, so I'm not sure if they're just moving from pond to pond, or if they start early here to move North. I like to call myself a Texan, but I haven't got it all down just yet. They were flying in V-formation. So few of them, only about 12, but they were lined up and following the leader.

I talked to my boss recently. I needed his leadership. I had to ask him for the time, but it was important. Just for a few minutes, just to check in.

My favorite cardiokickboxing instructor is a shining example of packaged energy. But she was tired Monday night. She admitted that she taught class at 8:30 that morning and it had been a long day. She warned us ahead of time, that she might be instructing more than participating. About halfway through class, I heard her say, "I think I'll just let Michelle teach this part!" What??? Good thing I knew the combination.

I walked into an exam room yesterday and was met by an elderly patient and many family members. I commented that he had brought the home team with him. It's a light hearted comment I sometimes make to break the tension at a first visit. The patient's son immediately responded by telling me that they were there to take care of the "coach". I realized that not only had they assembled for their leader, they had also circled their wagons. They were attempting to protect that which was most precious to them. Not only was the man, the leader, at risk...so was their family.

This thing called leadership, this desire of humans (and animals) to lead and to be led, is fascinating to me. It can be so very basic, and yet so very complex as to involve yearning. But are not yearning for and yes...even the love of the leader also not among the most basic of all instincts?