Author Archives: gyoung

Change is Cheesy

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There is a great book about change and how change can create fear in our lives. It seems appropriate to revisit since change is constant and will always be with us on earth.  Who Moved my Cheese? An A-Mazing Way to Deal With Change in your Work and In Your Life, written by Spencer Johnson, M.D., is an allegory about two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two people named Hem and Haw. The characters in this book deal with a serious problem: the of lack cheese, which is a symbol of livelihood.  In this blog I would like to focus on the character Haw “who learns to adapt in times when he sees changing can lead to something better” (1998, p.11).

One of the truisms discovered by Haw is “when you stop being afraid, you feel good” (1998 p.55). Fear can be paralyzing and counterproductive in our lives. It comes in many forms that are both healthy and not healthy: fear of things which keep us from danger and overcoming fears which can lead to freedom and new beginnings.  President Franklin Roosevelt’s famous saying the only thing we have to fear is fear itself that fear in the face of change only makes things worse.

When Moses revisited the law in Deuteronomy to the people of Israel they were on the precipice of change that would lead them to into their promised city. Fear was very present and he spoke saying. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (31:6).

I want to challenge you that when change happens and actions are needed, assess your fear factors, prioritize, show respect to the fears that could lead to harm, and sacrifice the ones that keep you from moving forward in your quest for CHEESE!

 

Johnson, S. (1998). Who moved my cheese? Abbotsford, British Columbia: The Braille Superstore.

 

Servant Leadership

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Servant leadership and Christian ideology go hand in hand. I would like to pose two questions you can ask yourself to help test if you are leading in an area fundamental to our faith.

When faced with a dilemma in your workplace or classroom, do you find yourself saying that is not my problem he/she can handle this or do you communicate with others on how you can help in solving this issue? A servant leader desires to work with others for resolution.

Can you say to yourself after a certain time period in your life that you’ve grown, become more independent, and feel a sense of peace afterward Servant leaders gain true peace by understanding that Christ served them first and they want to lead by this example and therefore gain independence and peace.

Being a servant leader means jumping in and being willing to help in all circumstances without thought of self-promotion or gratification.  These will occur organically but fall short when intentions are insincere. Servant leaders are humble in their quest for knowledge, which leads to growth, independence, and freedom.