halrunkel
“Flowers never emit so sweet and strong a fragrance as before a storm. When a storm approaches thee, be as fragrant as a sweet-smelling flower.” (Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825))
This was written on the morn of Hurricane Gustav. As my wife’s hometown of Houma, La was battered by rising waves and violent wind, I am pleased to report that those in leadership there were as fragrant as the oleander and the magnolia that were surely smelling sweet at that time.
When storms come our way in our circles of influence (and they will if they haven’t already) we should do everything in our power to exude the kind of calm leadership that punctuates the air around us with soothing fragrance.
We must pause and allow our principle to dictate our emotions, rather than the other way around. That is no easy task, but it is a grown-up one that we can achieve. It is one that we must attempt; for if we don’t, we only end up feeding the storm and adding to its destruction.
Peace begins with a pause,
Hal
