Try something new

Be daring,
be different,
be impractical,
be anything that will assert
integrity of purpose and
imaginative vision
against the play-it-safers,
the creatures of the commonplace,
the slaves of the ordinary.
-Sir Cecil Beaton

Between my 1st and 2nd year of college I attend my first NACURH Conference in Oshkosh, WI, an organization that in a large way would come to define my college career and my views on leadership. Paul Wesselmann, who founded the Ripples Project, spoke about the huge impact of small actions. He sends out a weekly inspirational e-mail with some short quotes and brief stories the pushes you to think about the ordinary in a new way. For the next 3 years I largely deleted these e-mails without opening then, I thought they weren't that important to my daily life, I had more important things to read. Yet, I never unsubscribe and I'm glad that's the case.


I recently started reading them again and am learning they apply more and more to my everyday work and involvement in AmeriCorps and my post-college night. If nothing else they make me think and I suggest you subscribe it's a quick read and a good pick me up on Monday. 


"Your unique and fabulous creative talent is desperately needed.  The people around you, indeed the people of the world are counting on you to step up and deliver magnificence.  If you're shirking in the shadows, afraid that someone will judge you or ridicule you or shame you, let me address that fear:  someone indeed might judge, ridicule, and/or shame you.  AND I'm quite sure there is someone who may just as loudly encourage you, applaud you, and yes, even celebrate you." 


If this isn't motivation to get out and make a difference or do something different, I don't know what is. It certainly inspired and motivated me through my Monday and lead to a fairly productive day and powered me through my Tuesday. Carry this through the week with you and hopefully help to propel you into a year of changing the world that will allow you to "deliver magnificence."