This night now winning
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Blog
The glory of special snowflakes
I’ve heard the idea that “we’re all special snowflakes” used derisively. I take issue with that, yet also get the concern.
Acknowledging uniqueness often gets mistaken for privilege. That we’re supposed to bend rules, expect exceptions. Because of our wonderful uniqueness. I see something quite different.
EVERYONE is unique and wonderful made. There’s no privilege to our exceptional gifts and talents. Yet there is joy in finding that way of contributing. By becoming the best we can be, we make the world around us better. Maybe not transforming the earth, all of humanity, maybe just a small, local piece.
In this world of social commoditization, where mediocrity is the safe place, pushing ourselves, and everyone nearby, towards joyously maximizing their unique giftedness, with a humble, thankful heart, is powerful. It’s what will save our rage filled, egocentric society from itself.
My theme song for the week
Pretty trippy and weird. Which fits my mood of late. Plus, well, it really is nice weather for ducks.
A thought for your Monday
Just some positive energy for your Monday morning.
Seattle’s Wind Storm
The wind is singing
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My Storify of the #WAWind Storm
Autumn 2016’s First Storm Of The Season
https://storify.com/carlsetzer/washington-windstorm-october-2016
Our First Autumn Storm : PNW Weather
Up in Lynnwood and Marysville, where I live and work respectively, we’ve had a few significant wind gusts and some heavy rain, but nothing too dramatic. So, I’m fine and so’s the rest of my family. However, below are a few things to show the progress of the storm throughout the region. 
- Here’s a better report of what’s going on: Record rain, 100 mph gusts calm down Friday before second storm
- A little over 200 miles to the south, though, we’ve had the most dramatic event so far. Manzaita, OR got hit with a tornado. Pretty dramatic footage out there.
- And here’s the Weather Channel’s look
- I’ve created a Storify for this. I’ll keep it updated as things progress.
- A friend of mine created this storm preparedness guideline. Good advice here
Storm clouds approaching
Storm clouds coalescing
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Inspirational, Aspirational & Grounded
Ah, meetings! This evening’s have me some ideas about leadership.
We’re tasked with coming up with a plan to implement a new vision, which is in process. It’s an awkward place to find oneself. Trying to continue forward motion while leaving room for the input of others. I guess we’re in that proverbial “build the plane while flying it” place.
In this place, while considering such things as agile methodologies and such things, I was struck about a key element of leadership. Keeping disparate mindsets working together. Especially when they strongly disagree. Then I came up with the line in the subject: inspirational, aspirational and grounded.
Inspirational: having a focus on something bigger, moving towards something greater than the sum. And the ensuing excitement. Creating and sustaining that energy.
Aspirational: doing something new, stretching, growing, moving towards greatness.
Grounded: that feeling that this is something that can really be done. Non-vaporware.
These elements are critical for creating and sustaining projects. The function of leadership, in my not so humble opinion. Navigating thorough the wilderness, creating the new and wonderful. That’s what delights me. And, so, these need to be parts of my life.
An evening haiku
Night is falling fast
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