Walk With Me...
Walk with me.... I would like to take you on a mental excursion.
Take a journey with me- if you will- to a time when the trees are bare and the temperatures low. A time when the cool wind blows and yet the warmth of Holiday cheer negates the whispering chill. A time when people slow down and enjoy the finer things in life; people, relationships and the spirit of gratefulness. A time when we reflect on what is really important, and how much we truly have to be excited about and thankful for. Do you have the time to take this journey with me?
I am sure that most people have seen the movie, A Christmas Carol. We all watched as Ebenezer Scrooge was given the gift of introspection. This bitter gift was not taken freely, it was forced upon him by his ghostly guides along a journey of discovery. This journey forever changes his life. When he realizes that his current path will bring more pain, bitterness and more loneliness, he changes. Does this sound similar to anything else you might have experienced?...?
I still watch with tears building, as I see this bitter man- this dead man, come to life before my eyes. What a difference the "Mr. Scrooge", at the end of the movie, will make with his new Focus, Passion and Commitment to make things better. Ebenezer finally will work to become the "Ebenezer Scrooge" that he could have been. What powerful, new Teams Mr. Scrooge will build- new Visions he will have. He is on fire with his new found 'Purpose'. What a difference he will make! Some of you might be saying, "That's just Hollywood, something like that couldn't possibly happen in real life? Or could it?...
We are not watching television or reading a book when we experience these transformations, we are building an organization that is working to make a positive difference in this world.
At Empower U we are blessed with the opportunity to see this same thing happen on a regular basis. We are not watching television or reading a book when we experience these transformations, we are building an organization that is working to make a positive difference in this world. We do this one person at a time, starting with ourselves. When I say "WE", I mean all of our graduates, employees and associates of Empower U.
As our graduates look at our schedule and see all the great things that Empower U is doing, I often get compliments on our company and the growth and the impact that we are having in this world. I am humbled by such comments. I have a tough time saying thank you, for I feel the compliment is misdirected. At Empower U, we believe that even though our training is the best in the world, it means nothing if nobody is sitting in class to experience the event. "If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it, did it make a noise?"... In other words, nobody gets to play trainer if there are no students in the horseshoe. The success of Empower U is directly linked to the people that we are associated with. It is Empower U that should be saying Thank you!. Thank you for all that so many have given to the 'Cause'... Thank you for the commitments that people have made... Thank you for the Loyalty of team members, family and dear friends... Thank you for the trust and support from so many people.
Since I do not believe in 'should’n' all over myself, Empower U will take this special opportunity to thank some very special people. If your name is not specifically mentioned in this article, it is not for lack of appreciation, but lack of space. We will never have enough time and words to thank all those that have made an impact through our training.
At Empower U we work to Live what we facilitate in our training. So, in keeping with that commitment, I would like to share with you 5+ Things that I am grateful for:
Every single person that we have come in contact with, at Empower U, has helped to move us in the direction of being the Organization and the Individuals that 'We could have been.'
God
In this time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, I would like to thank God, first and foremost, for giving us the opportunity to do what we do. Someone once told me that God blesses us by putting the people in our lives, in our lives. So, I would also like to thank God for the incredible gifts he has given me through my Family, Friends, Team and our outstanding Graduates. Every single person that we have come in contact with, at Empower U, has helped to move us in the direction of being the Organization and the Individuals that "We could have been".
My Family
My wife Kim - she puts up with me and Mr. Black. She has always been there standing by my side. I am grateful for her support and belief in me. It sure doesn't hurt that she has a tolerance for imperfection, either! The apple of my eye, Faith and my son Christian are two gifts that will never be fully repaid. My children have taught me so much and I am grateful for the special gift of my children.
The Team at Empower U!
What an incredible blessing. Erica Millick, Empower U's first person that will be developed as a Master Trainer. Her commitment and dedication humbles me. "Whatever it Takes", these are words she lives by. She has been willing to be my 'sidekick' for a period of time and her dedication and focus to Empower U should make us all grateful.
Kymberlee Simantel, our resident High 'I'. Kymberlee stepped over the line and has been living outside of her comfort zone while taking this journey. She is developing into a fine Admissions Director and her belief in people and what we are doing is evident through her actions.
Ken Sheppard, our Colorado team member. This team member and friend has taught me much about people, tolerance, acceptance, and varying strengths of different people. His wisdom and insight are invaluable. I am grateful for the lessons I learn from him.
Keith and Michelle Hebert have been important players in our success. Sometimes those people behind the scenes are more responsible for the success than those in front. This is true here. We are a better company today because of these two individuals.
To our newest team members Joel Gardner, Gina Stutchman, Eric Montoya, Deena Baxley, and Brian Fredericks, to you I am grateful for stepping over the line. For believing enough in our shared vision that you would be willing to take this journey with us.
Grant and Shirley Nicholson and The Team at Auto Diesel Electric. We found a living example of just what our training can do when implemented company wide in a culture. Without their support and assistance, Empower U would not be doing our trainings in Chicago and Toronto. They are such special people and we will forever be indebted to them for their support. It is always a great day at Auto Diesel Electric.
John Mc Coy and the staff at the Holiday Inn. David Joseph, David Huber, Rondele and the team at the Holiday Inn have been incredible. We could not ask for a more convenient, hospitable and service oriented hotel. Not only do they serve our graduates on a weekly basis, they attend our training and make a difference. They have also been instrumental in getting our HBS Fernley Ranch ready to occupy for our Leadership Awakening classes. They are not only clients, they are friends.
I am grateful for the others that have been instrumental in our success.... John and Teresa Wardrobe and the team at LJ Construction have been incredible in the remodeling of our Fernley retreat center. Their dedication and support are irreplaceable. The Schotts: Garry, Wray, and Debbie have helped us create an incredible oasis outside of San Diego. Our Extreme Leadership and Leadership Adventure students have an incredible experience, through their hard work and support. Working with Lee Mattar, all 4 have made a huge impact on our graduates. Len Savage and the team at Savage and Sons Plumbing are the best landlords a business could ask for. Ricky Reviglio and the team at Western Nevada Supply have been great friends of Empower U and Kim and Scott V. Black. Norm Dianda, John Breternitz, Sheila Muhtadi, Lee Ruff and the rest of the wonderful people at Q & D construction. To the Klaich family, I am honored by their friendship. Lonnie, Laura, Patrice and Mike are great friends and great mentors of life. Even our vendors have been wonderful and supportive. As we expand we too make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. It is truly an honor to work with such people and such companies.
Our Graduates
Without your support and belief in making a difference, we wouldn't be anything. It is your commitment to excellence that makes your friends, family and co-workers sign up for our classes. You are the fuel that makes us go. Our success is directly linked to your success. I speak on behalf of the staff here at Empower U, we are grateful for your willingness to trust us with your family members, your friends and most importantly your lives. For this we are truly grateful.
Remember that life sometimes imitates art. Mr. Scrooge had a second chance, he made some incredible changes. He had the gift of introspection slapped into his reality, and it changed reality. Next time you watch "A Christmas Carol", really notice where the change takes place in old Ebenezer. The ghost that forever changed his life was the ghost of Christmas future. He saw his own funeral, he saw the end. In our training on Saturday afternoon, we too give our students the gift of introspection. And we finish that segment of our training with something we call the Dash of Your Life....
I know of a man who chose to speak at a gathering of family and friends... He spoke of a friend no longer here... not long ago, had been.
In a box at the front of the room... there his friend does rest—his final bed. Tears flowing... speaking words of wisdom... this is what he said!
There is the date of our birth and the day that we die— In the 'space between' our 'Dash of Life' does lie.
The way that we live on this earth—this becomes our Dash... When you live life like it matters, it matters not... the cars, the house... the cash.
Think about that... Are there things you 'd like to change— The 'Time is Now', you could be at the end, OR mid-dash range!
You can't control the length of your dash—this is for God to divine... The width... intensity... This is yours, No butt prints in the sands of Time!
What will you do today... Every day's like a ticking clock. How did you spend your time...before your time in the box?
When your Eulogy is written... life's actions re-hashed Its ok to be proud of the things they say—'bout how you spent your dash'
As we go into the new Millennium, my goal is to make my dash bigger and brighter, to make it matter that I was here. The end of our mission statement says,
...The world will be a better place tomorrow, because Empower U was here today.
Thank you for letting us live our Mission. 2000 will be a better year, because all of you were here today. I am grateful for having known all of you!
Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday, Happy Hanukkah, a Happy Kwanzaa, whatever your belief or passion...Make sure you have a Happy New Year!
Remember...Lead with Passion-Heart, Body and Soul
With Holiday Passion-HBS
Scott V. Black
The Empower U Leadership Team
December 1999
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