Adrian Savage of our Ho‘ohana Community has written an article for his new Slow Leadership blog today which I must call your attention to, particularly with our November Ho‘ohana focus on Mahalo; We give Thanks. His article is about his 8th principle of Slow Leadership, Right Gratitude.
An excerpt:
How much of what you are today is due solely to your own efforts? Not your birth, not your clothes, not your food, not your education, or even your ability to speak and write and read your native language. People taught you how to do your job. Others helped you win promotion and made your income and standard of living possible. Still others made the car you drive and the house you live in. Are you "self-made?" Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not possible.
I encourage you to read the rest of Adrian’s article at Slow Leadership.
I completely agree with Adrian, for the value of Mahalo is all about living in thankfulness, understanding that it has taken so much to make you who you are, and that “much,” that richness in your life should be acknowledged, appreciated, and celebrated. Further, it should be copied in a way, in that you give to others and help enrich their lives too:
You give of yourself,
using all the gifts that you have been given.
Like Adrian, the concept of being “self-made” is one I have delighted in taking apart on many occasions because it begs qualification, particularly in my own coaching with managers on the right point of view we must have with the calling of leadership. Another value that most immediately comes to mind with this is of Ha‘aha‘a, the value of humility. We become more humble, and thus more appreciative, in our own attitude about so many things when we understand that it does indeed “take a village” when it comes to our own personal growth and development — and the growth and development of our leadership ideas. Leaders rarely, if ever, pull off their grand schemes and dreams alone. In managing with aloha, when we seize responsibility for leadership, we assume responsibility for that entire village, and thus the value of ‘ohana, family and community.
It is all so connected. It would be so easy for me to continue this with paragraphs more on how all the values of Managing with Aloha can apply here. Why? Because gratitude IS right.
Mahalo is living in thankfulness. Live in your thankfulness for everyone who has conspired and collaborated to help you become the person you are.
Practice mahalo knowingly and with increased awareness.
Acknowledge everyone else who has made you who you are.
Give thanks for all who create this world as one you can make a difference in.
Appreciate everyone who enables the possibility that your own life has such incredible potential for meaning.
Say thank you to those who enthusiastically give you that opportunity to do so.
Demonstrating your gratitude is the right thing to do. It will help you feel right. It will help you get to Pono.
Our Ho‘ohana posts this month have been:
Mahalo; We give thanks. Our November Ho‘ohana.
A Mahalo 3by3: Appreciation, Gratitude, Thankfulness.
Write Your Joy. Writing thank you notes.
Be Grateful, and Be Happy. About the practice of keeping a Gratitude Journal.