St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

October 10, 2007

EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!

A CALL TO SERVICE!

It is said that hard work never kills anyone. I could have never imagined in my old age I would have been so engaged in matters of service to others. Although I sometimes feel stretched to my limit, I still press on. I am approaching the final year to retirement but I still have a problem joining the special line in the banks for pensioners, and purchasing the senior citizen cinema tickets which are intended for persons over 60. Being engaged in the affairs of life, serving others is one sure way of keeping in shape and having a young appearance. I had a pleasant surprise this past week when I joined the pensioners’ line at a popular bank and presented the deposit book which did not belong to me. The young female teller promptly directed me to the line for the public but I stood my ground and asked her what was the reason? She said I was too young to join that line. I then asked her to guess my age which she obliged and said 46. She was very serious and folded her hands until I presented my ID card. I felt like dancing.

I went into that long introduction to ask a serious question. Why is it that most persons first response to an invitation to serve is to give the familiar answer – I am too busy to take on anything else? While at the same time it is said if there is something to be done, give the task to a busy person. It is all about time management. It is about how you set your priorities. I hosted a few businesspersons from Trinidad during the last days in the month of August this year and spent a lot of time with them exchanging views on life and business. The discussions ended at the airport and the youngest person in the group just moments before entering the departure area reached into his briefcase and gave me a book he brought on the trip. The title of the book is “The Power of Focus” How to hit your business, personal and financial targets with absolute certainty. The book is written by three Authors – Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series.

You are busy!!! So what are you doing about it? There are key players in every sphere of life but you must learn to delegate. Either you delegate or you will stagnate. If you are tired of going to cocktail receptions, send your assistant. That is why I insist on naming the Invitee and place alongside – Representative. Edward Harris/Representative. Another situation is the attendance at meetings. If you cannot attend a meeting there should be an alternate. No serious organization should vote persons to their Boards or Committees without naming Alternates, even at the general membership level. Spouses and adult children should become active in each others business.

Associations are suffering because the person who is elected to participate has other important interests or has no interest in the affairs of the Association. Very few persons decline nomination to important organizations. Nothing is wrong with that. You were nominated in the first place because the persons present at the meeting believed you have something to offer. When you are elected, you have a responsibility to deliver on your mandate even if it is to ensure a quorum at meetings. Something must be done and soon, if Associations are going to be relevant. Active numbers in Associations are very important. I have looked around many Associations and find that there is need for a new approach to the structure of membership in general. Membership in Associations must not be seen as an individual privilege but rather as Company / business or community endeavour. In the final analysis the main reason for being a member of an Association is to improve the business or social environment, generally to bring about positive changes.

You are called to serve. In serving, you confirm to your spiritual responsibility and become an Ambassador for change. Giving back is the key to your blessings. The more I give back, the better I feel and the younger I look. Too many retired persons resign to withdrawing themselves from the mainstream of life. To be given the opportunity to retire should be seen as a blessing and an opportunity to do all the things you were too busy to be involved with during your active work life. The youth is reaching out for guidance. Get involved in a mentoring programme. Yes! You can have a second spring, even more enjoyable than the first!

Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Expect Miracles in 2007!

Edward Harris
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Websites: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.stluciarealtors.com

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