Give thanks.

This is the time of the year when we intentionally take time to acknowledge the many “things” we have, or perhaps more appropriately, the “gifts” entrusted to us. In taking the quick thanksgiving inventory our minds quickly go toward our family, friends and associates who are important to us. I often say to co-workers family comes first, and it does. I’m speaking here of our biological families, but I want us to extend that definition to include our broader sphere of influence, including everyone we encounter in our daily routines. Relatively speaking, it’s those with whom we contact daily that become part of our extended family, somewhat by default. It’s not difficult to feel close or connect to individuals especially in these times when the world is revealed and filtered through the vast forms of available media.

I’m enormously grateful for our students and my talented teammates who are committed to serve, each in her or his important way. We are truly blessed and humbled by the advantage we have as citizens in a free country. We have many to thank for this true blessing.

Let’s permit this season and the mindset of thanksgiving to guide our thoughts and actions in the days, weeks and months ahead. I’m convinced, it’s the attitude of gratitude that will provide the incentive to influence and ignite change. It is so true. Gratitude changes attitude.

Develop a thankful heart. Tell people you appreciate them, and develop the benevolent attitude that reflects kindness through specific acts. Do it often, in other words, extend the Thanksgiving season so that every day becomes a day of reflective and interactive gratitude. What you might discover is the thankful heart becomes the basis for a new leadership platform that reaches back to the important values we all extol and extends the family metaphor to new networks of acquaintances who manifest as true friends. What I see emerging is a broader level of leadership, one the literature terms inclusive leadership where we value the contributions of an extended family with respect and honest appreciation. The family value of feeling safe and trusted should allow an individual to move more rapidly toward fulfilling organizational objectives with a given level of confidence. The results will be extraordinary. Try it.

There are infinite reasons to be thankful each day. Give thanks. It’s a perfect fit gift, now more than ever.

Why study Latin?

Now there’s an academic debate for the ages. How many of us studied Latin? How many of us HAD TO study Latin? How many students today study Latin? What would it be like if students studied Latin? Research has shown that secondary students who study Latin score higher on their SAT’s. Specifically, Latin improved English comprehension scores and it was shown to sharpen language skills in general.

Let’s have fun with this, and let me suggest that we are somewhat familiar with Latin by our common use of phrases, abbreviations and mottos. Law and medicine are full of Latin phrases, expression and abbreviations. Here are some abbreviations you probably know.

A.D. (anno domini) – in the year of the Lord
A.M. (ante meridiem) – before midday
Etc. (et cetera) – and the rest, and so forth
Lb. (libra) – pound
Rx (recipe) – take

Here are several common Latin phrases:

In absentia – in one’s absence
Semper fidelis – always faithful
Mea culpa – through my fault
Summa cum laude – with highest honor
E plaribus unum – out of many, one.
Carpe Diem – seize the day

Latin phrases or mottos are often used as a guiding principle of a particular group or organization. They are commonly used by academic institutions. Consider these.

Mens et manus – Mind and hand (M.I.T.)
Magnus est veritas – Great is the truth (U. of Miami)
Veritas et virtus – Truth and Virtue (U. of Pittsburgh)
Ut Prosim – That I may serve (Virginia Tech)

(I’m particularly fond of one of these from my
“alma mater” – kind mother)

I believe each motto coveys an element of prestige, an element of scholarly awareness. I find them interesting. Why do we use Latin phrases? Should we just say what we mean?
Why don’t we have a Latin motto for TCL?

Latin takes a slogan or motto and transforms it to make it sound important or meaningful. It’s not really catchy, but rather classy. Is there a prestige value in a slogan if it is stated in Latin?

TCL’s slogan (not moto) is The wave of the future. We don’t use a Latin translation. Should we?

The power or force of a wave and the cleansing opportunities it holds for our future. Perhaps we don’t need a Latin phrase. Or do we?

Culture and language are important. Over time, Latin remained unchanged. It is the root language. Perhaps that is why we need to study it, appreciate it, and marvel in its values.

If you care to explore this topic further, consider this link:
http://www.yuni.com/library/latin.html

P.S. (post scriptum) – written after. Ipsa scientia potestas est. Check it out.

(To TCL’s Presidential Ambassadors, thanks for letting me know you read my blog. Excelsior.)

TCL