Just going to share a quick story. I'm not a leader, I'm definitely a follower. When I have had to lead, I've done the job well enough, be it at projects for work or otherwise. However, I would rather be a good worker bee than the queen so to speak.
That said, I tend not to be confrontational. I've still been wearing my masks despite the mandates in Texas. I went into an Albertsons, wearing my mask. and I saw two older gentlemen in their 50's. Neither of them where wearing their chin diapers, and they both had an air of strength and power, as in do not approach us about fucking masks. It inspired me.
I immediately took mine off. Nobody said anything.
Today, I went to the same Albertsons, this time without my mask completely. Nobody said anything once again. Then another man looked at me while wearing a mask himself as I walked past him.
When I checked out, I saw him again, this time without the mask.
The point is this: there are a lot of folks like me out there who aren't the leaders, or necessarily the ones who will pull the trigger. That is NOT a bad thing. We all can't be leading the charge. However we WANT to do the right thing. It just takes a spark to push people like me to act. If you know you are an alpha leader type, remember that next time you enter a store, and pull off your mask.
There is an old saying about "those who desire leadership are often unfit for the task." Looking at most of those in politics, it certainly rings true.
On the other hand, history has a rich tradition of folk heroes who fought and led because they had to, not because they wanted to. George Washington comes to mind.
Thanks for sharing your leadership story. I feel like we're in Toastmasters. ?
In my experience, true leaders rise to the top through recognition of their fitness by their contemporaries. Those desiring to be leaders, as you noted, are not only often unfit but are often (in my view) driven by ego and a need for self-gratification, as opposed to having a true heart to serve and having the bravery and selflessness to serve at the level required of a true leader.
I'd say the number of ineffective, power-mongering morons who sought and obtained leadership roles in our government is in the 90th percentile. They are easy to spot - as are their polar opposites, who lead by example, who stand for what they believe in and who aptly represent the will of their constituents.
Yes. They've been chosen and allowed to progress because they are inept and corruptible. They only use those too dumb, cowardly, greedy and evil for their middle management, lest they turn on the system and actually do something for the good of the world.
Once people like that get into positions of any power, I truly believe they (at LEAST subconsciously) seek to surround themselves with others who also lack real skill or talent. Less intimidating, and they can all cover each others' asses.
On the bright side, the opposite also occurs when strong leaders get into power.
Damn right. M.y team of 70 all have a mandate to train their replacement. Ive trained 2 people who can do my job. Guess what, when im gone they keep shit going, I sleep well at night.
Awesome. I hope you don't mind if I remember this comment, and try to think about it, when I'm confronted with Life's inevitable managerial disappointments.
EXCELLENT! Now get out in the mountains for a week or two, you! kek
Right. The system is festering with these incompetent nincompoops. Time for a MAJOR flush.
100 percent agree with you. And well said. We should all dream of working in, and for, organizations that value real leadership.
Having quite a bit of experience working both in government and the private sector, I know that this simple premise is often ignored. FAR more, in my experience, in government.
Excuse me, I have to go. Just thinking about some of the examples in government makes me want to rinse my brain. ?
And again, to OP, thanks for sharing. It's several hours after I originally read this and I can tell you for a fact that your story brightened my day considerably.
Careful to make that only a rinse and not a wash -- you'll dry out on the far side! KEK
Thank you fren -- we like-minded are surely establishing the base for what the God-fearing conservative and patriotic right in this country is going to have to stand on. WWG1WGA
I agree those who desire leadership most often arent fit for it. To many people think leading is about power and control and just bossing people around. Good leaders work for there people
Spot on, fren.
Good comment.
It’s important to remember that there is a huge difference between being “a leader” and being “in charge”.
A leader will lead by example. Set the bar by their actions. A good leader will be good at doing a thing, and when they look up, people will be naturally following in their footsteps. A good leader will inspire others to do the same, or to support a course of action.
The beauty of good leadership is that it will inspire others to become good leaders. Others who may have a different flavour, or style of leadership that may appeal to a subset of people who may not connect as much with the original leader.
Someone “in charge” will demand that others around them conform to their demands. They aren’t so much focused on leading people in the direction they believe in, so much as controlling what they do.
You, my fren, are a true born leader. You have been inspired by other good leaders, And together, we will create a decentralized, undefeatable web of leadership. ?
Right back at you with the "Good Comment". Your eloquence is inspirational, and your insight crystal clear.
Thank you as well for the kind words. I'll admit, I am a leader. And I have learned a lot from other leaders, and continue to do so. In fact, this entire thread has taught me a whole lot, and it's been an inspirational delight. ?
WWG1WGA
Thanks for the kind words. WWG1WGA
Reminds me of a perfect anecdote. In my mid-20's, I accepted a co-worker/friend's invitation to go on an Outward Bound expedition to Joshua Tree, with maybe 10 other guys and two female guides. We did a planning exercise while buying groceries on the way, and after stuffing it into our backpacks we were given a topographic map and coordinates of the first checkpoint. In the first few paces, my friend (who I'll call Daryl, on accounta that's his name) began to assert himself as an expert in topography. It is important to note that we were architectural interns, so both of us would be expected to have a decent understanding of topography. Well, not more than 100 yards up the road, Big D started up an arroyo which I knew was a dead-end and not anywhere near deep enough in the canyon we were in to be the proper route.
Daryl scurried up the arroyo, followed closely by a few guys who were buying his schtick. I stopped on the trail, not a doubt in my mind that he would be coming back. Other guys who had hung back (we were complete strangers initially) looked at me quizzically, with at least two sort of steeping toward Daryl's path, looking at me,taking a few steps toward me, listening to Daryl pattering on loudly about being way ahead of us, and then starting up behind him. They wasted a good 15 minutes on that dead end. I waited until I saw them retreating to continue up the canyon, even though Daryl had the map. I had given it a good look and spotted the trail that we needed to follow - for as far as I could see it, anyway. The trail got very steep and rugged, but I reached the top of a plateau first. A second guy popped up as I was sitting to wait for the group, followed shortly thereafter by Daryl.
He strutted past me, now that he was back on the trail, and announced that he was going to advance to the lunch checkpoint and start preparing the meal we had planned. I joined in and when we reached a point where we disagreed on direction, I looked at the map a good long while and then handed it back to Daryl. Once again he took a bum steer that I knew was wrong, and once again I hung back to wait for him. Quite of a few of the other guys -- I'd say 7 or 8 -- were buying into his "look at me, I'm a leader" routine, so they followed his errant lead.
When they came back to where I and others had stopped to wait, I could see that the guys who had followed him were quite pissed off, and the guys who had stayed with me were just disgusted with his posing. Knowing full well which way we needed to go, and tha our destination was only a short distance away, I nevertheless hung back just to see what Daryl would do next. Before he could formulate another bad plan, one of the other guys asked to se the map -- and then handed it to me.
I said "let's go -- we're already late," and about 50 yards up onto a rocky clearing we ran into our guides who were coming form the opposite direction to find us.
If ONLY our government was built in this manner these days -- as it was in the early days of the republic - where one's God-given abilities, their natural leadership qualities and their ability to listen, ponder and then take action were the basis for appointment to leadership. The Daryls of this world are destroying us.
OH -- and the story goes on, but now 35 years later Daryl is still a struggling draftsman, but I've built a national practice and have accomplished a great deal,including state, local and national leadership roles with recognition. We both started with the same tool kit way back then . . .
Lest anyone get me wrong, please understand that I'm not pumping myself up here. I could share much but this isn't the place or the conversation for any of that. Just telling an honest story about how true leadership naturally rises to the top -- if we allow it to.
Thanks for letting me tell this tale -- I had long forgotten about it, frens!
Yet behold, you ARE a leader!
"You got that right -- SHO', got that right!"
Just visited the crash memorial a few weeks back. Didn’t wear a mask.
Right ON, Patriot!
What’s your name, little girl, I say what’s your name!
kekitty kek kek
Dan Bongino likes to bring up the viral video of a guy dancing alone at a concert. People are watching and laughing at him until someone else comes along and starts dancing with the guy. Then more and more people drop what they’re doing to go join in.
His point is the first guy dancing is not as critical as the second guy in building that momentum for other people to hop on board. This train has no brakes.
In retrospect, I recalled just now that (also in an Albertsons store, this one in Western Washington state) I too entered the store masked, maybe 9 months ago, when I saw one and then a second person not wearing a mask. ZIP -- off came mine, never to be worn in that store again. I've had checkers and baggers comment on how they wish they could remove their disguises but are prevented from doing so by corporate (or store) policy. I've also heard from at least two patrons, one who gave me an "atta boy" for standing up, and then a woman who did likewise but then voiced her regret that (as she put it) she's "not brave enough" to remove hers.
I have done likewise in a nearby Safeway, and while nothing was said there was a palpable tension in the air as I've gone through the checkout line. I go to a Vons when in SoCal, and THOSE people are absolutely brainwashed and frightened like cave rats in a spotlight factory. There, I only wear my Halloween costume when it's time to enter the checkout line.
Lastly, I fly by air quite a bit. One I get through TSA "security" check, I remove my mask and don't go into disguise mode again until it's time board. To date, no one has said a word in opposition, and one of the places I fly through is Seattle. I've been told by several TSA folks that they wish they too could remove theirs, but again they are coerced at threat of firing to comply. I have found myself - more so lately than ever - to be the ONLY person within view who is not wearing a disguise.
The more of us who stand against this idiocy, this tyranny, and this glob-leftist programming, the sooner we will revert to sanity and put the mask thing in the rear view mirror.
Don't be fooled -- "they" have NO plans to let up on this control freakism. NONE. WE THE PEOPLE are the only ones who can rail against that snot-nosed egotism and exercise our rights NOT to be programmed or controlled.
WWG1WGA
Thank you for this post, and a great reminder for all of us! We make change happen by working within our own little worlds. What made me smile about your story, is that (1) you're awake, and paying attention and (2) you took action which required courage. Thank you, shipmate!
May strength, confidence, and fortitude rested on a foundation of truth follow you wherever you go.
I spark conversation with people in public that don't wear masks, and I've found them to be very nice people. I've had an older couple, wearing very thin masks applaud me and my fiance for not wearing the masks. That turned into a interesting conversation, which to summarize, "Thank you for being young patriots standing against this bullshit."
I've done that as well-- a father and his late-teens son were open and interested to know from whence my boldness arose. I was happy to share truths with them. They were still wearing their costumes when we parted, but I consider that to have been a couple of seeds planted.
Way to go! Love your story, and I applaud you for taking the risk.
I’m doing the same in Commiefornia. Over the past few weeks, although I’m still the only one unmasked in stores, I’ve found that I’m not being bothered or questioned by managers anymore. Only had one Karen incident last week, who went to the manager, who then came and checked me out with no comments on masking, very friendly.
Never once has anyone ever said anything to me about not wearing a mask. I typically even ask for help and they still don’t. This morning at a Kroger a young lady came up to me and thanked me for not wearing one. I said we are giving people confidence aren’t we? She agreed.
Right ON, sister : )
Today, for the first time, a woman ranted at me because I wasn't wearing a mask in the supermarket. "I'm at risk" she screamed at me. "I could die because of my COPD and your uncaring attitude." I hadn't recognised her because her face was completely covered in a cloth mask apart from the eyes. But, when she shouted, I recognised her as an acquaintance, whom I haven't seen in ages.
I started to explain that a mask didn't provide any protection and she was merely giving herself a false sense of security and increased risk of pneumonia. But she simply screamed "GET OUT!" repeatedly. So I jumped ahead of her, paid the cashier and left.
Trying to discuss things logically in a situation like this simply "fans the flames" so it's not even worth bothering.
If she'd done even a modicum of research, she'd had discovered that people with COPD and similar should never wear a mask because it restricts breathing AND you are breathing in germs that your lungs just got rid of (and probably bacteria from your fingers). Not only that but the virus gets in via your eyes, anyway. (Observe any mask-wearer - how often they touch the mask and their eyes.)
But it's the Darwin syndrome: stupid people will die by their own hands.
My new reply is ‘don’t be angry with me because you have been lied to’
Should have shouted "NO I won't fuck you ever again no matter what you promise."
KEK
Kek. Ask her then why she would not stay home but risk her life for (looks in cart) a bag of potato chips.
Nothing is wrong with being a follower. As long as your eventually taking your experience and passing it on. Like you just did. See this post was you being a follower that became a leader. Your are leading others to open up and unite together. Keep it up.
Thank you for sharing. Great story.?
Well said! Something snapped in me and I've completely stopped using masks for a week. No one has said anything in BestBuy, Ikea, Publix, the pharmacy and tons of other stores. I'm free, you're free if we only allow it. We can be peaceful warriors with love and peace in our hearts and go about our daily routine without those awful mask.
I am,and I have been doing that since the beginning!
God bless you for exercising your freedom and standing boldly against a largely brainwashed society. I read yesterday that documents have been leaked which show the Cabal's plans for a c-virus 20 and 21. It will take a multitude of us free-thinkers to stand against the control freaks' power grab, and refuse to comply with their nonsensical and ineffective edicts.
Again I say, God bless you sister!
I'm also in TX although I live in one of the most liberal counties. Even without the mandate people are still wearing these damn masks everywhere. I typically approach an establishment with my mask in hand. If there is no sign, I enter without it. If there is a sign, I'll probably put it on but only cover my mouth. Slowly I've grown more and more tired of this BS and have been trying to avoid wearing it when at all possible. This crap will never go away if we don't start refusing it.
You sound like you're right on the cusp.
Just "forget" to wear the mask next time. It legitimately happened to my wife (she can't "Fight the Power" intentionally due to her career - I always go maskless for her) at ALDI because she was wrangling the toddler. By the time she realized it, she was halfway done shopping and left it off th rest of the time. She was beeming when she got home. Lol.
In my experience, you'll RARELY get questioned. I bet you get through it scott free, and when you leave the store you'll be thinking "Why was I afraid to do that? It was so easy!"
WWG1WGA
I've never worn a mask. I'm almost 80. When I go into stores sometimes they get on me a bit but I tell them to go fly a kite - sometimes loudly. In Walmart, shopping for groceries, people sometimes look at me over their masks and I can tell there is some hint of something in their eyes - sometimes resentment sometimes honor. Now more people are without masks (in Missouri which never had a state mask mandate) and the masked folks are starting to look evasive or apologetic.
I hope this whole asymptomatic transmission idocy, which is so very obviously only for the purpose of frightening the masses into cowardly siubmission to tyranny, finally becomes a worldwide lesson in discrimination and the courage to act on the fruits of discrimination.
Those who see truth but cannot find the courage to act on what they see are a big part of the problem. Truth to power isn't easy but the alternative is slavery.
While OP poses as sympathetic the work of finding the courage to act on the truths we know in our hearts needs to be done by all of us.
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing. It's an honor to hear the wisdom of elders on the forum. Young, old, and in between, we're all in this together!
P.s. if I saw you loudly telling someone to Go Fly a Kite, I would literally be cheering you on. Nothing pleases me more than yelling at idiots. I admit, it's a weakness of mine to take joy in it. ?
Great story! The bullshit ends when the majority quit playing along. Been Alpha with the mask BS since day 1. A few months back I realized how important the mask fight is. Playing along and knowing better is worse than believing the lie and wearing one. At that moment I made the decision I would take ANY mask confrontation to forcing the business to call the police and have me removed. Guess how many times the police showed up and I didn't finish shopping? ZERO. Be brave and patriotic, take off the commie stamp!
I’m not an alpha leader type, people frighten me.
I don’t wear the mask and I’m always nervous someone will say something. Hasn’t happened yet but dismissal and ignoring will be my strategy.
Those who actually dont want to lead others are some of the best leaders i know. I would love to just follow myself to be honest, but at a certain point in a career, you take on so much responsibility you have to take a chance and make a call.
Sometimes, probably more often than not to start with, it will be the wrong choice. Once you learn what the right choices are, it gets so much easier, but most people learn better by the scientific method to find a fix than anything "tried x, didnt work, tried 2x, didnt work, tried y, didnt work, tried 2y, BINGO!"
"You have mote than you know" means more than most realise.
I was maskless while grocery shopping one day and a woman walked by, looked at me, then ripped hers off and said “oh, thank God, I didn’t want to be the only one!”. So yes, what you are saying is true. I have had a number of experiences like this. It helps to be confident and look back at people who look at you, directly, until they look away. Make them feel uncomfortable about wearing it. People have become too comfortable with it. We need to make them feel like outcasts for wearing them.
Still waiting for someone to join my maskless existence here in Korea. Almost had one of my friends doing the same thing, pulled down his mask till it sat under his chin. He folded as soon as he got a dirty look. Bear in mind we were outside!
Thanks for sharing your story and making a difference!
Leadership comes in many forms and I can hear this statement that Trump would say to you on your thoughts of not being a leader, "that's absolutely not right and you need to do thinking that way. You ARE leader and you have a lot going on for you."
The GA community pointed me to this video about leadership:
https://youtu.be/hO8MwBZl-Vc
Thanks for posting this. I’m grateful for people like you. It took a lot of courage doing what you did. Believe it or not, there are quite a few people who have great difficulty seeing people wearing masks. For some, just going to the store causes a lot of anxiety and then not being able to see expressions or smiles-makes it almost torture. And children deserve to see smiling, normal faces. So I guarantee, sooner or later you’re going to impact a person in a way that is far greater than you can imagine. Thank you again.
I can't stand seeing people wearing masks. I almost have a visceral reaction to them and have to turn away. I hardly ever leave the house, obviously. Just to add... a simple look at my search history would reveal I am not someone with a weak stomach or who is afraid to look at crazy and disgusting things.
The mask thing is just..... grotesque, is the word I use. So yes, you are right. I hate seeings masks as much or more as most of these Karens hate seeing a face.
Thanks for sharing. It is always reassuring to see another face not complying with the nonsense. I tend to be non-confrontational as well so when I was berated by another customer in Walmart over me not wearing a mask, I just walked away without saying anything. Oops.
A very wise Man once said " the greatest servant is the greatest leader" think of yourself as a servant, serve and voila...your 're leading.
Thanks for this post. Much appreciated! I live in a small town in Texas, and we were intimidated for the first few weeks of the whole "Covid Gonna Kill Us All" fad. Once we finally realized it was a hoax, and the mask was just a political gimmick, we stopped participating in the covid worship. Most of the people in my little town played by the rules for about a month or so, and then realized we were being hoodwinked, and we just go on about our business. There are signs all over the place saying masks required, but nobody cares. We just live our lives. A few still wear them, and on the weekends, when the tourists come through, they wear their masks into the little shops downtown and then breath a sigh of relief when they realize we dont require them here. We seem to have more tourism these days because the big city folk like to breathe freely too.
The 2nd guy...will always be the most important for the start of a movement. Well done!
Woah. Didn't realize the love this got or the sticky. Keep fighting the good fight frens. :)