The heart that loves is always young

I would add . . . and the heart that loves is true leadership. Grandmothers have an abundance of both.

Marie’s daily quote often inspires my writing. Today is it about love, leadership, and grandmothers as I anticipate spring when our sixth grandchild is due to sprout in our family Leadership Garden.

To express it best, I’ll share a passage from Part Two from my fable series on leadership for kids and adults. Hugh, the lost sheep and Annabelle, his Border collie guide, are talking for a few moments among the rose bushes before they head on the U.N.I.Q.U.E. (Understanding, Nurturing, Inventive, Quality, Unstoppable, Expression) Tour:

"The smell of roses. You were hiding in rose bushes." "There are so many. Do they have purpose and meaning too?" he asked.

"Of course, roses are a symbol of love." "What does love have to do with leadership?" "Aristotle and Leda planted this rose garden as a symbol of their love for each other and humanity. A leader can't thrive without love," said Annabelle.

"I was surprised when Leda told me that leadership was about how I guide and direct my life. I always thought it was about leading others to gain power and make things happen."

"Unfortunately, that's what many leaders think," said Annabelle. "Leda and Aristotle wanted to create a world that thrives with unique leadership expression and love is in the heart of all leaders. Power without love is force, and that's not leadership – that's control." "If love is in my heart, is that where my leader comes from?" he asked.

"Not entirely. But love is what binds us together."

Looking back at this passage, it describes perfectly the role a grandmother plays in the development of a grandchild’s leadership.

When my children were young, I was responsible to love them, teach them, and empower them . . . but I admit - at times I crossed the line to trying to control their behavior.

As a grandmother, I have learned to flow with the life of my grandchildren. I am mindful to set boundaries for their behavior to ensure they do not harm themselves, but the need to control them or anyone else these days is almost nonexistent.

To empower means to endow with ability. Control means to exercise restraint over, dominate, regulate, or command.

A leader in charge of any household is responsible to set the boundaries and enforce the rules. They are essential for working, learning, growing, and living together. But the emphasis should be on empowering each individual to have restraint and dominion over their own behavior. When empowering love is the central theme regardless of who is in charge - there is no need to control or dominate anyone.

It truly is love in my heart that make me feel youthful while I empower and nurture the tender “little leader” inside my grandchildren.

So next time you feel the need to control another . . . choose love instead, create your day, and give someone a hug. It is an inexpensive face-lift.