Glitter and Shine

"Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air? Have you ever looked fear in the face and said I just don't care?" ~

P!nk - Glitter in the Air - Funhouse CD

For a leader to take the opportunity to throw a fistful of glitter in the air takes courage and a great amount of inner-strength. It requires igniting the phoenix that lives within long before the possibility of the wings being torn off the butterfly.

Taking risks is part of being a leader whether we like it or not. Sometimes, regardless of popularity status, we have to throw caution to the wind and see what happens. Leaders who find themselves holding onto a fistful of glitter hesitate for just a moment before the toss. The moment of second guessing and self-doubt.

The glitter toss from a leader is an opportunity for those under the fallout to share in the idea; each catching their own piece of glitter and capitalizing on it. This is the moment when those who are destined to rise to leadership roles must act. It is their moment to shine; to become one with their piece of glitter. Although, they may only hold one or two pieces of glitter, they must share in the original vision of the toss.

True leadership isn't just about being the person on top or the one in charge. It's about putting yourself out there. Taking chances and capitalizing on opportunities when they present themselves. You can't hold onto the glitter too long or the moment will pass and the chance for success lost.

"Shine I'll stand by you; Don't try to push me away 'cause I'm just gonna stay; You can shine, I won't deny you; And don't be afraid, it'll all be ok." ~ Cyndi Lauper - Shine CD

The true test of leadership is standing by your team and behind your team; as a group and individually. It is a lot easier said than done. After all, it is your glitter that was thrown into the air. It is difficult sometimes to stand back and let the team shine with their collective pieces of glitter and all you have left is an empty palm with a few residule pieces of glitter left behind to indicate the source of the glory.

The second a leader eclipses the team when the glory time comes, the team morale tanks to unfathomable depths of distrust and disappointment. A true leader never, ever eclipses the team. As the old saying goes: 'There is no *I* in team.' The whole point in throwing a fistful of glitter in the air in the first place was to share in the idea, the work AND the glory.

Leadership is all about glitter and shine. A leader needs to be strong enough to not only toss the glitter, but to allow others to shine; as a team and as individuals.

Butterfly Debbie

As I was packing my suitcase to travel the 310 miles back to Fargo from my mother's home, I threw in the books my mother had given me to read. That's how I get most of my books; people give them to me. I didn't give the books a second thought as they were by an author I hadn't read before. Albeit she is one of the most popular and well-loved authors on the market today topping the New York Best Seller list numerous times. I'm talking about Debbie Macomber.

The books my mother gave me were the books in Debbie Macomber's Dakota Trilogy. I guess I was supposed to like them because they take place in Buffalo Valley, ND. Is there such a place? Maybe yes; maybe no. However in the books it is a very real place that resonates with many of the people who live in our beloved state of North Dakota.

I'm one of 'those people' who have a need to review the biography of an author before embarking on the journeys weaved together in their stories. Debbie Macomber is no different than the rest. I suppose it's just one of those odd quirks about me.

As I began to read more about Mrs. Macomber, I started to develop a true and deep respect for the woman. Her difficulties in life didn't start in the slush pile of manuscripts destined to be torn apart by agents and publishers. No, her difficulties started in childhood. Whether or not Mrs. Macomber ever truly felt rejected I will never know. But, as they say, "That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger."

Those who truly know me, and love me despite everything, know that I choose to surround myself with strong women who thrive on determination and integrity. Debbie Macomber is one of those people. I may not surround myself with her very presence, but I like to think every author puts a little of themselves in everything they write.

As my faithful blog readers know, the name of my website is Butterfly Phoenix. A dedication to all the girls and women out there who rise above all odds and achieve great things. Mrs. Macomber has been a Butterfly Phoenix since the fifth grade at least. Debbie shares on her website that she is dyslexic. I've known countless numbers of people who have struggled with dyslexia over my lifetime. It is a challenge, but as she has proven with her own achievement of becoming an author, it is not something to deter those who are determined to succeed. Debbie Macomber has over 150 best selling romance novels with over one hundred million copies of her books in print. And to think, her novel Heartsong was torn up by an editor from Harper Enterprises, LTD and she was told to throw it away. Heartsong was picked up by Silhouette and the rest is history.

There's one other requirement to becoming a Butterfly Phoenix: you have to give back to the world what you have been so graciously given. Thus recognizing Mrs. Macomber for her dedication and devotion to the following: fundraising for battered women's shelters, Ambassador to the Big Brother / Big Sister national office (1997), volunteer mentorship of young people, national board member for Warm-Up America, and recipient of the 1996-1997 Woman of Distinction Award by Soroptomist International -Port Orchard, Wa. Something that also gives her shiny wings is her commitment to her Christian beliefs which are the basis to her ethical standards regarding the content of her romance novels. big kudos for that in our present world.

Like other celebrities, authors have a duty and responsibility to be positive role models for the next generation. Debbie Macomber has accomplished much more in her overcoming of dyslexia than just publishing a few books. She has touched the lives of countless women; young and old alike.