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A True Model for All
- By Al Riggins
- Published 07/29/2009
- Editorial and Opinion
- Unrated
Al Riggins
I'm an educator with 30 years of experience in the field. I am also a pastor of a small congregation with large aspirations. I have published 3 novels and 2 Character Education books. I am also a motivator and leadership trainer and presenter. I love to write. I love educating people, especially young people and adults as well. I'm a married father of 4 great boys. I've mentored countless numbers of individuals of all ages. I just love sharing useful information.
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Like him or not, I must admit, I am truly impressed by President Obama and the Obama family. I admit I was skeptical as to whether he had what it took to hold the office and truly live up to the rigors of the position of President of the United States. I didn’t think candidate Obama had the backbone to withstand all of the scrutiny that was going to be directed toward him and his family if elected.
Being President was going to open one set of doors to scrutiny, and being Black was going to open another set of doors of scrutiny. I admit, I didn’t see a man who was ready to take on all of this scrutiny and analyzing and be effective as President of one of the most critic-laden nations in the world. As a nation we have more critics and analysts than any country in the world.
President Obama, in my opinion, has handled virtually every critical challenge with charisma, intelligence, humbleness, and strength. He has demonstrated strength when necessary. He’s ac-knowledged mistakes when necessary.
He’s displayed versatility when the need arose. He has rolled up his sleeves and worked side-by-side with those who are helping others. He has taken time for his family and his marriage.
I’m sure that some of the images we have seen have been orchestrated by some, but I believe that most are genuine and sincere. We will all have critics from now to the grave, but not as many as President Obama. The question isn’t whether we will have the critics; the question should be, “how will we handle the critics?”
As an educator, a father, husband, minister, and individual, I have my share of critics. Being a black man, we all know, can bring about its own set of critics. President Obama and the way that he deals with his day-to-day affairs has inspired me to be a stronger and more focused man in every sense.
Each of us should be aware of the fact that younger generations and others are examining our behaviors and attitudes and modes of operation.
We must take more time for our families and those in our inner circle. We must be versatile enough to make changes that are not benefiting those around us.
We must spend less time being critical of others and find more time to critique our own personal lives. We must be mindful of the critics around us and prepare ourselves to handle their criticism with the tact and intelligence that demonstrates our love and respect for ourselves and those who depend on and look up to us. The people that truly love and respect you for being you are the ones that really count.
Trying to please people, who really don’t care much for you, will cause you to lose important time that you can use enjoying your life with those who unconditionally love you. Take a minute and spend time having a heart-to-heart conversation with others in and around your life. These precious minutes can make a difference that could last a lifetime.
Being President was going to open one set of doors to scrutiny, and being Black was going to open another set of doors of scrutiny. I admit, I didn’t see a man who was ready to take on all of this scrutiny and analyzing and be effective as President of one of the most critic-laden nations in the world. As a nation we have more critics and analysts than any country in the world.
President Obama, in my opinion, has handled virtually every critical challenge with charisma, intelligence, humbleness, and strength. He has demonstrated strength when necessary. He’s ac-knowledged mistakes when necessary.
He’s displayed versatility when the need arose. He has rolled up his sleeves and worked side-by-side with those who are helping others. He has taken time for his family and his marriage.
I’m sure that some of the images we have seen have been orchestrated by some, but I believe that most are genuine and sincere. We will all have critics from now to the grave, but not as many as President Obama. The question isn’t whether we will have the critics; the question should be, “how will we handle the critics?”
As an educator, a father, husband, minister, and individual, I have my share of critics. Being a black man, we all know, can bring about its own set of critics. President Obama and the way that he deals with his day-to-day affairs has inspired me to be a stronger and more focused man in every sense.
Each of us should be aware of the fact that younger generations and others are examining our behaviors and attitudes and modes of operation.
We must take more time for our families and those in our inner circle. We must be versatile enough to make changes that are not benefiting those around us.
We must spend less time being critical of others and find more time to critique our own personal lives. We must be mindful of the critics around us and prepare ourselves to handle their criticism with the tact and intelligence that demonstrates our love and respect for ourselves and those who depend on and look up to us. The people that truly love and respect you for being you are the ones that really count.
Trying to please people, who really don’t care much for you, will cause you to lose important time that you can use enjoying your life with those who unconditionally love you. Take a minute and spend time having a heart-to-heart conversation with others in and around your life. These precious minutes can make a difference that could last a lifetime.