Leading with Love: A President's Day Reflection

WEBVTT
00:00:00.557 --> 00:00:06.517
Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome back to another episode of Living in Your Power.
00:00:07.177 --> 00:00:12.697
I'm your host, Dr. Marlene Greenleaf, and today we're continuing our February
00:00:12.697 --> 00:00:16.017
theme of Embracing Love and Connection.
00:00:16.397 --> 00:00:22.297
Now, this episode is intentional, and I am glad you are tuning in today,
00:00:22.297 --> 00:00:24.597
because we're going to explore,
00:00:24.797 --> 00:00:29.817
President's Day, of course, what leadership should look like and whether our
00:00:29.817 --> 00:00:32.797
current president is embodying love and connection.
00:00:33.197 --> 00:00:37.577
We're going to touch on Black History Month. I mean, despite being canceled
00:00:37.577 --> 00:00:42.377
in some areas, we are still celebrating Black excellence every day.
00:00:42.777 --> 00:00:48.317
And we're going to touch on the importance of self-care because yesterday was a holiday.
00:00:49.297 --> 00:00:56.777
And instead of engaging with the world, I took a me day to disconnect and do what I wanted to do.
00:00:57.237 --> 00:01:04.597
That's why this episode is Tuesday and not Monday as the episodes normally come up.
00:01:04.717 --> 00:01:10.717
But we have a lot to unpack and I promise you we'll connect it all in a way
00:01:10.717 --> 00:01:12.357
that leaves you feeling empowered.
00:01:12.677 --> 00:01:14.457
So let's dive in.
00:01:15.477 --> 00:01:21.397
Now, President's Day is meant to be a time when we reflect on the leadership
00:01:21.397 --> 00:01:27.057
of our nation, what it means to serve the people, uphold democracy,
00:01:27.357 --> 00:01:28.977
and lead with integrity.
00:01:30.157 --> 00:01:35.717
But I have to ask, does our current leadership reflect love and connection?
00:01:37.277 --> 00:01:45.357
I mean, we're seeing executive orders that are dividing rather than uniting us as a nation.
00:01:45.937 --> 00:01:51.297
Federal employees are being unfairly terminated, leaving hardworking people
00:01:51.297 --> 00:01:54.097
in uncertain situations.
00:01:54.457 --> 00:01:59.477
And beyond that, there's a growing question about who's really in charge.
00:02:00.657 --> 00:02:05.537
Leadership is not just about power. It's about connection.
00:02:06.357 --> 00:02:14.117
A great leader understands the needs of the people, listens, and fosters unity.
00:02:14.497 --> 00:02:20.597
And right now, many people feel disconnected from the government that is supposed to serve them.
00:02:22.357 --> 00:02:29.157
So, as we reflect on President's Day, I challenge us to think about what true
00:02:29.157 --> 00:02:30.597
leadership should look like.
00:02:30.597 --> 00:02:38.297
Not just in politics, but in our own lives, at work, in our families, and in our communities.
00:02:40.417 --> 00:02:44.777
Now let's switch gears a bit for a moment and talk about something personal.
00:02:45.077 --> 00:02:51.417
Now as you know, like I said, yesterday was a holiday and I did something I really rarely do.
00:02:51.677 --> 00:02:56.537
I took a me day. I know I talk about it, about how self-care is important.
00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:03.279
It's something that I am learning. So what I did was I disengaged.
00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:10.779
I did not engage in social media. There was no responding to emails or text messages.
00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:13.319
No business was conducted.
00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:19.599
Instead, I did things that made me feel grounded and refreshed.
00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:24.359
I did some housecleaning. I did some shopping.
00:03:24.679 --> 00:03:31.019
And I repotted two of my plants. It wasn't fancy, but it was necessary.
00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:38.179
And let me tell you, taking time for yourselves is one of the greatest ways
00:03:38.179 --> 00:03:41.919
to embrace love and connection. Why, you may ask?
00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:48.459
Because when you pour into yourself, you show up better for others.
00:03:49.999 --> 00:03:55.799
How often do we give ourselves permission to disconnect? to do something just
00:03:55.799 --> 00:03:57.879
because it brings us joy.
00:03:59.279 --> 00:04:04.299
If you haven't done that in a while, let this be your reminder.
00:04:07.079 --> 00:04:13.139
Now let's talk about something else that is deeply personally important to me, Black History Month.
00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:19.859
There are places that are trying to erase it to cancel Black History Month as
00:04:19.859 --> 00:04:25.259
if our history and contributions can just be ignored. But let me be clear.
00:04:26.461 --> 00:04:30.061
Black excellence will not be erased.
00:04:31.661 --> 00:04:36.401
Every day this month, we're celebrating Black leaders, inventors,
00:04:36.921 --> 00:04:43.301
artists, and change makers through daily posts across all my social media platforms.
00:04:43.581 --> 00:04:50.021
We're amplifying the richness of our culture and the impact Black people have had on this world.
00:04:50.321 --> 00:04:55.721
We are not waiting for permission to celebrate ourselves. So if you haven't
00:04:55.721 --> 00:05:01.161
been seeing Black History Month content where you are, make sure you're creating the conversation.
00:05:02.421 --> 00:05:08.481
Teach out your children, support Black businesses, and share stories of Black excellence.
00:05:08.841 --> 00:05:15.001
This is our history, our legacy, and it's up to us to keep it alive.
00:05:17.161 --> 00:05:27.241
Now as we close this episode, let's remember, true leadership is about connection, not division.
00:05:27.781 --> 00:05:34.901
So let's hold our leaders accountable to the standards of service, unity, and integrity.
00:05:36.621 --> 00:05:43.581
Self-care is not selfish. So take time to disconnect, reset,
00:05:43.881 --> 00:05:45.601
and do what feeds your soul.
00:05:47.921 --> 00:05:52.101
And black excellence cannot be erased.
00:05:52.361 --> 00:05:58.801
So no matter what policies try to silence us, we celebrate our history,
00:05:58.801 --> 00:06:01.781
our culture, and our power.
00:06:06.461 --> 00:06:11.761
I want you to reflect on leadership. I mean, what does it mean to lead with love?
00:06:13.961 --> 00:06:19.881
Take a me day again. If you can't do a full day, take a few hours just for you.
00:06:20.521 --> 00:06:25.561
And again, celebrate Black history much. Share something, whether it's a historical
00:06:25.561 --> 00:06:28.801
fact, a black-owned business, or a personal story.
00:06:30.881 --> 00:06:35.201
I want to thank you for joining me today on this episode of Living in Your Power.
00:06:36.361 --> 00:06:43.121
Embrace love, seek connection, and most importantly, take care of you.
00:06:43.941 --> 00:06:47.961
I want you to live boldly in your power today. And remember,
00:06:48.141 --> 00:06:51.141
if it gets tough, just breathe.
00:06:52.381 --> 00:06:57.461
You still got the strength to rise. So until next time, dear listeners,
00:06:58.001 --> 00:07:03.541
stay safe, stay empowered, and I'll see you back here soon.
00:07:04.241 --> 00:07:08.301
Continue to live in your power.