Lord Willin and the Creek Don't Rise

“LORD WILLIN’ AND THE CREEK DON’T RISE”


Perhaps you’ve heard your father or grandfather quote the old adage by qualifying a “yes” with “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.” Or, at least, that’s what my Dad would say.

Translated, “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise” is said to mean: “With good luck and no major problems, we can be successful.” With all due respect, I take issue with the author Benjamin Hawkins.

Luck and no problems . . . or skill, hard work / smart work, opportunities, choices, and action? Which is more likely to help us achieve a desire result? In fact, if “luck” and “no major problems” result in success, the task may be so routine that energies would be better directed toward a more challenging objective?

While I casually subscribe to the cliché: “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” I wouldn’t count on luck and the absence of hard work to lead me in achieving a challenging goal.

Something to think about?

Chat with you later . . . “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.”

Mary Jane Umberger, SPHR, President
HR Alliance, LLC
580 W. Main St.
Wytheville, VA 24382
(276) 223-1718
hralliance@embarqmail.com
http://www.hralliancewithyou.com/

THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

Welcome February 2010! Twenty-eight days . . . among them:
Groundhog Day
Lincoln’s Birthday
Valentine’s Day
President’s Day
Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras
Ash Wednesday
Washington’s Birthday
Waitangi Day
Purim
Your birthday? Anniversary?
the beginning of the Chinese new year . . . whew . . . what a busy month of celebrations.

Let’s look at February 14th, best known for the tradition of Valentine’s Day; this year it shares the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2010 is the Year of the Tiger which legend describes as follows:

“Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered; however people have great respect for them. Sometimes ‘tiger people’ have conflict with older people or those in authority. Sometimes ‘tiger people’ can not make up their minds, which can result in poor hasty decisions or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful.”

Do you see any “tiger traits” in yourself and others?

Perhaps the Year of the Tiger provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon those qualities we want to shape our year.

Designed for leaders seeking opportunities to learn progressive strategies that improve working relationships and positively impact bottom-line results!

Wytheville Meeting Center Lunch: 12:15 p.m. Seminar: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Series of five (5) half-day luncheon seminars offered by experts in their field

$99 per person per session; Series Discount = $425 per person for all five (5) sessions

Advance registration required by 2/9/2010 to take advantage of Series discount. Make checks payable to: HR Alliance.

For more information, contact:
Mary Jane Umberger
HR Alliance, LLC
580 W. Main St. Wytheville, VA 24382
hralliance@embarqmail.com
(276) 223-1718
To register online, go to: www.hralliancewithyou.com



3rd Annual Leadership Development Series

HIGH IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES IN 2010

The Be-Attitudes of Extra Ordinary Leaders
Increasing your effectiveness . . . one attitude at a time
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Facilitated by: Janet Crawford, MHA, MBA, PCC
President & CEO of Extra Ordinary Living, LLC

State of the Union Address
2010 Legislation impacting business
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Facilitated by: Mark Goodwin, Partner
LeClairRyan – Richmond, VA

Crucial Conversations
Fact, Impact, Solution
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Facilitated by: Lorie Deal
Leadership Development North America for TeleTech®

Dynamics of Difference: Opportunities & Challenges
Solutions that lie beneath the surface
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Facilitated by: Susanna Rinehart, MFA
Multicultural Fellow & Associate Professor of Theatre & Cinema @ VA Tech

The Business of Going Green
Weaving Green into the fabric of your life
Thursday, April 22, 2010 / Earth Day
Facilitated by: Keith Litz, Environmental & Energy Specialist
Wytheville Community College Manufacturing Technology Center

Featured Green Sponsors: Gatorade; Mt. Rogers Community Services Board, MTC Transformers; Wytheville Office Supply

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG
That is the question . . .

. . . whether ‘tis nobler to keep one’s thoughts to themselves . . .
or to take arms with the pen and risk sharing perspectives with another.

With my apologies to the memory of William Shakespeare, I ponder the dilemma whether or not to create a blog and take arms with the pen (or keyboard, as the case may be). In so doing, I ask myself two questions: (1.) Why? (2.) Why not?

Why?
Because I love to write
Because I have just created a new website – a convenient vehicle on which to hitch a ride
Because what I write may have a positive influence on a reader or sound a call to appropriate action
Because I may learn something in the process
Did I mention I love to write?

Why not?
Because I may not be a very good writer
Because developing a blog requires refreshing the site regularly – What if I have nothing to ‘say’?
Do I have the time? Will I make the time?
Will I make the commitment?

Perhaps I am burdened by my internal critic who warns me: “What will other people think?” “Maybe you’re not such a good writer after all.” “No one will read it.”

I was once told by a newspaper editor: There are natural writers and there are writers who pace, sweat, and wring their hands over the page. I fear I am the latter; however, my love of writing shall take precedence.

Given the beginning of a new year – the beginning of a new decade – by the power vested in me, I make a commitment to allocate the time to create a monthly blog throughout 2010.

And so, the “Whys” have it.
If we focus on our strengths, we tend to look for ways why we can.

If we focus on those areas we do not consider our strengths, we tend to justify our inaction by looking for ways why we can not.

In today’s economic, political and litigious environment, we often find ourselves in a state of flux. The answers to “why” and “why not” may not seem as clear as they once did. It is not uncommon for clients to contact HR Alliance to help distinguish between the “whys” and the “why nots.” I am grateful to those who call and allow us to participate in discussions that result in appropriate action because . . . the “whys” have it.

I invite you to visit: http://www.hralliancewithyou.blogspot.com/ and respond with your questions, suggestions, thoughts, opinions, and ideas on future blogs.

In the meantime, to each of you,
please accept my sincere best wishes
for a new year of happiness, good health, prosperity and peace.

HR Alliance is a human resource management consulting firm and, through a host of talented colleagues, provides HR consultation, outsourcing, leadership development training , outplacement and a myriad of other resources designed to foster professional growth and organizational success.

We are available for around-the-clock support 24/7. For more information, please contact us:

Mary Jane Umberger, SPHR
HR Alliance, LLC
. . . a catalyst for positive change
580 W. Main St.
Wytheville, VA
Office: (276) 223-1718
Mobile: (276) 620-1618
hralliance@embarqmail.com
http://www.hralliancewithyou.com/
http://www.hralliancewithyou.blogspot.com/