Shockingly incredible fence building.

I really am confused by the events that took place yesterday. I was accused of not 'being on the right team'. In my eyes, we are all on the same team working to the same end. Not some division or separation that we need to institute in order to be sure people know which side of the fence we are on. This is the basic instrument that has precluded humanity from the concept of peace. Building fences. Erecting walls between groups of people. Trying to ensure separation between groups of people with different roles within an organization. This is the antithesis of leadership in my eyes, and I may not have reacted appropriately with such an accusation of said team side selections. In my eyes, if you are looking at an 'educational organization', the bottom line is student learning. That is why I believe in the mission and vision of the company I work for, and why I work hard to try to ensure just that - students are learning. I like to enjoy myself along the way. As my friend win-D would say "ain't no sense in bein' stupid". And if I might take a moment of tripping here, I am good at building relationships with people. People of all kinds. Colors. Personality types. Backgrounds. Interests. It almost seems to me that the comments yesterday were telling me that it's not OK to build those relationships. Check that - I was told that I made poor judgement and bad decisions. Bad decisions? Investing in the people that are doing the work to support the bottom line - student learning? Getting to know them personally and enjoy time with them outside of this place? Talking about their family, their lives, their apartment search, their school, their struggles and successes? Build a fence. Stay on your side. Don't cross over, unless it means you can be friends with the 'popular kids' on this middle school drama reality TV series. I'm just saying. I am a fence tearer downer. Yup. Those are real words. And I won't stand passively by and let someone build a fence between those I serve, no matter what their role is. Because I love people. Don't take this wrong - there are still times you need to hold people to the fire, and that can get uncomfortable. But what leaders need to hear (pay attention Lovers!) is that you can care for people's needs, and still deliver tough messages to them. But if you don't have a relationship with them, it will never work.

Much love to pastor for always pouring into me, and checking my behavior to allow me to check myself. Also, big shout out to my girl T. Brown out in the 'Zou for giving me the gift of Psalms 27 today. For I am doing my absolute best to 'seek the face of the Lord', and I am tired of the fence building.