The Servant Leader


We teach what we need to know. That phrase never meant as much to me, until I became a teacher and a writer. It is this humanity - the experience of having undergone the transformation sometimes minutes before another - that helps us show another how to maneuver the jungles of life. Whenever I lead a workshop or retreat or write a book, I find inevitably whatever subject I will be lecturing on or writing, I am challenged with. For example, if I want to discuss the importance of balance or honesty, I will be confronted with a situation where I am out of balance or being dishonest. The problem usually lies in the fact that although I may not be comfortable with the status quo, it is most likely familiar. It is a rut in my cerebral understanding of how to respond to a certain situation. It requires courage to step outside of the known and habitual ways of being to forge a new path. In the beginning, there are always shocks and repercussions of trying on a new me, but the benefits of being comfortable in my own skin far out weigh any pain I may endure.

I wrote the Teen Spell Book because I wanted to heal the anger from my teen years. It wasn't that I didn't hold onto any grudges and was so completely free and clear of them. I wanted to learn how to let go of the shackles and then by my example, show a path for others to help themselves. I couldn't live a life full of anger, when I longed for joy. I wrote affirmations and rituals so I could work through acknowledging and releasing the pain. It was a Teen Book of Shadows. I printed my diary.

There is a true story told of Gandhi. It is said that one day a woman came to the venerated holy man and asked that he teach her son the benefits and wisdom of staying away from candy. The holy man asked that the woman return the following day and he would have an answer for her. When she came back the next day, she asked Gandhi why he needed a day to answer her. His reply was that he needed to stop eating candy before he could advise her son. Each of us are teachers and leaders in our own right. Each of us has a gift to share. When we are on the brink of integrating this knowledge we stand in the space between heaven and earth. It is the "Ah Hah" moment that we experience God/Goddess/Spirit.

Through our gifts and understandings we receive information. The intended cycle is that the information will then pass through us without our attachment to how it is received on the other end. You will throw out thousands of seeds in a lifetime and hopefully a few will take root. It is not your responsibility to stay around to water them and make them grow. You cannot expect to profoundly change everyone you speak to. We are a human team - dominos if you will. Yet, there is something you have that will profoundly affect the life of another. Allow your experiences to guide you. In your vulnerability you are power. As you speak of the feelings and reactions, you honor and serve you humanity. As you share of yourself, you give voice to the Godself. As you serve self, you are a leader, most holy.

Blessings,
Jamie Dancing Butterfly Martinez Wood