 Writer guest Blogger and stroke Survivor Issac Peterson III So we can finally put last year behind us, and we can now only view it in the rear view mirror. (I say finally not because it was a bad year, but because it just seemed like it would never end.) How’s everybody doing with their New Year’s resolutions? I’m doing great on that score since I don’t really make resolutions. But there is one deal I made with myself: to be excellent; not a resolution, but a promise and a commitment. I use excellent instead of perfect for one reason: perfection is a place that is pretty much impossible to reach. I’ve been called both a perfect gentleman and a perfect idiot, but those are just figures of speech. I do try to be an excellent gentleman when I can: an idiot, not so much. Excellence is attainable; one of the ways to get there, in my mind, is to always try my best–that way I can’t help but get better all the time. If something is worth doing, why not be excellent at it? I don’t always start out being excellent, but I do try hard to get there. There is no shame in not being perfect, and being excellent is something to definitely be proud of. If you don’t achieve a goal you’ve set, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it just means you need to keep working on it or that you need to set a more realistic, attainable goal. I know traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors have plenty of goals–probably the biggest one is to stop having a TBI. That may or may not be realistic since lots of brain injury survivors have the injury for years or decades, and there’s not much that can be done about that. However, dealing with life with a determination to make the best of it, is indeed possible. If you can do that, it will set you apart from a lot of survivors who choose to wallow in self pity and stay stuck. But if you decide to constantly identify areas where you can improve, it won’t make you perfect, but it will make you an excellent role model for others and your quality of life can improve incrementally or even dramatically. That would be most excellent, wouldn’t it? Just not giving up and giving in will make you an excellent role model. Learn from your setbacks and use what you learned from them. Keep doing that and you will be excellent by just making the conscious effort to keep progressing and not giving up. So what does excellence mean? Teams that lose the Super Bowl aren’t losers. I mean, there are 32 teams and they came in number two out of 32 teams for the season. They weren’t perfect: they didn’t win, but they are excellent, or they wouldn’t be in the Super Bowl. If you look at it that way, you can be excellent at things you do too: you don’t have to be the best but you can be excellent. There is no shame in losing the 100 meter dash in the Olympics; it doesn’t mean someone is a loser. If they weren’t excellent they wouldn’t be on the Olympic team. On a personal level, when I was in junior high school I came in second in a regional spelling contest. I misspelled two words, so although I didn’t win, I was still an excellent speller. Other people thought so and still think so–I still get asked how to spell words by other people. Myself, I always try to be as excellent a writer as I can. Unfortunately that’s an area that I’m not able to judge. We can be our own harshest critic; it’s difficult to see ourselves as we are or the way the world sees us. When we get feedback we don’t want to hear, though, we have a perfect opportunity to be excellent. Someone just gave us an area where maybe we could work to get better, so maybe we should welcome honest criticism. One way to know when you reach excellence is when others notice, and when they notice, they will tell you. What you need to do then is work on staying excellent, and not beat yourself up for not being perfect. Why waste your time and energy on something you likely not ever be able to, no matter how hard you try? Why not spend your time and energy being excellent at something? I hope you will try to be excellent at life. If you have a TBI, the deficiencies you suddenly have shouldn’t keep you from excellence in anything else you choose to do. You’ve already come a long way; there are people who don’t survive the experience, but you did. In that way, you are already excellent. Now just live your life the best way you are able, and you will be excellent at life. One more thing: you are already excellent at something else–since everyone is a unique individual that means you can already do something no one else can, and that’s being yourself. You already excel at that. If you’re like me, you can always be better at something, always find areas you need to work on, but still be an excellent you. Let’s all go out there and be excellent. What do you say? In that way, you are already excellent.  
By: Catherine Schuetzle The unexpected decision of President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race presents a profound opportunity for leaders seeking to make a meaningful impact. This moment holds a mirror to essential leadership qualities, urging a deeper reflection on what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and humanity. Adaptability and Flexibility: Adaptability and Flexibility Biden’s choice to step down highlights the crucial need for adaptability. True leaders must remain agile, ready to pivot their strategies and goals as circumstances evolve. This flexibility is not a sign of weakness but a testament to their strategic foresight and ability to navigate complex environments. Prioritizing Well-being In prioritizing his well-being or the nation's over personal ambition, Biden exemplifies a fundamental leadership principle: the balance between ambition and well-being. Impact leaders must recognize the importance of safeguarding their own health and the well-being of their teams. Understanding when to step back for the greater good is a strength, not a surrender. Prioritizing Well-being Prioritizing Well-being In prioritizing his well-being or the nation's over personal ambition, Biden exemplifies a fundamental leadership principle: the balance between ambition and well-being. Impact leaders must recognize the importance of safeguarding their own health and the well-being of their teams. Understanding when to step back for the greater good is a strength, not a surrender. What does a leader’s decision to step back reveal about their understanding of strength and surrender? Transparent Communication Transparent Communication During times of significant change, transparent communication becomes paramount. Leaders must convey their decisions and reasoning with clarity and openness. This transparency fosters trust and maintains morale, even amidst uncertainty. It’s through honest dialogue that leaders build resilient and cohesive teams. Strategic Succession Planning Strategic Succession Planning Biden’s departure underscores the imperative of strategic succession planning. Leaders should cultivate a pipeline of capable individuals prepared to assume leadership roles, ensuring continuity and stability. This foresight not only preserves organizational momentum but also empowers emerging leaders to thrive. Resilience in Uncertainty Resilience in Uncertainty Navigating the unforeseen requires unwavering resilience. Leaders must embody a steadfast presence, guiding their teams through tumultuous periods with confidence and calm. This resilience is the anchor that keeps the ship steady, even when the waters are rough. What is the bedrock of enduring leadership that fosters a culture of collective purpose? Mission Over Ego
Mission Over Ego Putting the mission above personal ambition is the hallmark of impactful leadership. Biden’s decision serves as a potent reminder for leaders to prioritize their organization’s mission and values over personal gain. This selflessness is the bedrock of enduring leadership, fostering a culture of collective purpose and shared success. By internalizing these lessons, impact leaders can approach their challenges with enhanced wisdom and effectiveness. The intersection of personal integrity and professional responsibility shapes the path to transformative leadership. Written By: Jessica Robinson, Leave & Care Division and Member of BUILD Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The holiday’s origin story begins in Galveston, Texas, which, in 1865, was the western-most area of the Union.   On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston with the news that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day came to be known as Juneteenth. Interestingly, these enslaved individuals had technically already been freed two-and-a-half years prior when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. However, slaveholders in Texas had kept this information to themselves, extending the period of violent exploitation of enslaved African Americans. The significance of Juneteenth Juneteenth is a time to celebrate, gather as a family, reflect on the past, and look to the future. It is considered the longest-running holiday in African American and Black communities. The holiday’s name is a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” signifying the date when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, after the U.S. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Celebrating Juneteenth Initially, Juneteenth was celebrated in family- and church-centered gatherings. Formerly enslaved individuals and their families would come together to commemorate this significant day. These early observances were heartfelt and intimate, emphasizing the joy of newfound freedom and the resilience of the African American community. Over the years, the informal holiday evolved into something more. Annual pilgrimages to Galveston Bay in Texas became a tradition. People would visit the site where Union troops arrived on June 19, 1865, to announce freedom to the enslaved population. These pilgrimages allowed people to connect with history and honor their ancestors’ struggles and triumphs. As Juneteenth spread across the South, it also became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s. Food festivals, music, and other public celebrations began to take center stage. The holiday transformed from private gatherings to community-wide events, emphasizing unity, pride, and cultural heritage. The recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the United States has signified its importance in acknowledging the legacy of slavery and celebrating African American culture and achievements. Whether you’re new to this information or someone looking to deepen their understanding, here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth 1. Find an event in your community Check local listings for events happening near you. Here are a few: -BUILD’s 2024 Juneteenth celebration Open to all state employees June 14, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m., in-person and virtually Tivoli Fountain, Capitol Campus, Olympia For additional information, contact [email protected] -BEING’s Juneteenth celebration 2024 Open to all state employees June 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m., virtual event For additional information, contact [email protected] -Lacey’s 43rd Juneteenth Celebration June 15, 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 8345 Steilacoom Road SE, Lacey Free BBQ, music, haircuts and connection. Optional: bring non-perishable food items for the Food Bank -A few Juneteenth events happening on June 19 around Seattle
- Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom Community event open to all June 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stewart Heights Park 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Tacoma Find additional information on https://www.juneteenthwa.com/. 2. Cook traditional foods
3. Support Black-owned businesses
4. Listen to Black artists and/or Watch Black TV shows and movies
5. Read books written by Black authors and poets
Remember, Juneteenth is not just a celebration. It’s a call to action and a commitment to justice for all. Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength and determination of African Americans who fought for freedom and equality. As we celebrate this historic day, let us continue to learn, reflect and work toward a more just and inclusive society. In celebration of Juneteenth Month, allow us to embark on a journey of cosmic proportions through the lives of extraordinary women from Washington State. These trailblazers have not only made indelible marks on the economic, social, political, and civic fabrics of our region but have done so with a fearless fervor that echoes through the corridors of history. Like brilliant celestial bodies, they illuminated our path, ensuring the rights and liberties we cherish today. To these exceptional and inspirational women, we extend our profound gratitude, recognizing their monumental contributions to the ever-expanding universe of human endeavor and freedom.  Link: On Juneteenth: Gordon-Reed, Annette: 9781631498831: Amazon.com: Books
The essential, sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Texas native. Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon-Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond. All too aware of the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen that have long dominated the lore of the Lone Star State, Gordon-Reed―herself a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s―forges a new and profoundly truthful narrative of her home state, with implications for us all. Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, African-Americans played an integral role in the Texas story. Reworking the traditional “Alamo” framework, she powerfully demonstrates, among other things, that the slave- and race-based economy not only defined the fractious era of Texas independence but precipitated the Mexican-American War and, indeed, the Civil War itself. In its concision, eloquence, and clear presentation of history, On Juneteenth vitally revises conventional renderings of Texas and national history. As our nation verges on recognizing June 19 as a national holiday, On Juneteenth is both an essential account and a stark reminder that the fight for equality is exigent and ongoing. 2 black-and-white illustrations. PDF Below! 
June 19 has always been a significant day in Opal Lee’s life. Not only was it the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached her home state of Texas in 1865, but it was also the day in 1939 that a white mob burned down her family’s home. She was 12 years old. This experience led her to advocate for the designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. For years, she gathered people together for 2.5-mile walks, representing the two-and-a-half years it took for the 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas to learn they were free after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In 2019 she launched a petition hoping to gather 100,000 signatures—it garnered 1.6 million. “I keep advocating that ‘Each one of us teach one of us,’ because we know people at work, at church, in our meetings, that aren’t on the same page, and we can change their minds. I mean, if people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.”      Understanding SMART Goals See our resource page to download your 30-day goal tracker and SMART goal outline! What are SMART Goals? SMART goals are a method of goal-setting that ensures objectives are clear, achievable, and measurable. The acronym SMART stands for:
Why Use SMART Goals? Setting SMART goals can help individuals and organizations:
Breaking Down SMART Goals:
Implementing SMART Goals: To implement SMART goals effectively:
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