“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge…” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

NOTE:  In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., on the anniversary of his birthday, I wanted to use his quotes to set up this leadership message.  The equal rights movement lead by Dr. King will forever shape the world.  But his teachings and the wisdom he shared through them are just as impactful.

Several of you have asked about the status and progress of my father’s recovery, so I thought I would provide an update while offering the lessons I have gained through this progress.  For reference sake, my father was involved in an accident in October of 2013 – one in which the prognosis was grim.  He suffered a cranial hemorrhage, the type that requires surgeon’s to remove part of your skull to relieve the pressure.  This type of injury is similar to a massive stroke in that your brain sits in a pool of blood for a period of time before the pressure can be relieved.  It can literally drown parts of the brain.

The result of the accident and the cranial hemorrhage left him initially paralyzed on the left side of his body.  That was the reality we faced once he came out of his coma.  Frankly, just the fact that he survived the ordeal was enough for us.  Paralysis or not, I still had my father and I was beyond grateful.

But this isn’t a message about accepting a new reality.  It’s a message about strength.  About courage.  About commitment.  And about recognizing the new reality, but the determination to change it. Continue reading →