How To Develop The Needed Traits To Become A Great Leader

By Melody Hughes

Leaders are leaders whether they like it or not. This can be an exhausting job whether you are the leader at work or at home or in your club or organization. It's hard work that wears away at you one day to the next.

Leadership compels you to be independent of many rules and regulations. You literally have to think outside the box in order to function. You have to be able to tackle situations as they come at you without the benefit of referring to a guide on the subject.

Leaders have to remain calm at all times, but also have to know when to put on an impassioned front whenever the situation calls for it. They have to be flexible while also being able to defer to a core set of beliefs in order to make decisions when all the best information may not be available to them. They have to be reasonable and analytical one minute while commanding excitement and loyalty the next.

Leaders are confronted with a variety of different situations at a variety of different times. Some situations call for them to behave in some ways, while other situations can call for them to behave in totally different ways.

Leaders have to focus on the mission to make tough decisions when the situation calls on them to make tough decisions. They can't be swayed by politicians and cowards into making the decisions that might not be in the best interest of the group or organization.

The very best leaders are open minds and flexible while also maintaining an open door so they can hear out the ideas and complaints of their underlings. They have to listen, but they also have to be steadfast. They need to know and believe in the validity of their position without being swayed every time somebody comes up with a complaint or an altering viewpoint.

Also, leaders have to be opinionated. They have to be able to ascertain their own positions and defend them from outside threats - and sometimes even internal threats. They have to stand by their ideas.

So, maintain an open mind, but know when to stand fast behind what you know to be the very essential truth. Know what is for the best and focus on the core mission but also take account of the bigger picture.

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Ash Scatterings and Cultural Beliefs

By Ashley Pearson

For the last several thousand years, cremation, as well as the scattering of ashes at sea, has been embraced by many cultures throughout the world, specifically throughout the Pacific Islands such as Hawaii. Both cremation and traditional burial have gone through periods of preference throughout history; however, in recent times cremation has proved a more desirable alternative for honoring the deceased.

Several of the East Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, not only embrace but also encourage ash scatterings as well as cremation as a means of burial. In religions such as these, the body is viewed as a housing for the soul. Based upon Hindu beliefs, this housing is made out of five basic elements: fire, water, air, earth, and space. When one of these elements ceases, so also does fire cease, and that form is sent to the original state. The fire through cremation is used as a way to complete this cycle.

Hawaiians believe that fire is also a key element for remembering the deceased. The islands' inhabitants, knowing the Hawaiian islands were formed from the combination of fire and water, believe that this is a metaphoric cycle of life that must be carried on into the memories of those lost. By scattering the ashes of their loved ones at sea, we are all reminded of life's journeys.

Cremation has historically been discouraged by the Christian culture; however in recent times, it is much more accepted by the alternate denominations. The original criticism of of cremation during early church history, resulted due to several key issues. Primarily, the church thought of the body as an instrument through which sacraments were received. Due to it being holy, and sacramental, it needed to be disposed of with reverence. This was due to the fact that many of the cremation practices of the early church's day were viewed as pagan and unsightly. Finally, the Church believed that by burning the body's remains it meant the refusal of the resurrection of the body, however this was refuted early on. When Protestantism began to spread throughout Europe and into the Americas, cremation became much more accepted and even encouraged.

As time progresses and cultures continue to develop and change, ash scatterings are becoming a more symbolic approach to commemorating the deceased, as opposed to the more traditional burials. By opting for an ash scattering, the family and/or friends can celebrate a loved one's life by participating in a ceremony that aides in bringing closure and acceptance to those left behind. No matter what cultural and geographical differences exist, ash scatterings are a timeless tradition that will continue to serve as a meaningful way to never forget those that have passed on.

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