Once is Enough
Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement, and action have an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent. Bob Keeshan
Just like many people around the world, we strive, hope and wish to do great things that we would be remembered by after we are long gone on this earth.
For some, their long-life dream is to own a business or occupy an influential position in the society or acquire stupendous wealth that will enable them to build monuments or give to or start charities that bear their names long after they are gone. While some people who are more academically inclined or creative ones try to invent things that will be useful to the world (which by extension give them fame and money).
Where the talent and money options are NOT available to be exploited, other people choose to lead a large group of people to champion a cause or a political party. The harsh reality is that NOT all of us can be rich, gifted or occupy some lofty position in the society but as we would see in the life three successful women described here, we can still impact the world from where are using what we have and have our names indelibly written across the sands of time.
Let’s Start… with Barbara Bush.
Of course, Barbara Bush needs no introduction – the story of her death and burial was all over the news last week: Before her passing away last week at the ripe old age of 92, Barbara was the wife of the 41st American President George H. Bush (Sr) and mother to George W Bush (43rd American President) and Jeb Bush (43rd Governor of Florida). Now, hows that for a profile? Is that not what is called influence? As the Author and Leadership Expert, John C. Maxwell has said repeatedly in his books “Leadership is Influence, Nothing more Nothing less”). Barbara can, therefore, be considered as a leader.
How can the history of America history be told without talking about Barbara Bush – Do we want to talk about various causes and initiatives that she championed around Education and Family matters, numerous to mention or her sons which she groomed to be key players in US Politics.
Granted Barbara Bush is popular because of the vintage position she occupied let’s consider yet another woman: have you heard of name Mary Maxwell before? Probably not! Mary Maxwell was a school teacher and a businesswoman (that sat on the board of many companies including United Way) by the time she passed away in 1994 after a bout with breast cancer, she and her husband William H. Gate had raised the type of son which any parent will be proud of. Her son’s name is Bill Gates; the richest man in the world (up till the latter part of last year 2017). Her success in business predated those of her son and by 1983 she because the first woman to be appointed to lead United Way!
What about Susanna Annesley? my guess is that you have not heard of that name either. If you are an Anglican or Methodist then the names John and Charles Wesley would most certainly ring a bell, Susanna Annesley Wesley (Susanna Wesley for short) major occupation was being a MOTHER!
Considering that she birthed 19 children (Yes 19 Children but don’t worry that was during the 16th century), naturally, no other profession could compete for that role of MOTHER. Though she never wrote any book, preached any groundbreaking sermon during her lifetime, yet she is known globally as the “Mother of Methodism”. That is how much impact and influence she had on her two sons (John and Charles Wesley)
We really do not need to influence many people to achieve to achieve greatness, all we need sometimes is to influence 1 to 3 persons consistently in a positive way and it may be all that we need to do in this lifetime.
We are all leaders in our own capacity and must continue to strive for personal growth. As Mae West said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” For these three women, once was enough.
