Inner Freedom: Shaping How We Perceive and Respond to the World
I wrote about freedom back in 2020 in Remember, Freedom Is Yours Until You Give It Up. Reading in G. K. Chesterton’s Autobiography this morning prompted me to reread my post and realize my words I wrote then are still relevant today. Then I read this from G. K. Chesterton this morning, “From the first vaguely, and of late more and more clearly, I have felt that the world is conceiving liberty as something that merely works outwards. And I have always conceived it as something that works inwards.” This caused me to think deeply about what Chesterton meant by this.
I believe Chesterton was highlighting a distinction between the superficial and deeper understandings of liberty. When he says that the world often sees liberty as something that “merely works outwards,” he’s referring to the common view that freedom is about external circumstances—such as political rights, legal freedoms, or outward expressions.
However, I’ve found from studying Chesterton that he believed that true liberty is more inward and spiritual. He conceived it as an internal state—a form of self-mastery or inner freedom—that influences how we think, feel, and make choices. In essence, he was emphasizing that genuine liberty begins within the individual, shaping how we perceive and respond to the world, rather than just external conditions or constraints.
It always amazes me how a couple of sentences from a great author can make a person think. Chesterton’s saying, “From the first vaguely, and of late more and more clearly, I have felt that the world is conceiving liberty as something that merely works outwards. And I have always conceived it as something that works inwards” did that for me. His perspective encourages looking inward for freedom—cultivating inner independence and moral integrity—rather than solely focusing on external rights or societal structures.
Soaring High: Embracing the Learning Journey to Master Kite Flying and Leadership
I love watching people flying kites on the beach. In particular, I love watching children having fun flying kites on the beach. Yesterday morning I looked on while a youngster had the productive struggle of learning to fly a kite. And, by the way, I am a big believer in productive struggle as a best practice for teaching and learning. The child’s parents were helping, but I’m pretty sure they were learning to fly a kite for the first time too. Of course, all of this led to an analogy.
Just like a child learning to fly a kite, someone stepping into a leadership role often faces uncertainty and challenges initially. The child’s productive struggle—feeling the wind, adjusting the tail, experimenting with different angles—mirrors how a new leader learns through trial and error, gaining confidence and skill over time. And a cool thing happened; all of the sudden the kite caught the wind just right and it was game on. Even from a distance I could tell the young person had that “Oh crap” moment of “It’s flying, now what do I do?” It was so much fun and so inspiring to watch. By the way: I’m pretty sure Orville Wright had that same “Oh Crap! I’m flying! Now what do I do?” moment on December 17, 1903!
Both situations emphasize the importance of patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. The child never once gave up when the kite dipped or struggled against the wind; instead, I could tell they were learning to read the conditions and adapt. Similarly, a leader who admits they don’t have all the answers (practices being vulnerable) and remains open to growth can develop resilience, wisdom, and better decision-making skills.
In essence, this analogy reminds us that embracing the discomfort of not knowing everything upfront allowed both the child and us as leaders, to develop competence, confidence, and a deeper understanding of our environments. It’s about valuing the journey of learning and trusting that with effort and openness, mastery—whether in flying a kite or leading others—is achievable.
Reconnecting
Yesterday I got to do something that I believe every educator reading this post would say are some of the greatest moments as an educator: reconnecting with former students. On Friday of last week I got this message from Jonathan Hawley:
Good Afternoon Big E,
Would you be up for reconnecting sometime in the next couple weeks? Let me know what works in your schedule!
Take care,
Jonathan
That message absolutely made my day. One, because it has been a lot of years since someone called me, “Big E.” Back in the day that was what all my students called me. Of course, I responded immediately that I would love to reconnect (see the featured photo).
Yesterday, we spent nearly an hour reconnecting. It was like no time had passed at all since we were last together. The point of this post is not to retell those stories, because those would be out of context for you. My point is however to reinforce how important building relationships is, particularly for teachers with students, and the tremendous value in reconnecting that Jonathan so wonderfully modeled for me.
As an agriculture science teacher I had the opportunity to really get to know our students and their families. In Jonathan’s case I was able to travel overseas with him not once, but twice. Those relationships then transform into incredible learning. It was so great to hear Jonathan share things he uses yet today that he learned from those experiences.
This reminder of the importance of relationships goes beyond education to all organizations and leadership. I am a believer in taking relationships beyond the surface level. Relationships matter. Relationship that go beyond surface level are built on a solid foundation of trust and mutual understanding. Those deeper connections provide emotional fulfillment and satisfaction that transcends mere service or reciprocity.
Reconnecting with people from our past can be incredibly fulfilling and wonderful because it allows us to rediscover shared memories, regain a sense of belonging, and see how both we and our relationships have evolved over time. It was so awesome to reconnect and get to know the Jonathan of today – a father of three and successful leader and professional.
Moments like yesterday bring an inspiring reminder of the bonds and experiences that shaped us, fostering feelings of nostalgia, gratitude, and renewed connection. This reconnection also offered new perspectives and insights, enriching our understanding of ourselves. For example, it inspired this post and me to think deeply about others I need to reconnect with. How about you? Is there someone you need to reconnect with?
Balancing Ambition and Realism: Strategies for Sustainable Success
The other night I got caught up watching the 2010 classic The A-Team movie. If you haven’t seen it, it is awesome. The line that always causes me to pause and reflect is when Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, played by Liam Neeson, says, “Overkill is underrated.” As a person who often gets credited for turning ordinary things into big deals or events, I love the comment. Now, I get the fact that in the movie as Hannibal makes the comment that he is dumping an entire box of fireworks into a distraction that probably only needs a couple, but stay with me for the analogy.
Sometimes, going above and beyond or exceeding expectations can be more effective than just meeting minimum standards. In leadership, this reminds us the value of thoroughness, extra effort, and attention to detail—showing commitment and inspiring confidence. It encourages us to deliver more than what’s necessary to achieve excellence and foster trust. I like going into this mode on projects because of the shock and awe effect of it. I’m reminded of going big or going home!
While the idea of “overkill” can often lead to high-quality results and demonstrate dedication, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize there are situations where it might not be the best approach. There have been times where I have caught myself going into “overkill” mode and was in jeopardy of overextending efforts or using excessive resources on a task that doesn’t require it can lead to inefficiency and waste.
While ambitious dedication is admirable, and I believe a good thing, it’s important to balance effort with practicality and context to ensure that striving for excellence remains sustainable and appropriate.
Leading a Stronger Team: Embracing Diversity Like a Vibrant, Harmonious Beach Scene
Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day on Tybee Island. Sunny, no wind, and 70°F (degree Fahrenheit) or 21°C (degree Celsius). The beach was full all day and it was fun to watch people come and go. Some were coming as individuals, some as couples, others as groups of friends, and others as families. Some came with fishing gear, others with beach gear to camp out for the day, others with games and kites, and some just to take a walk. Many had just stopped to walk out and stick their toes in the Atlantic Ocean. Then at the end of the day, as the sun was going down, people in bathing suites were leaving meeting others just arriving in sweatshirts and coats.
As I witnessed all this it got me thinking about how we all experience nature in different ways. Some of how we show up is dictated by how we like to show up at the beach, but for others showing up is dictated by the group they are a part of. This made me reflect on how our workplaces and organizations are not much different. Do we have a culture that invites belonging and differences in how we show up?
Think about it. Just as each person brings their unique mindset and goals to the beach, team members come with their own backgrounds, motivations, and expectations. Our teams show up based on the makeup of the team. As leaders it is important for us to recognize and respect these differences, allowing us to create an inclusive environment where everyone belongs and feels valued and understood.
Some team members may seek collaboration and connection, much like those enjoying socializing at the beach. Others might prefer solitude or focused work, similar to someone peacefully reading alone. Some may be adventurous and eager to try new things, akin to exploring tide pools or surfing.
By understanding these varied ways of showing up, we can practice adaptive leadership by providing support, setting appropriate challenges, and fostering a culture that appreciates diversity. This ensures all voices are heard and empowered, leading to a more dynamic, resilient, and cohesive group—just like a lively, harmonious beach scene where everyone’s presence contributes to the overall experience.
Reflections of Success: How Mentors Help Mentees Recognize and Leverage Their Strengths
This morning as I was watching the sun come up and how the ocean was serving as a mirror of the sun reflecting its brightness and beauty, I was reminded how important it is for us, as leaders to reflect those we serve strengths back to them. As I worked with a group of mentor teachers this past week, we discussed how being a great mentor and leader involved reflecting strengths back to mentees. Just what does that mean, though?
It means the mentor is aware, recognizes and reinforces the individual qualities, skills, and potential that each mentee possesses. Highlighting these strengths, by reflecting them back, the mentor helps the mentee see their own capabilities more clearly, boosting their confidence and encouraging further growth. This acknowledgment not only validates the mentee’s efforts but also empowers them to leverage their strengths in future challenges, fostering self-awareness and resilience along their development journey.
So, as we reflect on our own personal and professional lives, let’s not forget to turn the mirror around and reflect the strengths of those we serve back to them.
Flocking Together: How Community and Camaraderie Boost Creative Success
Those that follow me know that I love Pelicans. They are amazing birds and there are so many leadership lessons we can learn from them. I have blogged previously about them in Pelican Leadership Lessons and Leading From The Optimal Height. I am in Georgia doing some work right now and yesterday was watching these incredible creatures while spending some time on Tybee Island.
Lately, I have been doing a lot of studying the literary discussion group from the 1930s and 1940s at Oxford University that included C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien – the Inklings. As the tide came in yesterday morning there were groups of Pelicans putting on a show of their collaboration and holding each other accountable. Both the Inklings and Pelicans served, in my mind, as analogies to each other, and leadership.
The Inklings were known to be a close-knit, supportive community where members shared and critiqued each other’s works regularly, fostering mutual growth. The accountability that came from this included honest feedback, but the strong relationships and camaraderie enabled encouragement, cheerleading, and a collective pursuit of artistic and intellectual excellence—much like a flock of pelicans working together while fishing or migrating.
Pelicans are social birds that travel and hunt in groups, relying on cooperation for survival. They often communicate and coordinate their actions, holding each other accountable to stay organized and effective. Pelicans collaboratively move fish into groups for successful hunting of food. Pelicans, just like the Inklings did, thrive on their relationships to collaborate and work together toward a common goal —literary creation or efficient foraging.
The synergy of the relationships encouraged the support of one another in the Inklings. This support provided accountability; not in the form of punitive pressure, often associated with accountability, but by ensuring progress through collaboration. The Inklings shared purpose can be compared to that of the Pelicans. While the Pelicans shared purpose is survival, we know from research that many of the great literary works from Inkling authors would not have happened without their social group of accountability.
So, let’s be cognizant of the power of cooperative, communicative, and mutually supportive relationships that enhance our efforts through camaraderie and shared accountability.
Finding That Perfect Shell On The Beach
For 2026 I have chosen George MacDonald’s Diary of an Old Soul, Annotated Edition (2024) to guide my daily devotion and study time. MacDonald first self-published these poems (one for every day) in 1880. I have become a fan and student of George MacDonald because of my deep studies of C. S. Lewis. Lewis was deeply influenced by MacDonald at the age of 16 when he purchased a copy of Pantastes.
The edition of Diary of an Old Soul I am studying was expertly annotated by Dr. Timothy Larsen. I loved Larsen’s use of metaphor in the introduction, which was an incredible read in and of itself. Using metaphor, he said, “Your chosen path is the rocky bed of a stream that has temporarily gone dry. With each step you sweep past scores of stones – all of them ordinary, uninteresting, unworthy of your time.” Larsen then goes on to say, “Then a particular one catches your eye.” He was using this metaphor to cause us to think about poetry.
Larsen explained how every poem an author does, including MacDonald’s 365 in Diary of an Old Soul, will not necessarily jump out at us like the stone that catches our eye. Larsen explained this is not our fault nor the authors. Some poems will resonate with us and not others and visa versa. This reminded me also of how some musical artists songs really inspire us, but do not inspire others. This why there are so many songs on an album.
Then yesterday, when walking on the beach at Tybee Island, Georgia, I found myself walking in a bed of shells (see featured photo). They all looked unremarkable. All of the sudden, however, one jumped out at me. See the photo to the left. It caught my eye as beautiful and I took a photo of it.
There are so many lessons that can come from the stones and shells metaphors. First, it reminded us not to look at everything from a purely holistic viewpoint. We need to make sure we are looking for those individual pieces that inspire, motivate us, or cause us to pause and reflect deeply. Think about a book you are reading. Every chapter may not be exciting to you, but there may be those individual pebbles (pun intended) that jump out at you and inspire. A perfect example is how Larsen’s use of the bed of stone metaphor inspired this post.
Also, consider a conference you have recently participated in. Every session may not provide something for immediate use, but I’ll bet we can think of parts that we have copious notes from that we will immediately put to use. We need to be watching intently for those moments so we don’t miss the beautiful shell (again, pun intended).
It is all about how we show up. We must truly be present in every moment to find those gemstone moments that catch our eye and attention. As Larsen said, “The very act of attending to it deepens your admiration for it.” I am finding myself having to read MacDonald’s poems multiple times to fully understand the 1880 language they were written in. But I have been deeply moved to reflection by four of the six daily poems already. Are you staying alert for inspiration that may be right in front of you?
Always Evaluating Everything
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboy’s was on Netflix Christmas Gameday before the Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders game. Jones made the statement, “We are always evaluating. We evaluate everything,” It was interesting to hear him talk about evaluating and offers several valuable leadership lessons. Here’s where my mind was going:
- Continuous Improvement:
Emphasizing ongoing evaluation encourages a culture of constant growth and refinement. Leaders who regularly assess processes, strategies, and team performance foster an environment where improvement is a continuous goal rather than a one-time thing. - Adaptability and Flexibility:
By stating the Dallas Cowboys evaluate everything, Jones was highlighting the importance of being adaptable. We must stay open to change, recognizing that what worked yesterday might not be effective tomorrow. This mindset allows organizations to pivot and evolve as circumstances shift. - Data-Driven Decision Making:
Constant evaluation often involves analyzing data and feedback. When we prioritize evaluation, we rely on facts and insights rather than assumptions, leading to more informed decisions. - Accountability and Excellence:
Regular assessment signals a commitment to high standards. Organizations that evaluate everything demonstrate accountability at all levels and foster a culture where striving for excellence is embedded in daily operations. - Learning from Failures and Successes:
An environment of ongoing evaluation encourages learning from both successes and failures. This enables us to identify what works, address issues proactively, and celebrate achievements, thereby motivating our teams. - Transparency and Trust:
Open evaluation processes can promote transparency within our organizations, building trust among team members because everyone understands that outcomes are scrutinized fairly and constructively.
Jones’ approach reminds us we must remain vigilant, curious, and dedicated to progress, ensuring our own teams stay competitive, resilient, and aligned with the purpose, vision, and long-term goals of our organizations.
Rising Above The Situation
“It is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future—sub specie aeternitatis” (p. 72). This declaration by Viktor Frankl in Man’s Search for Meaning really jumped out at me and is so true. Frankl went on in the book to say, “And this is his salvation in the most difficult moments of his existence, although he sometimes has to force his mind to the task” (p. 72). He then went on to share how he would imagine himself in a warm and comfortable lecture hall lecturing attentive students rather than worrying about all the trivial tasks of being in a concentration camp.
I am one of those people who always loves having things to look forward to. I love having the next trip, next big project, next goal, or next big vision to imagine. This is, I’m sure an over simplification, but it seems to me that these futuristic imaginations can also take up space in our brains that would otherwise be vulnerable to stress and anxiety. Anticipation is a powerful feeling. That giddy excitement we all get when looking forward to something helps us feel more capable of dealing with what’s on our plates.
“…it did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us.” ~ Viktor Frankl
This also made me think about vision boards being such a powerful tool. Frankl was creating a vision board in his mind of being back in a lecture hall doing what he loves to do – which he ultimately accomplished. When we visualize what we want and are looking forward to, we put it into our universe. We are essentially telling ourselves what we want and bringing it into our surroundings.
“Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual.” ~ Viktor Frankl
When we have a clear picture of what we want to achieve and why it matters (our purpose) we’re more likely to stay focused and committed to taking action. Research also tells us to focus on the process and journey, not just the ultimate goal. Frankl was practicing mental rehearsal or visualization, which research now shows can significantly influence beliefs and decision-making, akin to real experiences.
Byron's Babbles 
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