Tag: personal responsibility

The Face of Kindness: Demarcus Hillsman’s Inspiring Display of Leadership and Personal Initiative

Post author By Di Tran
Post date February 28, 2024

Viet Bao Louisville KY - Rotary Club Honors Scholars Mentoring Program - Di Tran

In the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, a young man named Demarcus Hillsman is setting a remarkable example of kindness, leadership, and personal initiative. On a crisp Tuesday morning, the Rotary Club of Louisville gathered at Western High School for the Rotary Honors Scholars Mentoring Program, focused on resume writing and interview preparation. Among the attendees was Di Tran, a dedicated volunteer mentor and a respected figure in the community. Little did he know that he was about to witness a display of character that would leave a lasting impression.

As the session commenced, Demarcus was one of the first students to arrive in the library. What set him apart was not just his punctuality, but his genuine warmth and professionalism. Without any hint of pretense, he went around the room, shaking hands with each mentor, introducing himself with a humble and friendly demeanor. It was a simple act, yet it spoke volumes about his character.

What struck Di Tran most was Demarcus’s sense of responsibility. He openly admitted that he was tasked with rallying his peers for the mentorship session and took full accountability for the turnout. This wasn’t just about showing up; it was about owning his role and accepting the outcome, regardless of its success. This level of personal initiative and leadership is rare, even among adults, and it resonated deeply with Di Tran.

The theme of the day was resume writing, and as Di Tran and other mentors guided Demarcus through the process, his natural ability to showcase his achievements, learnings, and problem-solving skills was evident. He didn’t just list his accomplishments; he demonstrated a deep understanding of their value and the lessons they imparted. This wasn’t a rehearsed performance; it was an authentic reflection of his approach to life.

Di Tran couldn’t help but commend Demarcus for his rare quality of personal initiative, a trait emphasized by Napoleon Hill in his teachings. To this, Demarcus responded with a humility that was both refreshing and enlightening. “I don’t know, but I just know to do what is in front of me,” he said. It was a simple statement, yet it captured the essence of true wisdom and maturity.

As the session concluded, Demarcus’s gratitude was palpable. He thanked each mentor with a warmth that was heartfelt and sincere. Di Tran left the session feeling not just hopeful for the future of Louisville but also inspired by the younger generation’s potential. Demarcus Hillsman, with his natural leadership, personal initiative, and kind-heartedness, is a beacon of hope and a testament to the positive impact one individual can have on their community.

Di Tran’s parting words to Demarcus were a blessing and a recognition of his innate qualities: “God bless you, sir, you’ve got it. Just keep doing it.” In a world where kindness and personal responsibility are needed more than ever, Demarcus Hillsman stands out as a true face of kindness, embodying the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

A Lesson from Di Tran’s “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH”: Embracing Responsibility and Empowerment

Post author By Di Tran
Post date July 2, 2023

Di Tran, in his soon-to-be-released book, “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH,” imparts a vital lesson he once learned about fear: the fear of dirt, the fear of germs, the fear of untidy surroundings, and the fear of taking responsibility for oneself. This profound realization came to him through an allegorical tale shared by a priest during a Sunday mass at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Destin, Florida.

The tale spoke of a man who, after entering a public restroom, was taken aback by its deplorable state. The man cried out to God, questioning, “God, why is this restroom so dirty? How can I use it? I thought you created all things for me, as you have always stated in the Bible.” In response, God shared a profound wisdom, “I created you first, and so you create things just as I do.”

Intrigued by this response, the man embarked on a transformative journey. He began to assume responsibility for his surroundings, cleaning up where he could, wiping mirrors, keeping public places tidy, and picking up litter. It was a small change, but it reflected a significant shift in his mindset.

This story resonated with Di Tran significantly. It spoke volumes about our innate human capacity for creativity and influence, as well as the responsibility that comes with it. Through this tale, he came to a critical realization: we are the creators, the power, and the reason. We are the source of everything good and not-so-good in our lives.

Di Tran’s book underscores the notion that the fundamental essence of human life is the human being itself. Our fears, insecurities, and apprehensions often obscure this truth, causing us to shy away from taking charge of our lives. But by dropping the fear and focusing on the faith, as Tran suggests, we can assume responsibility for our lives and our environment.

The fear of dirt, germs, or an unkempt environment, at its core, is a fear of loss of control. This fear can become debilitating, leading to anxiety and a sense of powerlessness. However, the story illustrates that we are indeed in control. Just as the man began to clean up the restroom, so too can we take action to confront our fears, clean up our messes, and create a better world.

Di Tran’s lesson teaches us that we are not helpless bystanders in the world; instead, we are active participants and creators. By acknowledging this, we recognize our inherent power and responsibility. The conditions we fear are often those we have the power to change. By choosing to engage with our surroundings and taking responsibility, we can alter the situations we initially feared.

In conclusion, “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH” serves as a reminder of our potential and our ability to effect change. Through a simple act of cleanliness, we can learn to let go of fear, embrace our power, and cultivate a spirit of positivity and faith in our lives. As Di Tran compellingly demonstrates, it is through these actions that we become the creators of our reality.

Community Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Leadership Development Self-Improve Workforce Development

Perception, Responsibility, and Non-Judgment: Navigating Life’s Challenges

Post author By Di Tran
Post date June 3, 2023

Introduction

Our perception of the world, along with the recognition, understanding, and knowledge of what we encounter, shapes our lives significantly. It is often said, “If you see it, recognize it, understand it, and know it, then do something about it. It is your responsibility.” This phrase, while insightful, isn’t without its limitations. Equally true is, “Everyone has their own limitation in seeing, understanding, comprehending, feeling, and attaching to something, then even when it’s their job, it’s not necessarily they can do something about it.”

Seeing and Recognizing: Acknowledging Problems

There’s a Buddhist teaching that says, “With our thoughts, we make the world.” This highlights the profound role our perception plays in how we encounter and interact with reality. Life is a myriad of experiences that can be seen as problems or opportunities depending on our perspective. Recognizing a problem is the first step towards solving it. As Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once observed, “To recognize a problem is halfway to solving it.”

Understanding and Knowing: The Key to Responsibility

Understanding a problem involves empathizing with its complexity. It is where knowledge and intuition intersect. According to Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, “Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people.” Here, Jung implies that by understanding and knowing our problems, we can better handle the challenges we face. Taking responsibility becomes natural once we genuinely understand a situation.

Everyone’s Limitations: The Impediments to Action

However, as humans, we have limitations in our perception, comprehension, and the depth of our emotional attachment. This can restrict our ability to act, even when we feel responsible. This limitation isn’t a character flaw, but an inherent part of our human condition. As American author Harper Lee famously wrote in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This underlines the importance of empathy in acknowledging others’ limitations.

Non-judgment and Personal Responsibility: Towards a Better Self and Society

As we navigate life’s challenges, being non-judgmental towards others and holding ourselves to high standards can lead to personal growth and societal harmony. The stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” This principle can be applied to judgment as well, encouraging us to listen and empathize more and judge less.

On the other hand, being strict with oneself fosters resilience and personal growth. American novelist James Baldwin wrote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” This suggests that we must confront our personal issues before we can hope to address them.

God’s Burden: Challenges as Pathways to Strength

In religious teachings, there is a belief that God doesn’t burden a soul beyond its capacity. In Islam, for example, this concept is explicitly mentioned in the Quran (2:286). This suggests that the challenges we face are proportionate to our capability to bear them and are meant to strengthen us, not others.

Conclusion: The Metaphor of Sand in the Eye

In essence, we need to stop worrying about the sand in others’ eyes and instead focus on our own. This metaphor, which is a variation of a saying from the Bible (Matthew 7:3), reminds us to focus on our issues before we scrutinize others. As we strive to navigate life’s challenges, let us be aware of our perceptions, take responsibility, respect our limitations,

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