Questions, Answers. Reflexes, Hesitations.

The first full day with no hand holding is in the books. I find myself constantly checking myself.

In any given moment, I feel myself straining to focus on my stated objectives of building and sustaining the necessary systems and infrastructure for disaster preparation and response, while shutting out the distractions, the gravy, of all the Red Cross courses. Then I remember that I’m not nearly as smart as I think I am. While the primary means of reaching the goals may be an exercise in politics, the shaping of the goals themselves depend on that requisite experience and coursework.

I also find myself ready to hop out of my desk chair and into my car, to explore every acre of the region, to find an answer to every question as soon as it is asked. But no. Instead, I recall the hard-learned lessons from my mentors at CSC: Respect the schedule. Sustainable progress, rightly, takes considerable time to achieve. Sometimes, you just have to wait. But use that time waiting to effectively prepare, to get the help you need. The moment will soon come when you can wait no longer; when action is required. Act, then, to your fullest potential.

So far, I am very impressed with all of the Red Cross staff, here in the Heart of Tennessee chapter -- particularly with the leadership of our CEO, Greg King. All have done a great job of making me feel welcome and providing me with everything that I need to do my job. Greg has already met with several local leaders who, according to him, whish to meet and have discussions with me. I am excited to learn from these people and to do whatever I can to help. They include, I am told, representatives from the Air Force, the Department of Corrections, the Chamber of Commerce, et al.

I have spent a fair amount of time today developing questions to ask when I finally do meet these people. For every agency, organization, and community I need answers to the following: What is our history? What is our status? What is our potential? How do we achieve it? How do we sustain it?

And finally, the ultimate question: Why?

The answer? Ask Bob Dylan:

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You may be an ambassador to England or France,

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

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But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.