Perpetual Motion
Weekly update 7/10/2022 to 7/16/2022 #129
While the laws of thermodynamics say that a perpetual motion machine is not possible, what if it wasn’t a machine? Before I share some thoughts on this though, let me share some of a recent week serving as mayor of the best smalltown in America.
I had a chance to sit down with a few different state officials recently. First, we had a visit from Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Executive Director Denny Spinner and some of his mainstreet team. We exchanged ideas and challenges to see if we can help one another for future programs and projects.
The other meeting was with Indiana Department of Transportation officials related to our public transit program. During that meeting I learned that, in nine years of being with the state, our liaison had never had a mayor that can sit down and help with scheduling and dispatch for their city's transit program. While maybe I shouldn’t be surprised by that, I still am as I see it as part of my role to be able to jump in and help where and when my help is needed. Thank you to everyone involved over several conversations as it is our working together that makes our community a great place to live and work.
Recently, Fire Chief Lucas and I had a chance to sit down and discuss the next part of the fire department's renovation project. He provided updates on the new headquarters being built on West Second Street. After that we reviewed some early pieces on the Station 1 remodel that is next in the series of work. Both of these projects, as well as the city hall renovations, are possible from a bond in 2021. Thank you, Chief, for your work on all things Seymour Fire Department.
Back to that original thought about the perpetual motion machine. Since we know the machine part is not possible, what if we simply looked at what we are inspired by or the energy we put into the world. When I was younger my father worked for the Indiana State Police. I can remember how excited he was to share stories of his day and how he had been able to help this person or that person. Then as the years went by, he didn’t seem to be as excited about what the day had given him. Towards the end of his 23 years, the new had definitely worn off. Now that he has been retired for several years, he looks back with fond memories and appreciates the connections he made with his co-workers during his time with the state. Someone shared the following with me along the same lines. “Back when I was a rookie the older employees were way more fun.” They went on to say that it wasn’t like that now. The person tried to explain that they are now the older employees, and if they aren’t fun, it falls on their shoulders. Everywhere you go in life you will make an impression on someone. That goes both ways, good and bad. For those who have been in your chosen field of work for over 15 years, take a second to think back to a co-worker who you learned from on a regular basis. Now think about one that you didn’t learn as much from. Both have added something to your current situation. As we age, as we grow; as we advance in our careers, we need to try to be the teachers of those following behind us. Some will absorb information like a sponge. Some may be standoffish and not seem like they are picking up anything. Either way, we still have to try to help them when we can because someday they will be the older employee helping to train those behind them. We can’t choose how we will be remembered. We can, however, choose how we want to carry ourselves as we go. Today, I want to close with a quote from Hotelier Chip Conley about thinking of ourselves as a role model. "When any of us thinks of ourselves as a role model - whether that's as a parent being observed by their kids or a leader under the microscope of their followers - it creates a natural stepping up of how we carry ourselves and what we expect from ourselves."