If you feel bad about how effective you are with Delegation, look at God. As we like to say these days “… you had one job…..”. He set up… wait for it.. the ENTIRE universe. Like I remind people often, everything you see around you comes from about 28 lego blocks (elements) and a half-a-dozen equations (Newtonian Motion and Maxwell’s Equations). Not bad for another phrase we see now – Design Thinking. And then He turned it over to …. us. We had our free run of the joint, including our own ability to decide what to do and what not do to do. We had the ability to chose what we did – if it aligned with our “boss” great, and if not, well… we would sort that out later. There was really only one rule – don’t eat of this ONE tree. Seemed easy enough right?
Every generation thinks they have it uniquely hard… the sides are more calcified, there is not a chance of peace or coming together, and we need better leaders. If only we had better leaders… Yeah… well if you go ALL the way back, the repeating story is …. once we left the Garden, it was pretty much on us to make things work out, and we are mostly inept at it. Even if you are not a believer, reading the Old Testament as a history of people is pretty dark. Think about it – the first son killed his brother. Not an auspicious start to beginning “humanity”. And the rest of those 40 books is generation after generation trying to figure it out on their own with lots of rules and regs, and even the desire for… better Kings.
Today’s song was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for a musical that you have never heard of … St. Louis Woman. It became a standard through the late ’50s, and Art I think helped with that being the fourth artist to release it. Since this is Jazz, you won’t’ hear the great lyrics, which I will put below. But even in the music, you get the sense that this is an upbeat and inspirational tune, and perfect for our conclusion on Art. As a man of the mid Century, he had lots of passions in addition to music – women, drugs, alcohol. And as a Black Man in that era, much of that was because of his surroundings and the systems around him. And… none of that turned him dark or a victim…
….he played into his 70’s with the Messengers forming and reforming around him. Jazz itself went into a dark period through the late ’60s and early ’70s, and yet Europe continued to enjoy the music and that meant he kept the band touring. In 1979 he had a couple of brothers from New Orleans join his now 11 piece band, along with a young guitar player… you guessed it probably. Wynton and Brandford Marsalis.. and Kevin Eubanks… all names you know now started touring with Art. A writer summarized it this way “When jazz was in danger of dying out [during the 1970s], there was still a scene. Art kept it going”. Better was something recounted by one of the many members of the band – “He taught me how to be a man. How to stand up and be accounted for”. He passed in 1990 at the age of 71… with a funeral of great musicians playing music he made famous… not a bad legacy.
… I return to where we started the week – what legacy do you want to leave? Is it of Tasks accomplished well – sure that is important. But how that happens – is it with the creativity and unexpected outcomes that come from letting others shine and develop? What do you want on the back page of your resume – the people that you impacted along the journey? I don’t know anything about Art’s faith story, but I am very privileged to know that the man that started this week… with his interest in people he developed… is also a strong believer. There is much to focus on both in our world and in our faith communities… but I like to remind myself that almost every picture of Art was with a huge smile on his face… and a determination to bring that joy and love to those around him. I like to think God has that smile as well.. a little worried, but overall, smiling as he looks at what we are trying to create. As you head into the new week, I wish you that same joy…through all that is happening. Read these as a love song to you.. from the ultimate Delegator….Come Rain and Come Shine…
I’m gonna love you
Like nobody’s loved you
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain
And deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
I guess when you met me
It was just one of those things
But don’t ever bet me
‘Cause I’m gonna be true
If you let me, ooh
You’re gonna love me
Like nobody’s loved me
Come rain or come shine
Happy together
Unhappy together
Now won’t that be fine?
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We’re in or we’re out of the money
But I’m with you always
I’m with you rain or shine
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain
And deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
Well, I guess when you met me
It was just one of those things
Yeah, but don’t ever bet me
‘Cause I’m gonna be true
If you let me, if you let me
Come rain or come shine
Happy together
Unhappy together
Now won’t that be fine?
Now days may be cloudy or sunny
We’re in or we’re out of the money
But I’m with you always, yeah honey
I’m with you always
I am with you always
I’m with you, baby
Rain or shine
