Inspire Action · Brad Carter

Observations, Ideas & Reflections on Leadership from eSwatini

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A new friend…making a difference

January 7, 2009

Someday you’ll hear his story in full. I know you will. Perhaps it will be here on this blog. Perhaps it will be in the local paper. At your church. At a community event. But you’ll hear it…and when someday comes, it will be even better than it is today.

I love meeting people with a passion and a heart to make a difference. Today I had a long conversation with a new friend who I met a year or so ago, but today we really connected. He shared more of his past– a story of destructing the neighborhoods and city of Abilene and countless lives– and his present– a story of redemption, passion, and commitment to being part of the solution and a new future story not just for himself, but for our city, its neighborhoods (particularly one he worked so hard to destroy not so long ago) and the lives of young men living his earlier story.

One of the blessings of “connecting” is being inspired, challenged, and grateful for work already being done in neighborhoods where very little positive is being done.

One of the curses of being in nonprofits is the limited resources to support, encourage, build-up and increase the good work of those who are truly making a difference in our city.

When asked his biggest need to continue his work, he replied “credibility.” I’m glad he’s not waiting for someone to tell him he has credibility to care. I’m pretty confident there will be more on this at another time as my new friend and I build our friendship.

Filed Under: Community renewal, Neighborhood, Nonprofits Tagged With: Abilene, friends, passion, people, redemption, Texas

Email from a neighbor

December 28, 2008

I received this email from a neighbor yesterday…they didn’t know I had begun blogging. It’s a comment about my wish (previous post) and the others in the paper. I thought I’d share it with you…

I realize your job requires you to be more insightful concerning relationships and their importance…but I was disturbed that so many thought another restaurant or entertainment would answer all of Abilene’s problems.  I believe Abilene is a wonderful place to live, but not because everything is convenient that we desire….  The people make it wonderful.  Neighbors knowing neighbors and families spending time together rather than just spending money would cut crime and make everyone take greater responsibility for making this an even better place to live.  It is no wonder that the deprived children in underdeveloped countries are happier than our children.
I do love Abilene and its people.
Thank you for your wisdom  and approach to building better communities.
I agree with this emailer! People, not stuff, are important.
What say you?

Filed Under: Community renewal, Neighborhood Tagged With: Abilene, Abilene Reporter-News, neighbor, relationships

My Abilene Wish

December 25, 2008

Brad's Wish in the ARNI responded to the question from the Reporter-News this week, “What’s your wish for Abilene?” Today many answers were featured in the paper. They ranged from shopping and an Abilene water park (really?) to jobs, etc. My picture and answer from page 6A is what you see here.

25 words was a bit of a challenge…I’m just now starting to blog…I’m not a Twitterer yet (see first post). But I answered none the less. My biggest disappointment in my answer– they forgot to capitalize two important letters.

Chocolate Bar. I didn’t want a chocolate bar, but a Chocolate Bar. One of Houston’s only redeeming qualities is this wonderful place on West Alabama where I would go everyday if I could– especially for the Triple Decadence or Creamy Dreamy Truffle homemade ice cream. If you’re one to make the mistake of visiting Houston, make time to go to the Chocolate Bar.

The other things I wrote I believe– our city would be a much different place if neighbors knew each other. And our neighborhoods would be better places with a little life– like pocket parks and community gardens. Luckily for me, I’ve got friends in my neighborhood who want to see this happen, too.

It’s got to come bottom up from the neighbors, because it won’t happen top-down.

Merry Christmas.

Filed Under: Community renewal, Family, Media, Neighborhood Tagged With: Abilene, gardens, Houston, parks, Reporter-News, Texas

My African Education

I’m blogging about leadership, learning, and life from the Kingdom of eSwatini. Reflecting from my cross-cultural work in Christian higher education at African Christian College and entrepreneurial efforts like UKWAZI Makadamia and the Locavore Farmers Market.

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