TheRocks

I am blessed beyond measure (and can't explain why).  A huge part of that status, however, is due to the fact that I can count many Rocks among my mentors in life.  I've been pondering what makes those rocks ROCKS.  Here are some of the common attributes:

• Big stuff oriented - They remain vigilantly focused on the substantive ideas and behaviors that make us all better and bring us together (and relentlessly choose to de-emphasize or ignore annoying trivial differences).  
• Alignment - They persistently behave in accordance to what they speak (aka, integrity), and teach the same to their mentees.
• Attunement - They pay attention to those around them, both of similar ilk and dissimilar, always seeking a better and deeper understanding of the Other.
• Listeners - They have tremendous capacity to listen, ask good questions, and listen some more.
• Hurtfulness avoidance - They understand that hurtful words cannot be rescinded (even if apologized for), thus they avoid them faithfully.
• Lightness - They understand that none of us escape alive anyway, so they refuse to take themselves too seriously.
• Lovingkindness - They have seemingly infinite ability to love and forgive.

To whom much is given, much is required...