[blockquote text=’I spend several hours each week in my home office to think, read, and write. In addition to the weekly leadership blog post and podcast, I would like to connect with you on a more personal level to share books, stories, quotes, and principles that have recently impacted me. I hope it will encourage you on your journey of growth and discovery.
-Wes Saade, M.D.’ text_color=’#ffffff’ width=’95’ line_height=’undefined’ background_color=’#aaaaaa’ border_color=’#dba400′ show_quote_icon=’no’ quote_icon_color=’#dba400′]
I hope you?ve had a great week!
This week I followed what I always recommend to my patients: I got my yearly physical. However, I am embarrassed to admit this was my first EVER physical as an adult. (Sometimes doctors are the worst patients.) I also put it on my computer calendar to repeat yearly.? Dr. Ragland did a great job. If you live in the Fort Worth area, you should come see her.
So here is what I learned this week!
Book I Read This Week:?Compelled
I just finished reading Compelled by Dr. Toni Grover.? This is a book about the heinous crime of human trafficking.?? I will be interviewing Dr. Grover about her book for the Aspire To Lead podcast next week.? Her interview will be posted next month. You won?t want to miss it.
The statistics are shocking!? I believe we should all be aware and participate in solving this inhumane and merciless cruelty. Here are some facts:
- An estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world today!
- Globally the average cost of a slave is $90, while during the height of slavery a few hundred years ago it was $40,000 in today?s dollars.
- Approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation and 19% involves labor exploitation.
- The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the U.S. is 12 to 14 years old.?Many victims are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children.
- Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year.
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline receives more calls from Texas than any other state in the US.?15%?of those calls are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Since I live in the Fort Worth area, this last statistic got my attention. I am looking forward to interviewing Dr. Grover to further learn from her what we can do as individual citizens to help eradicate this ugly crime.
This book is 165 pages long, clear, and well-written. It contains many helpful resources if you are interested in getting involved in this worthy cause. Here is the Amazon link if you would like to purchase Compelled.
Quotes That Impacted Me
My religion is kindness. – Dalai Lama 
Language does have the power to change reality. Therefore, treat your words as the mighty instruments they are – to heal, to bring into being, to nurture, to cherish, to bless, to forgive. – Daphne Rose Kingma
Steve Jobs said his real job is to constantly reinforce the vision of his company.
Just because you are offended does not mean you are right. – Unknown
Never get overwhelmed by the scale of a challenge. ?An inch is a cinch, a yard is very hard. Just keeping inching forward and something that seems impossible, soon will be right there before you. – Chris Fischer, Founder of Ocearch, sharing what his parents used to tell him
Stories That Touched Me
Two Wolves: A Native Cherokee Tale
A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.” The grandson asked him, ?Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?? The grandfather answered, “The one I feed.”
I invite you to share your leadership journey with me as well in the comments section below or by leaving me a voicemail with the tool on the right side of the Aspire website. I look forward to connecting with you!
I hope your weekend is fun and relaxing!?Keep learning and keep growing, my friend.
Lead with love and courage!
Your Friend,
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