The word ‘Chairman’ in many minds may conjour up pictures of well-dressed and groomed individuals leading an organisation, company, Trust, NGO etc.

However as I shared in a blog a couple of weeks back, I recently worked as a driver for guests on a horse-riding safari in Namibia. Other than trying to be a diligent driver, it was obviously very apparent to the staff of Namibia Horse Safari Company, (NHSC) that I had ALL the attributes of a successful Chairman…or should that read “Chair Man” 🙂

You see, within a day of coming alongside the amazing support crew of NHSC, they identified these inherent skills and attributes and gave me the job (which they assured me was vital) of unpacking, opening and placing the camp chairs necessary at each lunch stop and end of day camp site as well as packing them away again once they had served their purpose! Admittedly the packing back into the trailer was a job best left to Rain or Phoebe as there was a definite knack to it, learnt only after months of practice! I’ve read to be an expert at anything you need to have done it 10,000 times…and these ladies were experts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, before you laugh…yes I can see those cheeky grins starting…….I was told by at least 1 guest…ok to be precise…it was literally 1 guest, that the sight of the chairs after a hard morning, or afternoon’s ride was a welcome respite from the bum on the saddle (or words to that effect) 🙂

The truth is I took the job seriously (as I do with most things I’m responsible for), and enthusiastically placed the chairs in the semi-circle, normally facing a great vista or around the camp fire in the evening. I would check for the look of delight in the face of the riders and staff as they saw what I felt were impeccably placed chairs.

But that look of delight wasn’t there, and one by one they sat or slept in them :-). As they sat, I enthusiastically helped the leader of the ride, Andrew and his right hand man Gerard with orders for drinks to quench the guests’ thirsts. Each one expressed their thanks for the respite from dry throats and dehydrated bodies. Only afterwards as I reflected on the trip, it struck me the appreciation was always there for the drinks, but not so for the chairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to be clear, I don’t share this to feel sorry for myself, but as a reflection on how we can overlook the efforts of so many around us who daily carry out acts of serving others, without any gratitude or words of encouragement from those served. It challenged me with how I’ve been in the past, when holding positions of leadership ‘over others’, or in my every day life as I am served by petrol attendants, waiters, toll gate tellers….and even closer to home, my wife who cooks great meals for our family and serves us and others as a natural course of her day!

My challenge is to daily recognise the ‘Chair Men’ and ‘Chair ladies’ of this world and take time to acknowledge their role and give thanks and respect for their efforts….so to those reading this who fit the role, I salute you all!

Living just over 60 years as a “Baby Boomer’ and being involved in numerous ‘careers’ over  4 of those decades, I find myself as a ‘1 year old’ Tour guide in the beautiful yet challenging country of South Africa.  From military pilot, to sales guy, missionary and Co-founder of a Care center for abandoned and HIV/AIDS babies, the journey has certainly been diverse! I don’t believe its ‘by chance’ I am where I am now, but by Divine appointment. Thanks to encouragement from a friend Dave Ramsay and a course we co-facilitated called ‘Gifting uncovered, Purpose defined’ I was led to pursue this new venture!

Now, whilst most my age are either already in or considering retirement, my personal circumstances and a desire to use the energy I still have to live in my passions, motivates me to pursue yet another new career. The following words in the song “A whole new World”, from the movie Aladdin, resound in my heart and capture what I’m experiencing;

A dazzling place I never knew
But when I’m way up here, it’s crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world with you
Now I’m in a whole new world with you)

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feelings
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world
Don’t you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath, it gets better

I’m like a shooting star
I’ve come so far
I can’t go back
To where I used to be

A whole new world
Every turn a surprise

With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red letter
I’ll chase them anywhere
There’s time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you.

 One year since I qualified as a guide, I have indeed discovered my own “Whole new World”, and what a wonderful adventure it has already been! The added blessing of it all comes down to the final line of the song ‘Let me share this whole new world with you’.

From those who have ventured on the tours with me, to those who have read my posts, each has shared in my #Babyboomerguideadventure. From Magnificent scenery, game and sea creature viewing, township tours, Mountain ascents, wine tasting, Aquaculture, tours, Amazing race adventures, golf tours, boat trips, coffee and tea excursions and so much else in between…all in the space of a year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I look forward to what is to come in this ‘whole new world’ , with ‘new horizons to pursue’ and also invite you to ‘hold your breath, it gets better’ . Engaging, conversing, exploring and breathing in all there is to appreciate and enjoy….what a journey awaits.

I Invite you in to enjoy the #Babyboomerguideadventure…..I come recommended 🙂

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