The Burden of Leadership

The Burden of Leadership

The painting above is an encaustic and oil on a masonite panel.  I painted it while at our Retreat in Denare Beach in August of this year.  Looking at it now I decided to title it as above because it struck me that this man, sitting on his throne of horns, has a lot to think about. Canada just recently lost a potentially great leader in Jack Layton, a man I admired from the moment I became aware of him.  It is my opinion that great leaders hold their constituents before them and put their personal desires behind, in favor of serving their country first and foremost.  I honestly don't see that in Canada right now and I think I am old enough now to know the difference. A writing by Lao Tzu comes to mind:

It is better not to make merit a matter of reward

Lest people conspire and contend,

Not to pile up rich belongings

Lest they rob,

Not to excite by display

Lest they covet.

A sound leader's aim

Is to open people's hearts,

Fill their stomachs,

Calm their wills,

Brace their bones

And so clarify their thoughts and cleanse their needs

That no cunning meddler could touch them:

Without being forced, without strain or constrain,

Good government comes of itself.