"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -Mark Twain

We all surround ourselves with certain types of people. Some are good influences on us, some are not. You can't choose your family, but you can make choices about friends and aquaintences.

There are those that support and encourage us. People who push us to our very limits and help us to realize our potential. People who stand behind us and encourage us through good times and through bad times. Thease are people who we want in our corner. People whom we know that we can count on when times are bad and we can rejoice with when times are good.

There are also those that are centered on themselves, toot their own horn about accomplishments, position, stature or any other aspect of their life. Those people who can't see the organization around them and how others supported and encouraged their moves to where they are. People who don't look back. Some folks can't recognize where they have been or the support they had to accomplish what they have accomplished. These are the folks you want to keep at arms distance. They are counterproductive to your personnal goals.

The term 'Leader' means a lot to me personnally. A true 'Leader' will ask nothing of their crew that they would not do themselves. They remember where they came from and that they too were once that rookie that knew nothing (or less) about what they were about o get themselves into. A Leader harnesses the ambitions and goals of junior members and encourages the development of their skills to achieve what they have not yet themselves achieved.

Whatever greatness you have achieved, in the fire service or on life, remember those that helped you to get there and realize that you have the power to influance and encourage the next generation of people around you. Help them to achieve. Help them to grow. Help them to bring themselves to accomplish that which has escaped you.

Even a small encouragement from a Chief Officer, Line Officer or Senior Member may be the one moment in time that truely encourages an entire career for a rookie. Remember where you came from and remember to give back to the up-and-comming like those before you gave to you.