Growing Pains

   “Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving.  We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but sail we must, and not adrift, nor lie at anchor.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes
     Truly one of the most important lessons in leadership that I learned while training to become an officer in the United States Army was directly related to what Mr. Holmes stated above.  I recall being in an intense field training exercise as the radio operator, we had wounded, the Opposing Force (OPFOR) was closing in, chaos was about to take over, the cadet platoon leader at the time was wavering, and then the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in charge of this training mission said in a commanding tone, “It doesn’t matter what decision you make, just decide something and run with it.  The worst thing you can do, is do nothing.”  I learned something very important that day which I’ve obviously never forgotten.  A key to strong leadership is the ability to make a decision and then act on it.
     The longer I’m a part of downtown the more I see we’re far from doing nothing….I see a ship that has set sail.  Don’t think for an instant that we’re adrift down here.  Case in point, the Downtown Merchant’s Association.  We meet once a month to discuss business related issues, plan future events, share information, incubate ideas, etc. and then work very closely with Jackson Downtown Development Corp. (JDDC) to make it happen…and last week’s meeting was another benchmark in the progress of the coming togetherness that’s

materializing.  There’s a zeal for progress in the air and, in collaborating, a force of positive energy is putting wind in the sails of these collective efforts.
     It’s clear to me by the growing attendance to these meetings that zest for a successful downtown has captured our hearts and has motivated us to action.  For the first time ever, our Downtown Merchant’s meeting was forced outside.  Not only because of lack of seating (due to the growth in attendance), but also due to the fact that the Downtown Tavern (the location chosen for November’s meeting) was so busy at 6pm on a Wednesday evening that it was too loud to hold the meeting inside.  Growing pains…that’s what I call that.  …and it’s a good thing.
     I welcome growing pains with open arms.  It means that good things are happening downtown.  It compels us to embrace the challenge and resolve to succeed.  We very simply could choose to waver in the face of conflict or we can hold true to the clarity of our convictions, be confident and courageous, hold to our commitment to act as one, make the tough decisions and run with it.  Herein lies the future of downtown…and from what I’ve seen thus far, there are visionaries in our midst making great things happen.

     Dickson is the owner of The Dickson Gallery of Fine Art at 118 E Lafayette Street. She may be contacted by email at rachel@dicksongallery.com or by phone at 423-9708.