I became a “Gauthier” over 15 years ago when I married my husband. Among many gifts, I gained a sister and two brothers that day. One of them was Ken Gauthier. Ken, an accomplished Mountain Bike Racer and Positivity Leader, recently moved on from this world, leaving many people admiring him.
While leadership development is central to my life’s work, and I have the privilege of working with some of the finest leaders around the country, true leadership influence is rare. It does not necessarily come with a title. It is not regurgitated from what is read in books or on social media. And, it certainly is not acted out in ways that are intended to earn political approval.
Authentic leaders live truthfully, following their intended purpose for the world to experience. This is how Ken Gauthier led.
I was honored to deliver Ken’s Eulogy last week. Inspired by how Ken lived, and how he loved to enhance the life of everyone he encountered, I closed with the below wish:
ZANY GREATNESS
Kathy Tomena Gauthier’s Words,
Inspired by Ken Gauthier’s Life
May you live each day fully,
Doing the things you Love.
May you intersperse hard work with passionate play,
Creating a vibrant life that spreads joy to others.
May you give freely to those you Love,
Cherishing simplicity as the right way.
May you devour knowledge,
Sharing all you know with anyone you meet.
May you ignore popular, ever-fading trends,
Walking confidently in “web-toed-sock-shoe thingies”
(Long after the few people who wore them stopped).
May you only surround yourself with real,
Avoiding senseless distractions.
May you chase each breath,
Not for the sake of just breathing, but to truly capture living.
And, when the moment you’re in weighs heavily,
Or your day is like climbing a mountain,
May laughter be your only medicine.
For this is spending your brief minutes here wisely.
For this is Zany Greatness,
And how you truly win the race!
