To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

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This is Us

(Photo Creds:We Heart It)

At a holiday meal last Monday my dear friends all shared how I just HAD to watch this new drama, ‘This is Us.’ This wasn’t the first time I had heard this, so I committed to doing something I had never done, which is “binge” watch this season.  I’m about three fourths through…staying up way later than normal.

If you know me… I don’t do that without a really good reason – and let me tell you folks, this is a good reason. THIS IS US is pretty much AMAZING in every way. I highly recommend it!

The picture above captures the theme of the story.  It’s love and cold and struggles and warmth all wrapped up into a beautiful scene… many beautiful scenes. It’s perfect. The NBC website describes it as “refreshingly honest.” It is that and more. It is us. It is all of our lives, woven together by fabrics of many colors.

As I age, I learn that the crazy parts of my childhood are maybe not as crazy as my mind created them to be. That all people have stories… stories that are both amazing and stories that are sad and sometimes messed up. What I’ve also learned is that life wouldn’t be as beautiful if we couldn’t contrast that with the not so “beautiful.” I’ve learned that fantasies of sugar plums dancing and the perfect family involves scenes that don’t make there way into Facebook feeds and photo albums.

The contrast is what allows us to highlight and cherish the good and it takes it all to make our lives fulfilled and magical.

‘This is Us’ is really good. I think it will help us all love better and serve better.

Joy is a function of gratitude and gratitude a function of perspective

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This phrase stopped me in my tracks. I was simply reading yesterday’s advent message and I had to take a moment to let this idea soak in. I get the idea that once we are grateful we can be more joyful. That seems simple to grasp. If I can understand how blessed I am and call those areas out, my life is happier and more joyful.

The second part hit me, because I think since gratitude does have to come first and we have to realize it’s not that simple if your perspective has shifted. Like most of you, I have many friends and family that have a different perspective due mainly to unfathomable loss that they have experienced. This can be in their health or of someone they care for, loss of a relationship, or even the sudden loss of a loved one. THESE REAL LIFE REALITIES NO DOUBT SHIFT your perspective and possibly can get some stuck in “neutral.”

This “neutral” creates, in some situations, not necessarily a heart nor soul that is ungrateful but a heart that can’t quite get to full gratitude and joy. After all, the pain is real, and our human nature causes us to not easily hurdle over pain to shouting joy to the world.

So, what to do? As you know, the goal of my writing almost always goes back to how to best SERVE WELL in our homes, communities and workplaces/schools etc. We really need to remember that we have an entire world around us that isn’t feeling joyful during this season. We need to maintain an empathetic PERSPECTIVE and do what we can to be that smile and that listening ear to possibly help move someone out of neutral and into gratitude & ultimately joy.

Have an amazing holiday weekend!

Who is that one person….?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Who is that one person that you meet with BUT not often enough? That person that no matter what, when you do get to share a conversation, they make you better? You leave smiling. You walk away going, “wow, I’m blessed.”

This question is a bit of a trick question, because at least for me, there is no way I could narrow this down to one person. Now, let’s make this a bit more difficult and unless there is absolutely no one else, let’s not think of dear friends or neighbors we see often, or immediate family members.

I did this little exercise a couple of weeks ago; reached out and scheduled lunch… AND, THIS IS THE WEEK. I get to meet with three of the coolest people and boy am I excited!

There is not much that should make us more “JOY CENTERED” than being with those people that most certainly God placed in our path for a reason, to change us for the better and create a life fulfilled.

Your challenge today is to at least come up with one…reach out and put it on the calendar.  A walk in the snow, a mid-day coffee break, a meal to break bread with those you love. Make it happen! I’d love to know if you joined me on this challenge.

Simple thoughts Sunday: JOY

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love the JOY of this picture. I’ll never forget the first real snow my dog experienced years ago. She ran, galloped, rolled and literally jumped INTO THE JOY. This is our opportunity this week. It’s Advent week three and the theme is JOY.

As Christians, we begin to let the season sneak into our hearts. No matter your faith, we all find ourselves singing along to favorite Christmas songs… ‘Baby it’s cold outside,’ ‘Mary did you know,’ Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you,’ and the ol’ faithful songs like ‘O Holy Night.’

Those famous lyrics seem to GENERATE JOY and a feeling that something “is different” about today – about the season we are in. It IS DIFFERENT. It’s special.

As you go into your week, my prayer is that you will not only find JOY AROUND EVERY CORNER, but that you will EMBRACE the reason for this season.

For those who want to go deeper, the following is the Prayer of Peace of St Francis of Assisi (St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history (had to look that one up). Even though this was written likely in the late 1100s, it stands true today.) 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is discord, union.  Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, HOPE.

Where there is darkness, LIGHT.

Where there is sadness, JOY.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!

A game plan for having more energy!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Who doesn’t need more energy? I know, I know, there are some of you who drink 10 cups of coffee a day and seem to be able to move through the day like a modern day superhero.

Some joke that I have an enormous amount of energy… As I age, I am thinking “what the heck is going on?” It’s true, I’ve always felt that most times, I have more than enough energy to conquer the days, but not so much now. This is a frequent conversation point among friends and colleagues that feel the same way. It also seems that regardless of age, it’s a concern… maybe our world has just gotten so fast-paced and the constant brain drain from our phone usage has caught up with us mere humans.

At any rate, this seemed a timely topic as WE NEED EXTRA ENERGY RIGHT NOW. So, here is a laundry list of energy-boosting tactics we find in every manner of magazine or talk show:

  • Waking up at the same time every day – after getting the 7-8 hours your body needs, of course…
  • Exercising… moving… grooving…
  • Taking multi-vitamins and eating the proper nutrients….

That easy, right? I’m going to throw out a few more specific thoughts, and then I’d love for this to be interactive and have you all chime in with one or two words or thoughts about your own tactics. It indeed takes a village, so learning from one another is ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. Here are some of mine:

  • TAKE A NAP… Yep, I’m a napper. I only do this on the weekends, and when time allows. I make every effort to make time for this. I have learned over time that giving your body this “extra” rest is rejuvenating for the soul!
  • H2O! I kick off the morning with a glass of warm water. I’m not sure where I learned this, but some speaker when I was in my 20s. It’s been a great add to my daily rituals. Give it a try. It’s hydrates you early on and seems to get the blood flowing.
  • GET OUTSIDE! I’m really grateful for my dog, because honestly she makes this SO MUCH EASIER. Getting outside a few times a day, whether heat or cold outside, is just a good thing to do… Tucking my phone away and breathing in the fresh air, looking up at the sky and watching nature evolve through the seasons, is life filling….

Okay… YOUR TURN! 

Why we must be on the look out to STEAL GREAT IDEAS

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(Photo Creds: The Robinhood Foundation, NYC)

Just 2 years after I graduated from high school, successful business man Paul Tudor Jones founded the Robin Hood foundation in NYC with a goal to improve the lives of those who live in poverty.

For 28 years now, the organization has been at it in a unique way, combining investment principles and philanthropy to find, fund and create programs that support their goal. Over time they have expanded to also support relief efforts, such as those needed with Hurricane Sandy. According to last year’s estimates, giving to this foundation provides a 15:1 return on investment, which is significant and a place that donors can feel good about. The key statement in all of that to me, is that they CREATE…solutions, ideas, programs that move toward their mission.

I chose this topic today, because the idea of being innovative is always top of mind for me. One of my personal philosophies has always been to be “ON ALERT FOR GREAT IDEAS.” If you take time to look around – especially outside of your own industry, family or environment – you can count on being INSPIRED and even yes, STEAL THOSE IDEAS and CREATE YOUR OWN from that seed that was planted.

Our communities need all of the INNOVATION that we can create in order to solve the problems and issues of today. I encourage you to embrace this idea, keep your eyes and ears open and MAKE AN IMPACT. If you get some extra time, explore Robin Hood’s website, it’s a cool story.

It’s LAUNCH TIME!

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(Photo Creds:Rodrock Homes)

New seasons of life are fun, exciting and also scary! My family and I just “dug dirt” on a new home last month, and today I am launching my new and improved website. I call it phase 2.0. I think maybe I should call the move something else, something clever. I’m open to ideas! I tell my friends that this is my “big girl” house, complete with a guest bedroom that is actually safe from kid toys, teenage God-knows-what and most importantly, a lovely refuge for those I adore to get a good night’s sleep. It’s definitely a time of “ground breaking” all the way around, and a season that I am really looking forward to seeing where God takes it all (but it is a bit scary… needless to say! But what’s life without a little risk taking?).

If you, or anyone you know is in a season of “ground breaking” — change in any way, shape or form — I have found the following to be helpful when thinking about change:

1. It’s an opportunity for personal growth
If you’ve read my blogs at all you probably know that I am big on this need to constantly learn. I’ve heard it from wise teachers, centurions and respected leaders… That’s enough for me. Personal growth is critical to our happiness and change provides the occasion for us to dive in and grow. The “STRETCH” that happens with change gives us what we need to move toward our potential.

2. It provides a platform for re-evaluating life’s priorities
Whenever you are starting something new, you naturally think through how this aligns with your personal values and priorities. With the blog, well, I knew I wanted to continue to grow in that area so that was fairly easy. With the house, I had to put it to prayer for quite some time before I had discernment. At the end of the day, I want a home that my boys and eventually their families and my grandchildren will find refuge and fun in. I want to entertain and bring in community, to provide a refreshing place for all. (Oh, and I also want my guest room!)

3. Change adds EXCITEMENT
Without a season of planting we wouldn’t have the harvest. I can only imagine how boring the farmer’s market would be without HARVEST. Without change, we’d have a bunch of ugly caterpillars and no beautiful butterflies — you get the picture. One brings the other, and the other is often MORE EXCITING!

As I embark on this new “season” you can rest assured I’ll be focused on both the growth and the “STRETCH” that surely will come. I hope to share words of inspiration and insights along the way that I hope will also expand your personal growth.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR EMAIL ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THIS POST AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG ALSO BY EMAIL.  

Some notes about the blog…

I kicked off the website and blog in June of 2015 with the goal of just taking the step to get started. I have known for quite some time that I am meant to write, and blogging gives me an opportunity to do that on a consistent basis. I am also about 70 percent through my first book, To Serve Well.  (I have no specific time that I want to release that but I feel like it will be before my big 50, so I have one year and five months, but who’s counting!)

I hope that the fresh look on this site will not only be more visually appealing, but allow those that land there to find posts and other resources or materials that will enrich their lives. SERVING WELL in this world is so important, and what we are all called to do. Having others come alongside and help us so that we can achieve that is a key of this site. I love it when folks take time to comment and share their thoughts on whatever the topic is so that others can learn and grow from each other.  

I will still be posting three times a week, with Simple Thoughts Sunday being posted on Sunday early evening with the goal of inspiring your week. This posting generally has spiritual content. I also post on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and those are intended to focus on serving well in the community, home and workplace. If you have any ideas for me, I’d love to hear them! If you want to write a guest post, I’d also love that!  

I’d love to give a shout out to my design team, Ruthie Stark, photographer and Andrea Corless, MO Design & Illustration — Both of these ladies are beyond amazing and have made me better through this process. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

And We Rise…

blog_848506_2968649_1476929738(Photo: Nancy and Denise were able to make it to all MLB ballparks over the last few years… How cool is that?)

James Taylor’s famous song, “You’ve got a friend” calls it out well…

“You just call out my name,
And you know where ever I am…
I’ll come running…
Oh yeah, to see you again…
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall,
All you have to do is call…
And I’ll be there, yeah yeah yeah…
You’ve got a friend…”

When my friend Denise was battling breast cancer, her best friend, Nancy Cline, showed us all what it looked like to be a real friend. Michelle Robin, another good friend, told me that she had learned from Nancy what it was like to be a true friend, and that she hoped to rise to that level. My observation was the same. I stood in awe and hoped that I would also rise if called to the bar she set.

Nancy’s care and love was so real, so raw and touching, that you felt you were in the presence of a saint, an angel or someone who truly was anointed. When you consider this insight and example today, I hope that you will allow yourself to go deep and truly think about your dear friends and how you care for them. I know upon my own assessment that I love well, but I’m not sure I get an A. Nancy showed me and those lucky enough to witness her in action a few things I believe deserve all of our attention….

  1. Love when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
  2. Give your whole self.
  3. When needed, shift your life’s priorities so that what needs the most attention receives it.

All of these are about intention, which is what we talk about a lot in this blog. Living fulfilled lives… serving well… All requires being intentional. If you aren’t, you spend the night at a PTA meeting instead of at the home of your dear friend in need.

Can I ask you who needs you more at that point in time? I know it’s hard… life seems to consume us… I’m guilty. It shouldn’t be hard. Nancy has clarified this for me, it is simply about who needs you and sacrificing personal or perceived other needs to be where you are needed the most.

This blog could be three pages, but I want it to stay focused. Focused on the clear message Nancy gave us and that is to RISE. Rise to be the friend you hope to be!

Nancy, we thank you for your heart, your example and pray that many lives will be enriched because of how well you serve.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Iron indeed sharpens Iron

blog_846930_2967466_1476570633(Photo creds: Pinterest)

I can’t imagine my life without those that surround me and sharpen me. It is one of the lessons I try to impart upon my boys, although, for boys I know it is different. Boys don’t naturally share with one another like girls do, but it is just as important for them. God designed us this way.

Today, I thought it would be a great time to just sit down and make a list of those that have sharpened me and when possible send them a quick thanks…

To the teacher that invested in my life, drawing out a young girl, inspiring, pushing gently, pulling at times, but always encouraging, thank you!

To my sister who was and is the one who has the “hard conversations” and who also celebrates life’s important moments with us, thank you!

To the gals in my personal tribe, friends from many groups… WOW… I am far better because of all of you, thank you!

To my many peers at work… I couldn’t begin to list them, but I think of early mentors, both nice ones and the ones that seemed to be a little too tough on the younger generation… I especially appreciate those lessons now and glad there was a balance, thank you!

To my mentors or mentees… I have learned an equal amount from each of them, thank you!

To my boys who bring an entire new meaning to to “sharpen” and “iron” – haha! They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself from early morning feelings, to late night talks about college life… (And I won’t give up on the whole “boys need to be in community too” part…) Thank you, boys!

Who has “sharpened” you… raised the bar… elevated your “game”? I bet they’d love to hear from you this week!

Fire up the JOY: A retro post worth repeating

blog_845031_2965601_1476144341I love this post so much from last October that it bears repeating!

  1. JOY is CONTAGIOUS – It spreads the type of ENERGY needed to THRIVE! If you are in the workplace and happen to be a leader, well then, this may just help your employee satisfaction or engagement as well! Bottom line: Folks want to work, live and SERVE where they are happy!

  2. JOY makes a person MORE PRODUCTIVE! – I don’t know about you, but getting a bit more done in my given 24 hours would be a huge positive! Check out this great little article to back that up.

  3. JOY can MAKE YOU HEALTHIER! This little article outlines nicely the great benefits which include reducing stress, solving problems easier and fighting disease! I am ALL ABOUT all of those! A great blog post here that goes a bit deeper!

As you get moving on this BUSY TUESDAY (busiest day of the work week, in case you didn’t know), remember to take some time to SPREAD JOY! I promise you will be better for it! By the way, don’t put it off until later, stop now and send three brief messages and FIRE UP the JOY. Best five minutes of your day!