To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

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Are you giving this season what it deserves?

blog_841442_2960922_1475115145(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I was talking with my trainer, Amy Gipson, yesterday and our conversation always goes to the season we are in. Life’s seasons, that is. Although I have found they often follow the actual seasons.

Fall is certainly one of the busiest seasons, and approaches us after one of longer days – hopefully some relaxing ones, too – and the opportunity to soak up the sun. Although we know it’s coming, fall happens upon us almost as a shock to our systems, and soon school starts, work amps up and community activities launch into full speed. In general we become deluged with activities and an instinct to drive toward hitting all of those goals that we started the year with. The fourth quarter push!

Today I wanted to talk about the idea of “embracing the season.” Ask yourself:
“Am I giving this season what it deserves?”

Amy and I both agreed that in order to really give it what it deserves, we have to be intentional with setting boundaries and playing to what our priorities are during this season. If we don’t, somehow the PTO’s priorities become ours and we end up frustrated and overwhelmed.  (The PTO is called other things throughout life: professor, boss, you get the picture.) The idea of balance is probably a myth, but what isn’t a myth is that our balance needs to be monitored, and eventually it must balance for us to stay sane and thriving. It’s truly okay for some days to be 60/40, others 80/20, as long as it measures out in the end in a way that optimizes your life in a holistic way!

As you go into your weekend, spend some time ensuring that you are truly giving this season what it deserves. It may require a few modifications in order to give you and your family peace of mind and allow you to fully embrace it. Several months ago I blogged about that idea of counting our days… According to the “timeanddate.com” app as of today, I have 6,739 days until retirement, and 13,314 days remaining in my life expectancy. That adds up to 144 seasons (calendar seasons that is), or 36 more falls, summers, springs and winters. I don’t know about you but I was thinking that number would be higher…. I am committed to making them count and giving them all what they deserve.

The time is now to EMBRACE THE SEASON.

Choosing who to do life with!

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(Photo Creds:  We Heart It… I so love this picture!)

Life is full of decisions. Decisions on where to go to college, what to study, who to marry, where you will live and grow your family, how you will respond to life in the good and bad times, and perhaps at the top of the list, who you choose to “do life with” in your circle of friends.

Some are lucky enough to meet people in elementary school and still count them as close friends. Some find these friends in college dorms and late night conversation. Some in the workplace, some in church, some in neighborhoods and soccer field side lines. Some by happenstance, some are given to you as a gift and we call those family. We know they change at different times in our life and that is both cool and needed.

What’s important is that we choose wisely. These are the folks that both wipe our tears, lift our spirits, share our dreams, and celebrate with us. They don’t always have to be in our presence, but we are always in their thoughts and prayers. These are the people that run our fan club and don’t judge us when we inevitably say something crazy or simply need to have a pity party. They get us out of the house when we most need it and spur us on through a Tuesday morning text or a Facebook comment that reminds us that they are indeed cheering us on regardless of where we both may be at the moment.

Folks, these people are the “real deal” the one’s that SHOW UP for you and we need them desperately. I think no matter what your age, we should reassess from time to time whether we are truly surrounded with the people that we most need in our lives. People with a positive and honest spirit, and make us better by their presence and concern. If they don’t meet these requirements, perhaps we don’t need to take them into the next season.

I’ve seen this need in both 70 year olds and in elementary school students. Humans are designed to live in communities, and making this process of evaluation an “intentional” part of our life plan ensures that we are surrounded by the support, love and care that we all need to get through this crazy world.

I would love to know if this resonates with you. In the meantime, I’m thinking of just how I could come up with the setting featured in this photo, and invite my circle to celebrate fall in proper fashion!

Serving well when pain rolls in

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After the Dallas police shooting last month, TD Jakes, offered a wonderfully inspirational message that we could all learn from.

The phrase in this picture really made me stop and think about pain and the many forms it takes.

We all quickly rally around the loss of loved ones, lost relationships, and I guess pretty much anything that results in a loss of something we loved. Pain takes many roads, and shows up on all of our door steps. Hidden pain, pain that nags and pain we feel others just couldn’t understand.

Pain comes into our lives at all ages, and even that 7-year-old you see skipping down the street may not have a great home life and may be experiencing great pain. I know, because I was that child.

I of course am using that as an illustration to make sure you get the point, but the hope is you’ll grasp that pain is real and it surrounds us all, and we often don’t know what to do to help. When something happens to a friend, I never know if I should stop by the hospital for a visit, or present my prayers and hope for the best. It’s hard to know if you haven’t been in their shoes.

My thought after talking to some folks who have experienced deep loss, is that you don’t have to UNDERSTAND, you just need to be there in whatever way is authentic for you and shows you care. In times of PAIN, people need to be loved and that comes in many forms. It takes an entire village. Every manner of hope is what we need in our lives and as a country as Bishop Jakes so eloquently shares.

Lean into the pain, both yours and the pain of those in your circle.  We need each other and we need the hope that we can all BRING TO THE WORLD.

What this moment demands

blog_826026_2943120_1471295314Every moment and season of our lives seems to require something different. This blog is a shout out to not only my son Sam (pictured above), but the thousands of camp counselors (student) at Pine Cove Camps, Kanakuk Camps, Camp Barnabas, (and the many other great camps) that have literally given themselves fully this summer to serve others. In their endless days, with little sleep and millions of calories burned, they encounter moment after moment where they have to ask this question: “What does this moment demand?”

A child that is just flat-out tired today and not into the “camp games,” one that isn’t feeling well, one that has more energy than Katie Ledecky and yet another that, no matter what, jumps on you when you least expect it. In every situation, these students have LEARNED to ADAPT, RISE and ULTIMATELY TO SERVE WELL. I haven’t gotten to talk at a deep level with Sam yet, but my mom’s intuition tells me that Sam learned more than he could have imagined and he has a new point of view of what personal sacrifice and dedication looks like.

As we think through this idea of “What does this moment demand,” I believe we also often are required to ADAPT AND RISE UP.

What are you encountering in your life right now? Last week, we talked about hard conversations, and that is certainly an area that requires something different from us. Some others might include…

A friend that just received a cancer diagnosis. What is required of us as their friend? How do we need to RISE to the occasion. How do we need to adapt our life to be there for them and their family?

A child that is struggling in middle school. What is required in this case? Do we need to educate ourselves and read everything we can on these struggles? Do we need to take the time to have meaningful conversations with the school leaders/teachers involved? How can we best serve that child in THIS MOMENT?

A local small business that could use some publicity… Do we even have a role here? You bet! Social media is a tremendous tool today! Tell your friends… Give them a shout out… What else? A community struggling with conflict. Where to even start?

We start by ADAPTING, LEARNING… by RISING UP to the MOMENT!

(Photo creds: Pine Cove Camps)

WELCOME TO PASSION TOWN

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Seriously, what a COOL STATEMENT. At the recent KENNY CHESNEY concert at Arrowhead in Kansas City, he used this phrase to describe our GREAT CITY. I immediately pulled out my phone and put it into my “blog ideas” list. So, he may use this phrase in other cites as well… Heck, maybe he uses it every weekend at his concerts, but you know what, that is awesome if he does!

I hope every person is proud of where they live and recognizes that God put them in that place and that time, in this generation, to LIVE, GROW, and SERVE. This blog is all about becoming people of excellence and about SERVING WELL. I don’t know about you, but I want a PASSION TOWN t-shirt, so I can show off my city and remind myself that I need to show it the PASSION it deserves!

What is so cool about this picture, or a few things to get you thinking:

  1. THE PEOPLE! So, on the stage you have Christa Dubill, Emmy award-winning TV news anchor for channel the local NBC affiliate, who gives so much of her time to this community that it is truly amazing. You also have Gracie Schram, local singer, songwriter and philanthropist who at a very young age began a journey of showing her PASSION. In other words, no matter what your age, JUMP IN. God can and WILL use you! You also have some posters that are showcasing some local executives that stepped up to raise funds for the American Heart Association – how cool is that? They are using their platform in their industry to make a difference. Finally, let’s not forget the volunteers that are flanking the stage. These people give their time, weekends and all,  to make our CITY, well, PASSION TOWN…
  2. THE MESSAGE! This happens to be the AHA Heart Walk, but this is just one of hundreds of great causes that flank our city and that’s what brings out the best in all of us. KC is one of the most generous cities in America!
  3. THE FUN! We make it fun. A little confetti, a little enthusiasm… A Saturday morning that offers the unexpected delight of not only making a difference by raising funds to take care of each other, but the pure JOY of being with friends, new and old and making memories.

These are just the “top of my head” things that make KC PASSION TOWN! I’d love to know if you have others… There are so many! Who’s up for making a shirt?

SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON

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It’s Sunday. It’s Summer.

What better time to take a deep breath, soak up the late summer nights, catch a firefly or two, get around a picnic table, buy some corn on the cob from a local farmer, have a spontaneous gathering of friends over… SEEK COMMUNITY! ENCOURAGE AND LOVE ON ONE ANOTHER! DOGS AND CATS (and BIRDS FOR MY FRIEND AMY) INCLUDED!

Love this scripture, Love this reminder = Deposits are made in so many ways. I’d love to hear your ideas if you’d care to share!

Here’s to you and your tribe having the best week ever this SUMMER! MAKE IT SO!

(Photo Creds: The Zandstra Family – Just beautiful!)

EAST LOCAL! EAT FRESH!

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I am a huge fan of all manner of eating (and drinking) local.

Fun restaurants (hello, Blue Bird Bistro and that amazing bakery next door, Fervere), coffee (my favs are Black Dog and Roasterie), great wine (you must go to Somerset Ridge Winery), and, of course, farmer’s markets (all of them)!

I literally want to just stop and talk to the owners and farmers and find out their story and their goals. I also want to take a part in investing in their work by buying some of their crops and creations. The reality is that I don’t really have time to cook too much and that may just be an excuse like the one I “formerly” used about working out… (Kind of sounds familiar) – I mean, what do you do with an acorn squash? (Actually I forced myself to learn about this. And get this… you only have to bake it like a sweet potato! WHEW, hard work!).

Truly, the reasons why we should “eat local” are many. Check out these reasons why:

  1. By supporting local farmers we are not only eating the healthiest food available to us, but we are creating local jobs. We are also…
  2. Boosting the economy! Local money stays local and that helps us all.
  3. Helping our planet prosper! Less time for food to travel means not only FRESH food, but it means, less fuel and a host of other savings from the distribution process.
  4. It’s good for the “SOIL” and the SOUL! Local food encourages local agriculture and enables us to develop sustainable food resources. Plus, it just makes you HAPPY!
  5. Builds more connected COMMUNITIES. Who doesn’t love the thought of that?

If you are in KC, there is a terrific resource, which is nothing short of awesome! Here you can find an amazing list of all things local in our area and also restaurants and establishments  that serve/sell local products! I JUST LOVE THAT! I know there are similar resources in most communities and it’s worth taking the time to find out what they are!

Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I hope you’ll get out and enjoy some good, locally sourced food and drink! A LIFE OF EXCELLENCE surely includes all manner of local food, coffee and wine! 🙂

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

We Need your Voice

blog_805854_2920748_1465865666I found this sign on my drive back from an appointment last week. I immediately did a U-TURN to snap a picture. I know I have seen business owners/churches, etc use their sign for humorous or inspirational messages before but this one is REALLY GOOD.

It’s SIMPLE and YES, I do need to call my grandmother more often, and probably my dad for that matter. GREAT REMINDER, THANKS SONIC, I’LL DO THAT RIGHT NOW!  IT’S IMPORTANT!

In addition to that thought, I am constantly thinking about how we should all use our voice. Whether you are America’s Drive-In, a 5 year old, or a 105 year old, God gave you a voice. Your voice is your point of view, your story, your contribution. The world needs it. Perhaps more than ever.

Our world is relying on it as a matter of fact. What insights do you need to offer your team at work? Your child? Your city? Raise your hand, write a letter, post a blog, tweet, insta or snapchat. USE YOUR VOICE!

(Photo credit: My own)

Love others RADICALLY

blog_801594_2914028_1464831046These goats are terrific. They are looking at us “as if” asking “What are you doing here, and by the way, if you have some food, that’d be great!” In other words, LOVE ME! When I saw this messaging about being RADICAL in our LOVE I knew it belonged in our conversation about HONOR this week.

SO… WHAT IF…

You went out later today and picked up some flowers (Trader Joes by the way has a great price on amazing flowers every day of the week) and delivered them to someone who totally isn’t expecting them! A neighbor, fellow co-worker, an elderly lady or man walking to their car in the grocery store lot…

Or, If you just went out and mowed the lawn of that neighbor whose yard has clearly gotten out of control. Instead of driving by and lamenting their lack of concern, maybe assume they have had a loss of some kind and can’t physically or emotionally do the “lawn” right now. Just step in and help!

Or, if your gift is cooking, you call up that busy friend of yours and offer to bring them a home cooked meal for no reason!

If you are traveling, give an amazing tip to a staff member who no doubt needs it and typically doesn’t receive tips!

Honor is about loving RADICALLY. How can you SHOWCASE RADICAL LOVE TODAY?

(Photo credit: Me! Featuring my dad’s goats!)

Make VOLUNTEERING a part of your SUMMER PLAN!

blog_801593_2914021_1464656789I have to say that I am so thankful my boys are out of the phase of childhood where they are “looking” for things to do during the summer. I believe school has been out a mere week or two and I have already heard in passing neighborhood kids saying how bored they are.

I can smile now, but God help the parents and care takers during these summer months, that both seem to drag on and are fleeting all at once. As we talk this week about the idea of “honoring” there is one CLEAR message that we can all use, and that is HONORING BY HELPING OTHERS!

Sometimes I feel like I’m helping others, but when you go around the dinner table and ask when you last “volunteered” formally, the often answer is not lately. Now don’t get me wrong, everyday acts of kindness MATTERS and in a HUGE WAY. Honestly, those actions are the positive fabrics in our lives. In fact, a book I read over the long weekend (quoted above) was about that very idea. We are wired to be in “tribes” and a tribe in most cultures represents unity. Unity is found at the most basic level in helping each other to survive, each taking on their role to use the gifts/skills they have can that best serves the group. (This was a fantastic read – short and powerful. I highly recommend it!)

So what should we do this week in order ACT on THIS? For one thing, I’d love to hear what your plans are for summer volunteering. I will be helping with the American Heart Associations Heart and Stroke Walkon Saturday, June 18 and also the Spofford Home’s Community birthday celebration on July 30. I think volunteering with the family or friends at a food bank like Harvesters is a terrific need in our community, and there are literally hundreds of other needs out there ready for a helping hand and a willing heart!

What if we all be sure to incorporate a VOLUNTEER PLAN into our summer schedules?

(Photo credit: Pinterest, via a posting by CMC inc. Marketing)