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Simple Thoughts Sunday: Expectancy

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

What a terrific photo. I love the expectancy of children. As we grow older – and especially because I have the joy of watching my boys come of age – I am more and more aware of how we lose this feeling of excitement.

This season quickly consumes us with apps eagerly sharing the greatest new “deal,” dinners, shopping, movies, etc.  As cool as that can be, I long for deeper moments of connection and a true focus on the meaning behind this incredible season. (By the way, it may be slightly more than a longing… a bit more like a full-out sprint from the “mall,” so to speak, and into the welcoming refreshment of reveling in sheer HOPE. Hope for a world free of illness, sadness and brokenness in general.)

For Christians, the Advent season starts today, signaling the four-week countdown to celebrate the birth of the messiah, who brings us this hope. For others, the season is equally rich in meaning and I love that I am a part of a diverse community. Most of all, we all come together to unify around family and the best parts of the human spirit: giving, celebrating… enriching our world.

My great hope today is that we will all choose to make this year, 2016, the year we truly take this time and this season to become as expectant as children. To relish in what the season has to offer.

Dear God, provide us with your heart, and the joy and expectancy of a child.

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Simple. Prepared with love. Ready for love to fill the room. What do you see in this picture? I absolutely love it. I am so grateful today and I pray that your Thanksgiving holiday brings you more than a few moments of pure joy. I am confident that if you look for it, it will land softly and yet fully in your heart.

My vision of Thanksgiving is based on a childhood around my grandparent’s table and I am more grateful today for that time and those moments. (Even though I wondered at the time what in the world those adults could be talking about for so long… )

When you wonder if anyone is paying attention, I can assure you that all ages find these traditions to be a critical part of their journeys.

Nothing profound today, only a wish that you will at some point this weekend gather with those you love and truly take in the personal gratitude you have for this moment in time. These days are the ones we hold on to and that weave together our lives. It’s up to us to choose for these to be the very best of days.

Never doubt the impact of the crowd

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Fall is filled with games… soccer, football, volleyball, etc.  Whether little league or professional sports, I have always loved being a sports spectator, and my boys brought that side of me to life even more. To be a part of a crowd, unified in support of a team and the energy that environment produces is life-filling to me. I can only imagine what it must be like for a top athlete or performer to feel that influence and channel it to bring out their best.

One of my boys and I were at a recent NFL game in another city, and to be honest, the crowd was just not that into it. Despite the attempts by the team to engage the fans via the cheerleaders and digital video boards, they just didn’t seem to want to get out of their seat and be active participants. As an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, my son noticed as well and said, “Mom, I don’t think they realize the impact of the crowd.” He is so right. Good or bad, the crowd we surround ourselves with has a major influence on our performance.

I love that, because whether you are a musician, an athlete, a student, a mom or an office dweller, most of us need the “CROWD” to be positive and energized to achieve our best.

I wasn’t surprised to find out that for sports, there are experts in crowd psychology and how to impact the players in this category. Clearly, if you are a professional performer it is critical that you are able to play beyond the noise and stay focused. Perhaps it’s important for all of us to consider this as well. (We might just have to address that in another post.)

For today, the focus is on the impact of the crowd, and specifically, the POSITIVE POWER THE CROWD can have on us in the game of life. Is your crowd distracting you or cheering you on?  Be mindful that just like fans can influence the outcome of the game, they can impact the outcome of our days and potentially success. Also be mindful that they cannot change your skill or ability, but only your emotional ability to perform despite or in spite of their noise.

My thought is that the crowd will always have some naysayers, haters or whatever your term is, and only we have the power to ensure we are in a crowd that CHEERS US ON so that we can MAKE the IMPACT we were designed for.

Find a GREAT CROWD OF FANS and if you happen to be from KC, there are no great GREATER FANS THAN IN CHIEFS KINGDOM! Stop by and we can show you what real fans look like.

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.

SIMPLE THOUGHTS SUNDAY- WHY WE MUST CELEBRATE

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(Photo Creds: Senior pics… Kia Bondurant…sorry for the outdated pics boys, but they are really good!)

It’s birthday weekend for our family! My dad was 75 on Thursday, my grandma 95 on Friday and my boys 20 yesterday! I am always “alarmed” (that’s an overstatement but I really am stunned…) when people say they don’t celebrate birthdays! My thought is: WE MUST CELEBRATE!

God gave us each other as gifts, and we simply must take the time and truly we should be EXCITED ABOUT THESE SPECIAL DAYS! Heck, I even think it’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate yourself on your special day and honor your accomplishments and pray for God’s favor over your next year!

My boys have been such an incredible blessing to me and our family. After years of being told I probably wouldn’t be able to conceive a child, with the miracle of modern medicine, our family received a triple blessing!

Today I am CELEBRATING THEM and I hope that you will also CELEBRATE those you love in an EXTRAORDINARY WAY THIS YEAR!

Caring… the price we pay is WORTH IT!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

When I was a kid, I could never sleep the night before a new school year. This lasted all the way up until college.

The excitement, the possibilities – both good and bad – all swirled in my head and I tossed my way through the night. At this age, I don’t often stay up all night. In fact, I’m one of those who works best with eight hours, and I covet my sleep. I also don’t believe in worrying, as I’ve learned that it doesn’t add any value.

Much to my surprise, I pulled an “all-nighter” Tuesday. (And it’s not that I didn’t go to sleep at a decent hour, the world was changing, and my body apparently knew it.)

As I was staring at the alarm clock every few minutes, this insight came to mind. Why do I care so much? I’m not alone I know. Most people I interact with care a great deal about a number of topics from finding homes for abandoned animals, to sports, cooking, their career, education, homes, family and friends. Caring is good – even the kind that keeps you up all night. (As long as it’s only one night!) Here’s why I think it’s good wrapped in a simple thought:

Caring is what makes us human. “Caring” ignites our passions that become our “causes,” and this makes the world what it is: awesome, despite who the current president is. 

My friends, I hope that even if you lose some sleep now and then that you continue to CARE DEEPLY. It’s a great privelege to care so much. Take those “CARES” and cast them into ACTION that CREATES a better world.

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!

The “hush” before the holidays

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(Photo Creds:  We Heart It)

We ARE going to have a GREAT MONTH! We are going to “SET” our minds and just do it! November is….

“The hush” before the holiday rush.
The month of GRATITUDE
The month of FAMILY
The month of FOOD (healthy food of course)
The month of FIRES and FOOTBALL
The month of FULL HEARTS….

And for our family, a month of BIRTHDAYS! My boys turn into the next decade, my dad turns 75, and my grandmother turns 95. How cool is that?

I try to spend time on the blog reminding everyone to take time to CELEBRATE and this is another good time to do that. What can you do to make this month, this Thanksgiving extra special? If you get started now, you can still…

…Sign up to help feed the hungry this month
….Plan a few surprises for the Thanksgiving table!  (Perhaps a special toast to everyone in attendance)
…Surprise a neighbor (at work, school or in your neighborhood) a “harvest basket,” (I’m not sure what that might be, but perhaps a few of these cool gourds, winter squash… And maybe a thank you card…)

What else? There is so much opportunity surrounding us. To “SERVE WELL” we have to fill our HEARTS and one sure way is through GRATITUDE and the CREATION OF MEMORIES! Let’s have the BEST NOVEMBER OF OUR LIVES!

Create some FUN this weekend!

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I try not to forget some of the best parenting advice I was ever given at our family summer camp in Pine Cove, but I always seemed to get “sucked” into our daily routines.  (As you know, these turn into the story of our lives.)

So, what was the advice? SIMPLE: CREATE FUN! Stop the daily routine, the stress, SURPRISE everyone (including yourself) and call a time out for FUN. Their simple question was this: “When is the last time you jumped on the bed with your family?” Good question. Not sure I had since they were toddlers. We did it when we got home that summer, and I’m not sure they would remember. More than likely because it was a “one-and-done” activity and frankly that is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Now, don’t get me wrong, we have always had a lot of fun but I honestly don’t think I did enough to create fun “along the way.” For those of you with younger kids, I wish I would have made a calendar notification to do just this… I think it’s worth it… Kids remember these moments.

When I was looking for the right photo, I found several of retired couples jumping on the bed. I thought that was super cool as well. It was a reminder that this advice is true for all of us. Whether it’s a pillow fight, jumping on the bed or between beds in a hotel room, it’s important that WE CREATE SOME FUN!

The fourth quarter is always one of the busiest and the most stressful. New school year, year-end push to achieve goals at work, the holidays, and oh good god, the comfort food that sends us to the gym to ward off the weight gain. All of that can catch up, so call a TIME OUT this weekend, or better yet TONIGHT. Turn up the music and CREATE SOME FUN!

I’d love to hear how it went!

Do Hard Things!

blog_850520_2970197_1477351744(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I have wanted to write on this blog topic for awhile. I have had many a friend or colleague recently that are going thrugh “hard” things, so now seems like the right time.

Incredibly challenging work situations
Moral issues – their own or family member’s
Children with health issues
Children with drug problems
Seemingly insurmountable financial challenges
Loss of jobs
A strained relationship

I’m sure you have your own. We all have seasons of pain and sometimes it’s a life-long undercurrent of something needing dealt with. You get the idea.

There was a book published several years ago by twin brothers, age 18 at the time, that has the same title as this blog. That book was written for teens as an encouragement to do the hard work and not get caught up in our me-first culture. The message, however, is ageless in its attempt to harness our power and potential. In order to achieve that, no matter what stage of life you are in, it requires us to “Do hard things.”

We must be accountable to excellence. We can’t stand on the sidelines and “hope” –  We often use the idea that “hope is not a strategy” in the work place and I love it. We have to….

  • Have HARD conversations
  • Be uncomfortable
  • Find our voice… use it
  • Encourage each other, even those we don’t like
  • Reach out even when it’s cold outside and we want to go home and hide
  • Develop strategies for POSITIVE THINKING, even WHEN it’s not our natural course
  • Stop the negative commentary… You are not too old, too overweight…etc.  Change the narrative you tell yourself about yourself.

As our year winds down, I have great news… There is time left! Time to heal some wounds, address some of that stuff that is downright ugly and start the year with a truly fresh start.

What do you have in your life that needs dealt with? Who do you need to mend “fences” with, and launch into a better place? What needs to happen to set you up for success? Who will speak truth to you if you need a good honest answer to confront your own misigivings?

Let’s get uncomfortable together. I’d love to hear your stories along the way.