To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Inspiration

Cheers to fresh starts

It’s OPENING DAY for the Kansas City Royals! It’s so much fun how communities nationwide come around their hometown teams, celebrating together the opening of a new season. Whether it be little league, high school ball or the big leagues, the new season brings hope and a clean slate to showcase our talents and energy. It’s also a perfect time to remember that we can choose when we want a “FRESH START.”

Fresh starts – also known as “new beginnings” – have been studied, and as recently as 2014 were the subject of an insightful paper by a trio of researchers at the the highly-regarded Wharton School of Business. They found evidence in what they termed, the “Fresh start effect.” They explore this idea that people are more likely to think of the bigger picture of their lives, and set goals accordingly, just after beginning a new era. What they found was that fresh starts don’t have to be big – like a new job or graduation – but can be small and powerful, like a new season (hello, spring!), the start of a month (ahem… are you noticing a pattern of opportunity yet?), or even the first day back at work after taking time off.

With summer on the horizon and today’s opening day, this is the ideal time for me to set forth a plan to optimize my health and get some spring cleaning done in multiple areas of my life. Who’s ready to join in?

I’m praying you have a strong wrap to your week and that you are able to take time to celebrate fresh starts, new beginnings and commit to the next level of awesome in your life. Oh, and let’s go, Royals!

Laughter & pain: Life requires both

Laughter is the best medicine, right? Actually, laughing does produce those feel-good chemicals called endorphins. According to scientists, laughing has the power to increase pain tolerance, improve quality of life, and, based on experience, provide levity during challenging conversations or situations.

I have often felt like I had two choices: to laugh or downright cry. I usually try to go the laughter route (unless my hormones get a say – ha!), because it feels more healing to me. Life can be pretty harsh some times. I hope that we all remember to take a step back during those times and reframe our situation. Perhaps there is nothing that can make it “lighter.” Perhaps the pain is so deep that crying is the healing source. Or perhaps it requires both.

I have some friends going through some grueling experiences: losses of family, divorces, children with health issues – some sad and agonizing stuff. I want them to know that it is okay to laugh. It is okay to find humor in the smallest things. It is okay to do whatever is needed to find a ray of light in the situation. Whatever the case, may we all reflect as much sunshine and hope into this world as we possibly can.

I hope your week finds your spirit ready for spring and the fun and beauty it brings!

Let’s give care to our true priorities this weekend

Always such a strong topic to keep top of mind. How are you doing, now that we are closing in on the end of the first quarter for the year? From where you started the year, has your schedule aligned with your goals, dreams and desires? Have you spent enough time where you want?

I personally have been heavy with career and not enough on financial health (I’m in the group that hasn’t filed taxes yet); and moderately successful with physical health and relationships thanks to some pre-scheduled events so to speak. (If not for those, it wouldn’t look good at all.) I share that for the purpose of being vulnerable and yet exposing that no matter how much you “want” to do the right thing and be balanced, you can easily fall off of your game plan. Life tends to dictate itself if we don’t edit and actively and mindfully move it where we want.

So, you may be thinking: what’s up with the “deep priority” comment? What makes it deep versus just a priority? This, to me, is the “next” level. Saying I want to grow and nurture relationships is one thing, but what do I really want or need? For example, I haven’t spent any time this year with my dad. That’s not good, and that’s important.

Also deep: Being more specific is critical. Using the example of physical health and wellness, saying that I want to be successful in this category alone frankly won’t move the needle. What might move the needle is a deeper and specific goal, perhaps increased time doing cardio, lifting weights, etc., signing up for a “race” or some event that drives me toward success? Thinking out loud, here.

As we think through the last three months, it may be timely to take a long look at our priorities and develop an action plan that aligns.

Cheering everyone on and especially my NCAA bracket! Sun, please come out to stay!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Great is our God

I have heard this song so many times, and never thought of it in the way that was shared at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia a year ago. Here’s what they shared:

Great is our God….

In where he has positioned us in this world.
(May we grow where he has planted us.)
In our relationships
In our careers
In our finances
In our dreams…

I absolutely LOVED THIS perspective.

Essentially, “great is our God” in all of the areas of our life. If we choose to focus on the good and even great, it can be found anywhere. We were all born at this specific time in the world for a reason, each with a destined purpose to love those around us and to achieve the purpose set for us by using the gifts we have been given.

To me, that is the fun part. Understanding both my gifts and the gifts of those God has put in my “circle of life” so to speak and working together to do something magical.

As you go into your week, go out and do something MAGICAL. Great is our God indeed.

The power of visualization

WOW! I love these inspirational messages from Instagram. I limit myself to 30 minutes a day right now on Insta, but I find it to be very inspirational for someone like me who takes things in best visually.

I like to think I do this, but I am honestly wondering as I write this if I do this in every area. For example, do I really walk out how I want to “show up” physically? As in, athletically speaking? My highest self? Ouch… I don’t think so. Maybe a “pretty good” version, but highest? Definitely not.

Let’s pull the plane up a bit and back into the question of what exactly does your highest self look like?

If I were hitting my stride in full force, what would my highest self look like on an ideal day? My wake up time? Meals? Physical activity? Productivity? Would I design art? Write something breathtaking? Breathe deeply and eat nutritious and beautiful meals? Who would I surround myself with? How would I elevate my mind? Would I be reading classic literature or listening to stunning music?

This is such a worthwhile question.

I hope you will not only visualize your highest self, but write out what that looks like and move ever closer to that each and every day.

So much love for you all. Thank you for reading!

You never get your days back, you know?

Powerful thought. I am in the middle of Robin Sharma’s new book, ‘The 5AM Club’ and tucked in was this profound message: “You never get your days back, you know?”

Sharma highlights Eugene O’ Kelly’s final memoir, ‘Chasing Delight,’ and its critical message that we need to be engaged in every moment. O’Kelly, the once CEO of KPMG, one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., wrote the book after learning that he would soon pass unexpectedly. This deep thought still has me reeling…

“In the course of saying goodbye, he would sometimes invite a friend or acquaintance to take a stroll in the park.” O’Kelly stating, no doubt with regret, “This was sometimes not only the final time we would take such a leisurely walk together, but also the first time.”

I’m sure most of you, especially if you read this blog, are already intentional about your time and truly value your loved ones. I’m confident you spend a great part of your year creating moments that capture love and experiences that you hold on to tightly. This message makes me want to reach a bit deeper. Who are those I would want to spend time with if I were in my final days? Why haven’t I made it a priority, and how can I curate my life so that I have time for these priorities? It doesn’t seem easy, but I am confident I could clear my days in the blink of an eye if I really needed to. What about you? Does this resonate?

A final message for today, via Sharma: “O’Kelly wondered what it would take to make healthy people slow down and heed his quotation of Jonathan Swift, “May you live every day of your life.”?

My prayer is that we will all do just that. Live and love deeply, my friends.

Love BIG today – and every moment you can!

A day set aside for love. A day to shine your love in a brighter way. A moment in time, to go big and to take the time to share how much people you surround yourself with mean to you. I believe we must go beyond tradition and reach outside of the obvious and ensure love is felt all around.

Today can be hard for some people. Instead, we should all be sure to make sure we do what we can to level up our approach. Who may not hear from someone today? Who may be really facing some tough parts of life, and need an extra dose of true love? I always loved the kid Valentine’s Day party, because everyone was included… That is exactly what we should be doing this year and every year!

Let’s all go spread some love!

By the way – I love you all for reading these little messages. My goal is to always inspire one person and yet, after each post, I am the one that feels love in the process. Thank you all for loving well.

The power of our emotions

Not sure where I heard this, but I put it down in my notes as a reminder to blog about at some point. Here’s what I think about this: OUCH!

It resonates because it’s spot on. When our emotions cause our minds to go off course, we are creating stories and narratives that quite possibly aren’t viable or true. The obvious problem with this is we have this amazing ability as humans to manifest our own thoughts. We can use the power of the mind to, at times, turn these emotions into a reality. (I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit.)

I like the idea that we should OBSERVE these emotions – fear, anxiety, exhilaration, and more – all as a feedback system. A feedback mechanism that was built inside of us to process and make better decisions. Intentionally taking the time to “harness,” if you will, the emotion and asking ourselves where it came from. Is it based on real facts or have we allowed our minds to blow it up into something more? You get the thought here, I hope.

I have a therapist who has asked me to take time to “sit” with my emotions or feelings… don’t pursue them or run from them – just sit. At first that baffled me because I am a doer, as in, “let’s deal with this and move on.” So, this realization that there is another option to observe and understand has been a game changer for me.

I hope this topic strikes home with at least a few of you. It is not easy, but it is important to really consider that God has given us this amazing feedback system for us to both protect ourselves and to help us thrive. We should use it as such and not allow it to be anything more.

Cheers to a great week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Trust the re-route

I absolutely love this.

Actually, let’s re-phrase that… I have grown to love the idea of this. God has taken me on some crazy paths in my life, and often they have (at least in the end) made sense. Some, on the other hand, make me wonder “what the heck was that all about?” Sure, the twist and turns of life are what makes it interesting, but also downright scary sometimes.

Yesterday, I came across a scripture (Exodus 14:13-14) that I have needed to remember many times in my life. Actually, make that two scriptures. The second, was on a sign over my bed at summer camp a few years ago. It was new to me, and one that has given me great comfort in those scary times.

The first: “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” Isn’t that amazing? I have often needed God to be on a rescue mission for me and those I love. In fact, as I type this, I have several friends going through pure hell who are in need or rescue. I’m praying this over them right this minute.

The second: “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” WOW. That is the one that hung over my bed. I walked into the room for night one of camp and while I’m not sure what season I was in on that day, the message sunk deep in my soul. I know I needed to surrender and let Him do the fighting. My human spirit had had enough, and could no longer muster up the strength to take on whatever giant I was trying to take to battle. I needed to surrender.

As you go through this week and connect with others, I hope that you will keep these two front and center. Trust the re-reroute. God has you and those whom you love absolutely covered. When trust is hard – because for me, it always is for some reason – remember that He is fighting for you. Stay calm and watch.

Have a simply beautiful week.

Driving toward a growth mindset

Happy January 31st! The month felt like it was 1,000 days long and yet, for some reason, it’s hard to believe the first month of 2019 is over.

I feel like I’m still putting the ship in order for an amazing year. How about you? Did you hit your “must-have” list and generate some momentum heading into the rest of the quarter? How’s your health game going? Setting up plans to deepen those relationships? Strengthening your financial position? How about your career – be it managing the “castle” (aka, home), hustling in the workplace or the best career, known as “retirement? Did you make progress in leveling up in those areas? What about just surviving (which is a perfectly respectable goal!)?

When I saw this message, I knew immediately it had to reach a greater audience. For those who want to optimize their best life for this very season, it is critical to stay on task and intentionally build pathways to achieve what we hope will bring us closer to those goals.

As you close out this month and launch in to February, I hope this will inspire you to make the days and moments count. I pray your month is chock full of celebrations, intention and pure happiness, no matter what that may be for you!

Special note: February is Go Red month for the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans. I hope you will join me in wearing Red tomorrow on Friday for national Go Red Day and together raise awareness! For more information, go to the AHA website. Being informed saves lives.