To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Powerful

A learner’s mindset: Open heart, open mind and creative solutions

What can you do that you could not do a year ago?

What are some challenges your organization is facing?

Are your ideas and strategies innovative enough? Are they creating the meaningful impact you’d like in your work, family, community work, etc.?

What are you passionate about and wanting to spend more time doing?

What does the world need more of?

I was inspired by this idea of being better explorers of our world by Beth Comstock’s ‘Imagine it Forward.’ Solving today’s problems will require different thinking and approaches. I am confident that we all have the capacity to tackle them if we go forward with a learner’s mindset.

If we can keep our focus on constant learning – whether it be from peacefully watching a flock of birds and their patterns, diving into a good book, or engaging in conversation with someone who has a different interest or approach to life – I am confident we will be able to use that information to supercharge our thinking and creativity.

I hope you join me in getting out from behind your desk and regular routine to get out there and explore. The world is waiting for us.

Rewind! This is a throwback post – Cheering you all on as we end this week strong!

Clear your day and let your mind move you

Tranquility | Quiet | Solitude | Time to truly think

Our days become full of “things” we want to check off of our lists – errands, texts, calls, meetings, studying, house projects… The list goes on.

We try to add balance by building in a workout regimen, scheduling lunch with a friend, or taking time to watch our latest TV addiction as the fall show schedule starts up.

What seems to be missing is time for true thought. Time to clear our mind. Margin to move from the to-do list to the dreaming of how I can make the greatest impact list. Time to think about what is necessary to achieve those dreams.

The human mind is powerful beyond our wildest imagination. It can navigate endless tasks and continually add new concepts and help us to learn and grow. Our minds are best able to help us achieve great things when we create time to think – freedom to have open space.*

Today, I hope we all might make a true effort to offload a few things. Heck, clear a whole day for nothing but staring into nature with the intention of allowing your mind to rest and rejuvenate. All while opening yourself up to big ideas and a clearer framework around current or new dreams.

Have the best wrap to your week!

*I could site several scientific resources here to support this. That's how important this concept is! Because I want these blogs to be easy-to-digest as you head into your day, I'll spare you the research. But, if you're interested, let me know!

What if? The impact we could make would be huge…

What if we all took some time this week to ask ourselves this question? What if we started the same conversation topic around every table we find ourselves at this week? Kitchen table? Board room? At bingo night? Over a card game? What if?

There is profound power to be found in this. The power to improve lives. The power to be a blessing that someone has no idea is about to hit them. The power to scale a mountain (or perceived barrier). The power to upend the status quo. The power to use our gifts in such a way that those around us are all better for it.

What if…

What if you knew the woman in front of you in the carpool line was just diagnosed with cancer, and she is silently being courageous for her kids, though she desperately needs support? What if the family at church that seems to have it all together really doesn’t, and is struggling to pay their electric bill? What if your child knew that three kids in their class of 20 don’t have enough to eat at home, let alone have the means to sign up for organized soccer. (By the way, statistics show it may actually be more than three. Folks, there are a lot of people that leverage their lives on credit cards, trying to act as if they are fine. Sadly, it’s the American way.)

We can take this into the work place, our retirement communities and many other directions.

We so often get caught up in our own lives. What do I need to accomplish? What is going on with my family? How am I going to navigate the busy fall schedule?

What if we put all of that aside and shift the conversation to others?

There’s power in dialing the focus over to how to use our gifts – time, talent, resources, treasure – for other people. How about we move in the direction of making an impact on those around us? A simple Google search can tell you, for example, the number of people who are food insecure in your zip code (check out feedingamerica.org). What if we all grab a friend, and identify a school, or some other community within our neighborhood to impact together?

WHAT IF?

Be a force for love

I’m attending a leadership “edge” program this week so I’m going to keep this super short. The whole week is focused on wellness. The idea is that by focusing on wellness, we might find our own “edge” in being the best in this life. I’m pretty stoked about that idea. 

Being a force for love requires energy. I love this photo because it conjures up thoughts of a team working together – in unity – building optimal energy for their sport.

The sport of life is no different. Getting ourselves to a strong base level, and then locking arms with a team or community to unify around a goal, is perhaps the most profound work we can do as human beings.

The goal may be…

  • Raising up the next generation;
  • Teaching, coaching, advising;
  • Sharing our story with the hope of being in service to others; and
  • Creating innovations that help our communities thrive (including infrastructure needs and aging, providing healthy transitions from one season to the next).

So many opportunities to be a force of love. But first, optimizing our own health and wellness. We must start with finding our core strength: mind, body and spirit, and build from there. 

Have such an amazing week.

Show up

Sometimes just “showing up” can seem a little daunting. Many of us spend some restless nights going through the “what ifs” over and over again in our heads. Of course, this blog could go back to the faith and trust message, but today, let’s just tackle the idea of SHOWING UP.

  • Need to talk to your kid (no matter what age) about an important life issue?
  • Need to talk to your boss about a raise, or maybe some flexible scheduling?
  • Need to call that friend, who hurt your feelings a few months back, and you can’t seem to shake it?

Showing up is important.

Showing up is where living out our intentions becomes reality.

As the message above says… we never know how the conversation is going to go – so just maybe it will go really great. You will go in prepared and have your thoughts clearly outlined and show up with a heart for listening and spirit ready to have really good and helpful dialogue. Perhaps you will walk away with pride and with a spring in your step.

I know there is the contrary to that “feel good” result happening, but if we don’t show up, we don’t even have the opportunity for things to go really well. I’m guessing if it’s that big of an issue, knowing how it turns out will be the best thing for your internal peace regardless of the outcome.

Showing up in conversations that may accelerate our lives to the next level seems like a great idea to me! Have a strong wrap to your week!

God wants more for you than an “almost” life…

“Almost.” The word may perplex you, like it did me.

If you are a person of faith, you know deeply that God wants us to have a full life… One full of extravagant love, meaningful relationships, purposeful careers, and surrounded by what is good.

Why then do we often settle for “almost?” As in…

  • “I almost eat right…”
  • “I am almost where I want to be financially…”
  • “My partner is almost the person I know I’m supposed to be with…”
  • “I almost have a spiritual life that I’m growing from daily…”
  • “I almost spend time with the people I love as often as I want to…”

We all settle for different reasons, be it lack of discipline, lack of belief that there really is something better, lack of faith that God could orchestrate the impossible in [name the area].

This idea of “almost” recently hit me squarely where God needed it to. I have had some areas where “almost” was starting to ease its way into my daily routine. I’m not willing to have an “almost” life and I know for absolute sure that is not God’s plan for me – or you.

If you think you may have some areas that you need to stop “settling” in, my prayer this week is that you will seek God’s plan full on with a spirit of both joy and accountability. You deserve to have all that is yours!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: God’s timing – it’s perfect & it may be here now

(Photo credit to @ig_minimalshots)

God’s timing on [fill in the blank] is perfect. Does it sometimes seem unattainable? I mean… what does “perfect” really mean? And …could it actually arrive sooner than I think? I think the whole idea is actually a bit of a challenge to comprehend, or at least that has been my experience. I believe that “perfect” is really what is “perfect” for you… at a specific time and a specific season in your life. The notion is such a wonderful thought.

To me, God’s timing is the only avenue to what is perfect for my life. Looking back, when God was involved it ended up being the right time and the right place – even if the reason was for a big ole’ lesson to be learned by yours truly! Be it a career choice, a relationship, or even the decision to make a major purchase, if I actually listened and was obedient to what He was trying to get through my sometimes-thick skull, then I have found myself fully in His timing… which is right where I’m supposed to be! How do I know? Because quite simply I am at peace about it!

I don’t know about you, but I want that… FULL ON PEACE and a KNOWING! Unfortunately I, like you, am human, which means I often don’t listen fully and certainly am not as obedient as I really would love to be. It is an aspirational goal I constantly work toward. I want to be the best listener, and to have God’s direction guiding my life. How about you?

My insight for today is that sometimes God’s timing may seem really far away, but quite possibly, it just may be closer than you think. I know personally that it is quite likely right in front of you. Do what you can (surround yourself with encouragers, read the scriptures, listen to messages that inspire, etc.) to submit yourself to what you know God is calling you to do and muster up some deep courage to go in that direction. Make that call, send that message, stop that bad habit, move forward on that idea you have…

If you are able to take action and be obedient, you may just fast forward ahead, and your dreams just may be here now.

Have the best week ever! It is a beautiful time to create the world you desire.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Bring your energy this week.

ENERGY! We need it, we desire it, and it makes us all better.

The trainer I love via Peloton, Robin Arzon (@robinnyc on Instagram) has a 2019 goal which I think is worth sharing:

“If it’s doesn’t raise my spirit, I’m unavailable.”

(She also adds if it doesn’t raise her bank account – ha!) She is spot on! Positive energy is what brings a positive spirit into our lives. This happens on every single path we take…

In the workplace? Yep for sure! Have you ever walked in and felt a dull sense of enthusiasm (AKA none)? It feels like everyone dredged in and doesn’t want to be present. That is so sad.

Alternatively, I hope you have walked in and felt that vibration… the power of energy… high enthusiasm… passion for great teamwork and work itself… a noticeable environment of purpose. It makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

What makes this happen? What makes it happen is YOU.

Creating culture and a positive experience is everyone’s role. It is walking in with encouraging words, smiles, hugs (when appropriate), and a constant focus on bringing up the level of energy and therefore success! I have seen everyone from new employees to leaders bring this spark.

This is true in the home, in classrooms, in the corridors of our community… everywhere.

Let’s bring the energy this week. Let’s shine that light that ignites a fire of awesome all around us!

Stand TALL, shoulders BACK – Bringing a spirit of boldness to your week

Don’t you kind of love this image? STAND TALL, SHOULDERS BACK… TAKING A POSITION OF BRAVERY… “Owning It” Days like that are awesome. Seasons like that are something to behold. You know what? We can actually take this stance every single day. That is a personal decision.

I have often talked about this idea of making a “pre-decision.”  It’s a concept I picked up a few years back from my favorite author, Mark Batterson. Most key aspects of our lives depend on our ability to make a decision of how we want to show up. So, how do you want to show up this week?

The term “bravado” actually traces back to an old Italian adjective: bravo, meaning courageous, among other meanings. This is how I like to think of it: Courage with a touch of swagger; deciding to show up with confidence in what one brings to the table.

What are you sure of today?

What gifts, skills or personality traits do you have that energize you and make this world better? Are you a great storyteller, like my dad? Do you have that ability to light up a room immediately, like my friend Tiffany? Do you make everyone around you feel better by always offering a kind word, like my friend Gloria? Are you the hardest worker in the room? A skilled negotiator? A philanthropist always focused on bettering our community? A master gardener? Whatever you have been gifted with, put your shoulders back and own it. We need what you have to offer. Decide that this week, you are going all in with a position of boldness.

It takes a strong person to be kind

An excerpt from Maria Shriver’s short read, “I’ve been Thinking,” was powerful to me:

“We all want to be treated with kindness, because we are all struggling in some way, shape or form. I had to learn this as an adult, because growing up in a large, competitive, and tough Irish Catholic family, I used to confuse kindness with weakness. When I grew up, I learned differently. I now understand that kindness doesn’t mean weakness. You have to be really strong to be kind…You have to be really mindful … A person may look ‘happy on the outside,’ but who knows what’s happening on the inside.”

Some of the strongest people I know are also the kindest. And many have been through or are going through some crazy-hard life situations. They show up with a hug or inspirational words despite facing great loss and suffering. Knowing that was proof enough for Maria’s message to resonate with me.

I know that God has given me enough grace in some of my own “most difficult life experiences” to allow me to “show up” as kind and generous in my actions despite how I really felt inside. I can’t take credit for this because, like most of humanity, I’m not strong enough on my own. I give thanks for that to both by faith and a strong tribe of friends and family that surround me.

Today, be proud of yourself for showing up kind, in the midst of whatever is going on in your life. The ability to do so reveals great strength. I believe we definitely make the world better by showing kindness in every possible moment we can…especially when it’s the hardest to do so. You know what else is fun? Doing so likely will have the outcome of making us feel happier, which is a pretty cool by-product.