Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence
(Photo Creds: Canva)
I captured this comment and wish I’d created it. It’s true, I am thankful for all of it. I hope that your day is spent with love regardless of “it all.” The days aren’t always easy, but love carries us all through and at the end of the year we can reflect on how we grew along the way!
Make this weekend count. Give lots of hug… extend amazing generosity and LOVE BIG anyway you can! I’m truly grateful for each of you and praying great favor over your lives as I write this.
I just had to address this topic. You see, I had dinner with a friend last week and we were talking about our young men/women and relationships.
This is not the first conversation about this same topic that I’ve had in the past few years. I guess I’m at the age where the next phase of our kids’ lives could include a trip down the aisle. If you have younger kids, pay close attention. The conversation on intentional parenting, aunt-ing, grandparent-ing, etc. is worth it right now.
(Photo creds: Canva)
As you know, I read a lot. And soon, I’ll have 5 decades under my belt. Using Oprah’s popular lead in, “one thing I know for sure” is we need to be in relationships where we are loved deeply, admired and perhaps above all respected.
Most relationship experts say respect is a core need, particularly strong for a man, but also important for a woman. My grandparents backed this up. I once asked them their secret to marriage and they both said respect: “We may have disagreements, but we always keep them for after the event, and sit at the kitchen table until we resolve them — never taking our disagreements public.”
While men may have a top need for respect, women need to be admired and that means acknowledging often so there is no question she is adored.
I think we are in a little bit of a crisis. Sure, I think most get the whole love thing. What seems to be missing is the time and attention necessary to build and show admiration, adoration and respect. We need to up the game early so that our young children understand just how important this is. Being in a relationship with someone that leaves you at a party to hang with their friends, doesn’t invest time in tender conversations, doesn’t want to spend time with your friends/family… I could go on, if you can’t tell. All are things I’ve heard and have seen lately.
Folks, please don’t blow this off. We have an entire generation that perhaps hasn’t seen this modeled well. TV and movies probably make it worse. If we want them to have successful relationships it is going to be because we invested our energy into making sure they both know they need it, what it looks like and how to give it in the best possible ways.
(Photo Creds: Canva)
I’m finally coming up for AIR. (See side note below if you’re interested.)
Does anyone else ever feel that way after a period of being either gone or otherwise detained — or both — from real life?
In the business world, I worked with a colleague that often used that phrase, “Oh, he/she will come up for air once they realize (their mistake, or whatever)…” It took me a while honestly to understand what they meant, but boy do I understand it now, on soooo many levels. I find myself coming up for air in finally “getting” a new concept, in working with people and trying to understand their point of view, and of course when I’m swamped and actually am coming up for air.
When I was gone, I spent some time researching the concept of mindfulness. It seems to be a hot topic, and aside from reading various articles on the benefits of meditation and yoga, I didn’t really understand what the big deal was. Maybe it was just the world’s way to change things up a bit to get your attention again on a topic? Regardless, the end result is the same and worthy of our attention.
That would be an overall goal of improved focus and awareness.
This could be of something as simple as your breath, or as complex as seeing the intricacy in beautiful architecture. Using that last example, if you are local and haven’t really walked and admired the streets of downtown KC around the Power and Light area, please do so. I looked at this recently with new eyes, and we have some simply amazing architecture. A dear friend was with me and she explained so much of the history that I had no idea about. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I’m almost 50 and know so little. I think I need more than one life so I can consume all of these wonderful details life has to offer. One more reason for those of us at earlier ages to realize the importance of becoming “mindful” to our world. All parts of it!
I’m going to spend the rest of this week, Thursday and Sunday focused on the topic and I hope it is of great benefit to you. As you set your eyes on being the best, on serving the best, loving the best — MINDFULNESS is a terrific place to start in going deeper and achieving a higher calling. I’m in for that for sure!
Side Note: I am not one to share the details of my life because I figure everyone has enough of their own “stuff.” If you are on my Instagram, you may have saw that we went on a life trip, and journeyed through some of the places that the Apostle Paul traveled during this mission. (Paul wrote much of the new testament, credited with 13 chapters.) I was fortunate to have two of my boys along for the trip and really missed the third. At the same time we were preparing to leave we moved into a “pod” temporarily and then day we returned, into our new home. A little chaotic to say the least, but alas, daylight is coming through. If anyone is interested, I would so love to share the story of the trip. Please let me know!
(Photo Creds: Canva)
I have always believed our mind is our greatest human asset in achieving what we want out of this one life.
This statement in the photo was spoken at an event I attended, and I sat with it for a few months. I wanted to share it for today’s Simple Thoughts Sunday because I feel it has power. God gave us all a human spirit with goals, dreams and desires. I believe he wants us to not only achieve those, but to do so with great joy.
Sure, we will have pain in the mix and we will grow during those times, but in the end, we are here for a purpose. If we opt out and choose to not GO FOR our HIGHEST LEVEL, it is our choice. CHOOSE TO OPTIMIZE! Let your close friends and family know what they and I know they would love to cheer you on! I would be blessed to sit with any of your fan clubs. Have an amazing week, my friends.
I was reminded during this Uber drive – and by the way, thank you for sharing your stories on Part 1 – of our trip to South Africa a few years back. This photo is from a now-local gal, Renee Terrill who has committed her life to the service of the children that we visited through her role as Global Impact Coordinator at Westside Church in Lenexa.
Her story is a great example that any of us can go deep if we choose to in whatever calls to us that needs to be improved.
I don’t know Renee well, but I cherish her work. It is gritty and real.
I chose the photo because I feel it provides the best visual of what I walked away with on our trip and it stays with me today… PURE JOY. I wear a bracelet that I don’t take off from this great country, and it serves as a reminder of TRUE CONTENTMENT AND JOY.
Here’s the thing: In this particular region in South Africa, scarcity is an everyday reality. From a lack of protein to feed the children, to consistent good water, to poor transportation. You would think there would be great sadness, but it’s really just the opposite. The people seem to EXUDE JOY. They are, quite simply, CONTENT.
I asked my driver about this, and he said it was because they didn’t know any better. This “land is all they have known.” That made me realize once again that here in the United States, assuming you are reading this from there, that the many choices and opportunities we have may be doing us a disservice.
I could get in a philosophical conversation right now, but I should probably just stick with the point: True contentment and joy is a CHOICE. No matter our situation, or where the world places us in any given season, or moment, we can find JOY if we look. My prayer is that you will indeed find JOY and CONTENTMENT today!
I have always loved football and understand the basics of the game really well. I can thank my parents for that, who, before I was born, used to drive to another city and get a hotel just to watch the Chiefs play. That’s dedication, and was probably great fun for their generation.
We happen to have a great friend from our summer camp days that plays in the NFL as a defensive tackle. Understanding what that means is a whole other topic (reminder: I’m into basics). I didn’t really know, so my son gave me a great illustration to help me get it…
A defensive tackle, he said, is the guy who doesn’t really usually get the credit, but is setting his team up to succeed. He blocks, hopefully leaving an open path for pressure on the quarterback. How cool is that? My immediate thought was that this is the position we should all strive for: helping others to succeed, to win, to get the credit.
I was curious, so I consulted with the internet for some more fun, insightful and technical details…
Have an awesome week! Let’s all go set someone up to succeed this week!
I love coffee shops! That is where I do my best thinking… specifically, Black Dog coffeehouse in Lenexa. A bit off of my normal, beaten path, it’s just the perfect hideaway to get the “juices” flowing.
My second choice would be a good walk through trails or any place with an abundance of nature – the trees and creek types are my favorite.
There has been much written and researched on the concepts of “creative thinking” and just how we humans enter a state of “flow.” A place in our minds where we can really feel the ideas rolling.
Susan K. Perry, PhD and Social psychologist, speaks about the “busy mind: fragmented, unfocused, distracted, too many things on your mind.” Sound familiar? The opposite of which is “THE” FLOW that I am characterizing. According to Perry, “FLOW: loose, relaxed and focused.” My guess is that many of us need to be able to get into this “FLOW” state more often in order to bring our best work.
Experts say that we can indeed achieve this state by facilitating certain conditions that optimize our thinking, offer a quality of awareness and creative expression. Here are 5 ideas that may help you achieve “FLOW” and produce your best work. (RE: Myrko Thum)
The bottom line is that training your mind to develop a sharp metal focus is a key skill for success and self improvement and peak performance.
Go all in and OPTIMIZE THIS WEEK!
(Photo creds: Canva)
Don’t you love how something said in 1910 is still true today? You may not be familiar with this speech, so please read it. It’s terrific. It resonates with me considering how our world today seems to be infiltrated with sideline judges.
Granted, most of us do what we can, jump in where we see a need, vote on issues that are important, etc. But we can easily fall victim to those “judges” often hiding behind computer screens. These are the “Monday morning quarterbacks” reporting on how we “should” have navigated whatever the trials of the day may be… Hurricane preparations, actual game day errors, conversations that should have taken a different direction, etc… What we need are those that call out what was done WELL! To focus on what we really desire… EXCELLENCE.
I just LOVE the idea and ACTION of GRIT, of working it out with blood, sweat and yep, tears at times. The key words of GREAT DEVOTIONS, WORTHY CAUSE, DARING GREATLY… are STRONG, RESILIENT, LIFE GIVING, ENERGETIC, and IMPORTANT.
Step into an ongoing effort to build a WORLD OF ENCOURAGEMENT… In your home, work place, school, community… and GET ENGAGED with the GREAT WORK OF BUILDING AN EVEN GREATER WORLD!
(Photo Creds: Canva)
If you’ve ever stood under a redwood tree, you know that their height is something magnificent. The extent of their root system is shockingly not deep at 6-12 feet. So, how do we account for the crazy growth, with many reaching 300 feet tall? (The tallest pine measures in at 268 by comparison.)
“Redwoods create the strength to withstand powerful winds and floods by extending their roots more than 50 feet from the trunk and living in groves where their roots can intertwine.”
Perfect! Another very cool illustration for just how important going “DEEP” in your relationships is to your ability to grow and optimize your gifts. Of course… I LOVE THIS – and so should you!
“Community” is what allows us to live a joy filled life. (“Community” also defined, as families, friendship groups, circles, tribes, colleagues… you get my drift.) To SERVE WELL, it is almost required that we are encouraged, held accountable and ultimately pushed toward our “best self.” For most of human history, this has been a normal part of life, starting out with the earliest Native American tribes and, for my generation, playing kickball in the street until well after the sun has gone down. Today, many find themselves immersed in technology and other distractions. That seems almost too obvious to state but when the shoe fits… Heck, I don’t even like to get out of my car to go in the bank. God forbid I can’t take care of business on my phone or through a machine.
I like the idea of GOING DEEP. I need to work more at this. I’d love to achieve the greatness of a REDWOOD GROVE… to lock arms together with some amazing people and establish root systems that allow us all to grow and flourish.
(Photo Creds: We Heart it)
On Sunday, I kicked off the week by reminding you that you are indeed a “bad ass.” That’s according to the Bible by the way, which is a great go-to source for understanding how we are designed. Apologies for any that are offended by that word choice, but I feel it’s the most appropriate way to call out the truth.
That said, I felt this was an appropriate topic for a Tuesday, which by the way is the “most productive” of work days. It’s when the coffee hits the system and we are ready to ROLL.
To me, there is not much better than getting that “flow” going and really feeling like you are conquering your day. That could be any day, but especially when that to-do list starts to get crossed off, line by line. LOVE IT! Anyone else?
Along the way, my hope for you today is that you will make sure to USE A SPOTTER. We all need them. I need several… managing your health, finances, family, relationships – the list goes on – requires a TON OF HELP. Who are your spotters? They can help LIFT THE HEAVY LOAD and give you much needed relief.
Have a STRONG WEEK and know that others are cheering you on and want to help!
