To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Inspiration

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A final thought on mindfulness

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I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the idea of mindfulness than this message.

This scripture gets me every single time. Most likely because I’m not so good at it. I totally get it though. The ONLY time I have truly felt I have heard from God was when I quieted my soul to reflect on what was happening in my life at any given time, truly listening to what I was reading, watching, etc.

I do believe the research I’ve found and shared, and the simple message of mindfulness goes hand in hand with this scripture.

I hope that you have found something valuable over the last week and know that GOD is indeed with you and guiding every single step. Even the ones that do not make much sense to you right now. If we can still our minds to listen, we will surely see him show up… step in and help us RISE to our next level.

Have a simply wonderful week. Relish a bit in the fun of the holiday and, as always, I’m so grateful today for each of you that read this and am always cheering you on.

Getting to mindfulness

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I absolutely loved swinging as a child — I still do when I get the chance. When we were in Tuscany, the property we rented for a few days had a wonderful swing and I snuck on there as soon as I got my chance without an audience. I am not sure why I find it to be so exhilarating, but I imagine it’s what it’s like to be “mindful.” To be a child again, not a care in the world, feeling the wind hitting your face, your feet swinging around and overall being aware. I like the idea of doing that more… If you do as well, follow the next few thoughts that I dug up.

With the onslaught of social media and life in general just plain being increasingly fast-paced, distractions are imminent. This is the genesis for the focus by wellness experts on “mindfulness.” As I shared Tuesday, the idea being that you get to a higher level of awareness and focus. I had no idea it had gone so mainstream… There is even a website addressing this — who knew?

So with or without the distractions we have today, the mind in general is wired to wonder 50 percent of the time, according to a Harvard study. The idea of  being more mindful doesn’t mean those distractions go away, but it does mean that our we handle them better via the mental training practices that we establish. It was related in one of the articles to a “mental gym.” I liked that idea, and thought you might too since it’s a bit challenging to wrap your head around.

So, what does this gym look like? I like the Huffington Post for topics like these, because they seem to drill it down to my level. Here are some of the many ideas they share:

  1. When you eat, eat. When you drink, drink. Focus all of your attention on the act of mindful eating.
  2. Walk mindfully. Pay attention to the movement of your body and your surroundings. This time of year is my  favorite because of the leaves crunching.
  3. Observe your breathing. When you pay attention to your breathing pattern it takes you out of your mind and into your body.
  4. Connect with your senses.  Touch, smell, taste, sound and sight: they are the gateway to the present moment. When you are lost in thought you don’t experience all your senses have to offer.
  5. Get lost in the flow of doing what you love. Incorporate more of that into your daily life.

As you power through the rest of your week, I hope that you’ll stop and think about the idea of being truly aware. Fall is a beautiful time to observe what life has to offer and going into the holiday seasons even more so… Enjoy! We have one life!

Coming up for air! (Launching into mindfulness)

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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!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Settle for the BEST

(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.

Never miss an opportunity: Tales of my Uber driver, part 2

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!

A great lesson from football!

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…

  • The DT is typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. (Well of course he is… it takes a big person to allow others to take the spotlight while you are a key building block for their success.)
  • They may be called to fill several different roles. (Always important. Flexibility to move and accommodate is critical to serving well….)

Have an awesome week! Let’s all go set someone up to succeed this week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: God often speaks loudest when we are the quietest

(Photo Creds: Canva)

I am a huge fan of the author Mark Batterson.

He has crafted the Circle Maker and a host of books I regularly give as gifts. His latest, ‘Whisper,’ is coming out soon and I was lucky enough to get a preview copy. This topic is timely, real and critical that we all listen. My opinion of course.

The book is about hearing the voice of God and outlines some practical thinking and steps we might take to get to this goal. Most people operate in the hope that God will send a sign or at least a major clue that tells us where to step next. I for sure have lived most of the seasons of my life looking around the corner and in the mailbox for these. It’s human nature I think.

At any rate, the simple thought this week is from Batterson’s latest book: “God often speaks the loudest when we are the quietest.” We must carve out time for quiet. Our world is so noisy. In fact, studies show that most of us can’t hardly stand to not have something going on, be it TV, radio, “Alexa” chatter, checking our phone, etc. I absolutely know this is a truth that I can use to hear again and again. I have time and again heard from God in the quiet… generally through reading or spending time away on the water. I know I for one need quiet… A LOT OF IT!

I hope this insight speaks to your soul, and I hope that this week you carve out time for QUIET.

Don’t forget to say THANK YOU… I SEE YOU… I APPRECIATE YOU…

(Photo Creds: Canva)

I had a recent LIGHT BULB moment that really should not have been one, but it was. Honestly, I thought I had been pretty good at this, but not sure I’ve done it enough since college started, maybe even a bit before. As our children age, I think we need to get out the “basics” playbook. This is especially true I think with teenagers and young adults.

The insight is simple…

Don’t forget to CALL OUT the GOOD… Say THANK YOU… I SEE YOU AND RECOGNIZE YOUR EXTRA EFFORT.

My example is simple. One of my boys is really helpful with our dogs. With my crazy schedule, his help is incredible. Here’s the thing: I kind of take it for granted. Not intentionally, but I do and hadn’t realized that. One evening I was telling him how much I appreciate his extra help and attention and he said “thank you for noticing,” and it hit me. (He said it in a nice way, but still… OUCH.) He is one who doesn’t require a lot and honestly I think those are the people that we should intentionally recognize more. So, I’m dusting off the playbook and going to try to incorporate those basics more often.

At all ages we need someone to say “I see you.. I recognize you… Your efforts are not going unnoticed…” If you don’t have your own kids, this of course is applicable in all settings. I hope I’m not the only one who needed this reminder, but alas, if so,  perhaps it’s something you can pass on.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: CHOOSE JOY

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Happy Sunday! We are hitting the second half of September and closing in on starting the final quarter of the year. Many have worked through the first month of school and started fall projects… yard work, remodeling, work, etc. I’ve even started seeing homecoming pictures… seems too early, but here we are! Fun fall events and action-packed days. Let’s remember to stop and CHOOSE JOY in those days! These moments mark our lives and this is such an important scripture for us to start our days with! I’m cheering you on as you conquer this week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Speak Vitality (LIFE)

(Photo Creds: Canva… but I’m pretty sure I have one just like it from my Ginger Farms trip last year!)

Happy Sunday folks!

Isn’t it awesome that most get to BREATHE DEEP tonight and not worry about working tomorrow? Love that feeling.

So, what in the world do I mean by speak vitality? That may seem obvious and yet we don’t do it enough. One year at camp, one of the parenting talks (intended to help us teach our children how to be upstanding humans that care for others) was a simple message we were advised to ask our children often: “Are you going to speak a blessing or a curse?”

In other words: simply be nice! I appreciated that construct when talking to my boys, especially when the discussion was around how they treat each other sometimes. I recognize however, that at any age, it’s a great reminder. We have a choice to speak LIFE, and we should choose it more often.

Do the words we are speaking to ourselves or others speak joy? Victory? Positivity? Or are we focused on “why in the world we are getting acne at our age?” “Where did those 5-plus pounds come from, for god’s sake?” “Why can’t I eat the mac and cheese with bacon?”

We all are in different seasons of our lives, and it is so important that we SPEAK LIFE and VITALITY to ourselves and to the WORLD. This week there has been much heroism displayed as the needs are great in a time of national disasters such as the great flooding. There have also been those that are blaming, calling out and otherwise judging people that they believe should be helping. My feeling: We need to hold ourselves accountable for ALWAYS SPEAKING VITALITY.

Have an AMAZING WEEK, and remember to EXHALE and BREATHE IN LIFE!