To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Love

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Flip the script

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I listen almost weekly to a pastor from Charlotte, NC, Steven Furtick, via ElevationChurch.org.

His message this week resonated with me in a terrific way and I knew I had to share it with you. In essence, he was challenging us to STRETCH and GROW OUR CAPACITY. He talked about how we often wait for “ideal conditions” but as a result we often don’t experience the fullness God intended for our lives. The segment that “got me” was this:

“I would if I could.” A phrase no doubt we are all familiar with.

What if however, we flipped the script and it was “I could and I will.” Some examples to get you thinking…

I could forgive, if I WOULD forgive…

I could have joy, if I WOULD decide to be JOYFUL (in all circumstances)…

I could move forward, if I CHOSE TO LET GO…

Folks, I hope this is as powerful to you as it was to me. It truly is a “simple thought,” and I hope that you might join me in flipping whatever script you need to this week. It’s Thanksgiving week and a really perfect time to make a CHOICE to fill our empty jars, by stretching and choosing to be all he intended us to be.

Wishing you so much joy this week!

 

 

How should I show up today?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Robin Sharma is a terrific motivational leader. His book, the “Greatness Guide” offered this idea up and I embraced it immediately. I hope you do as well.

It asks a stirring question if you allow it to sink in:

“Waking up each morning and asking yourself, how would I show up tday if this was my last, is not some cheesy motivational exercise. It’s a profound way to bring some urgency and commitment int your days.”

I doubt your morning coffee/tea, drive to work, walk to class or first encounter of the day would be the same. Mine wouldn’t. I think I might jump out of bed with the anticipation of a day that I needed and wanted to fill deeply with meaning from start to finish. I hope I’d have a spring in my step and that I would put on some FUN music (probably 80s music because we all truly know that this was the best era in music…). Have a healthy and at the same time crazy good breakfast with people I love (and my dog for sure has to be there). Who knows what would be next, but I can tell you it would be FULL OF LOVE, POSITIVE ENERGY AND SHEER BEAUTY.

The thing is, this concept captured me (and I think as I’m typing this I should print it and put it on my bathroom mirror), because it’s true. An abrupt reality is that we just don’t know. So BRING IT…BRING YOUR BEST, YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL TO EACH DAY! MAKE IT PROFOUND, CURATE THE WORLD YOU HOPE TO PASS ON TO THE GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOW and LOVE EVERY DAY.

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!

And We Rise…

blog_848506_2968649_1476929738(Photo: Nancy and Denise were able to make it to all MLB ballparks over the last few years… How cool is that?)

James Taylor’s famous song, “You’ve got a friend” calls it out well…

“You just call out my name,
And you know where ever I am…
I’ll come running…
Oh yeah, to see you again…
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall,
All you have to do is call…
And I’ll be there, yeah yeah yeah…
You’ve got a friend…”

When my friend Denise was battling breast cancer, her best friend, Nancy Cline, showed us all what it looked like to be a real friend. Michelle Robin, another good friend, told me that she had learned from Nancy what it was like to be a true friend, and that she hoped to rise to that level. My observation was the same. I stood in awe and hoped that I would also rise if called to the bar she set.

Nancy’s care and love was so real, so raw and touching, that you felt you were in the presence of a saint, an angel or someone who truly was anointed. When you consider this insight and example today, I hope that you will allow yourself to go deep and truly think about your dear friends and how you care for them. I know upon my own assessment that I love well, but I’m not sure I get an A. Nancy showed me and those lucky enough to witness her in action a few things I believe deserve all of our attention….

  1. Love when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
  2. Give your whole self.
  3. When needed, shift your life’s priorities so that what needs the most attention receives it.

All of these are about intention, which is what we talk about a lot in this blog. Living fulfilled lives… serving well… All requires being intentional. If you aren’t, you spend the night at a PTA meeting instead of at the home of your dear friend in need.

Can I ask you who needs you more at that point in time? I know it’s hard… life seems to consume us… I’m guilty. It shouldn’t be hard. Nancy has clarified this for me, it is simply about who needs you and sacrificing personal or perceived other needs to be where you are needed the most.

This blog could be three pages, but I want it to stay focused. Focused on the clear message Nancy gave us and that is to RISE. Rise to be the friend you hope to be!

Nancy, we thank you for your heart, your example and pray that many lives will be enriched because of how well you serve.

The brilliance of courage, take two

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 Revamped post from October 2015:

Brilliance: Exceptional Talent or Intelligence
Courage: The ability to do something that frightens one.

(Photo creds: Pinterest)

Courage is always BRILLIANT.

Courage is stepping into a boardroom prepared to give a killer presentation.

Courage is going into an interview for a job you desperately need.

Courage is signing for your first big purchase… and second… and third…

Courage is bringing your first child home from the hospital.

Courage is RISING TO THE OCCASION to help someone in need, in deed or voice.

Courage is FACING A TOUGH LOSS and making something BETTER out of the situation!

Courage is taking the long road to leave your home and cross borders to achieve your goal.

Courage is seeing the GOOD in bad situations with GREAT FAITH.

Courage is:

  • Nancy Cline: Who stood with my friend Denise Henning during her battle with breast cancer. I will highlight Nancy on Thursday and you don’t want to miss this! You will be a better friend and more “BRILLIANT” because of it… FOR SURE!
  • Tanesha Goshen: A wonderful young professional that I have a mentor relationship with who is trying to make a difference and facing the obstacles that come with the decision to stand for what she believes in. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK TANESHA! It will pay off!
  • Debbie Heiser: A friend and former colleague who picked up and moved to Idaho to follow her heart and dreams. She embraced the anxious thoughts that come when we are called from our “comfort zone” and demonstrated great courage… I believe her son and future grandchildren will be better for that decision of “courage.”
  • YOU: All of us display COURAGE on a daily basis through our everyday choices and actions. We STEP IN and STEP UP and we change lives for those around us.

Go be BRILLIANT!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Iron indeed sharpens Iron

blog_846930_2967466_1476570633(Photo creds: Pinterest)

I can’t imagine my life without those that surround me and sharpen me. It is one of the lessons I try to impart upon my boys, although, for boys I know it is different. Boys don’t naturally share with one another like girls do, but it is just as important for them. God designed us this way.

Today, I thought it would be a great time to just sit down and make a list of those that have sharpened me and when possible send them a quick thanks…

To the teacher that invested in my life, drawing out a young girl, inspiring, pushing gently, pulling at times, but always encouraging, thank you!

To my sister who was and is the one who has the “hard conversations” and who also celebrates life’s important moments with us, thank you!

To the gals in my personal tribe, friends from many groups… WOW… I am far better because of all of you, thank you!

To my many peers at work… I couldn’t begin to list them, but I think of early mentors, both nice ones and the ones that seemed to be a little too tough on the younger generation… I especially appreciate those lessons now and glad there was a balance, thank you!

To my mentors or mentees… I have learned an equal amount from each of them, thank you!

To my boys who bring an entire new meaning to to “sharpen” and “iron” – haha! They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself from early morning feelings, to late night talks about college life… (And I won’t give up on the whole “boys need to be in community too” part…) Thank you, boys!

Who has “sharpened” you… raised the bar… elevated your “game”? I bet they’d love to hear from you this week!