To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Stretch

The home stretch!

(Photo creds: Pinterest)

The back half of April launches many of us into the “HOME STRETCH” of this season…

For students, it’s the end of school. If you are graduating, an even BIGGER amount of excitement approaches (and perhaps some anxiety)…

For those who love the annual Run for The Roses, the Kentucky Derby is the first weekend in May…

For those who have trained for a big race, on foot, bike or water, the FINISH LINE is always a refreshing site to see…

No matter if you are encountering a HOME STRETCH right now or not, chances are you have the opportunity to celebrate someone else’s or CHEER THEM ON! If you are in the middle of one, here are three small ideas on how to FINISH STRONG….

  1. REMEMBER WHERE YOU STARTED | If you are in high school, you may just be cruising through the normal rhythms of life, but many others chose to MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER by achieving THE NEXT LEVEL. The home stretch can be painful, and create the anxiety of the unknown, but IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON YOUR ORIGINAL GOAL, you will OVERCOME that pain and FINISH WITH PRIDE!
  2. THINK EPIC! | As in, ” THIS IS EPIC! I AM EPIC.” Whether a big or small acccomplishment it takes all of those STEPS TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE MEANT TO SHINE. The tiniest of steps is a MOVE FORWARD. Keep in perspective that this is one more part of your journey and MAKE IT GREAT.
  3. THE STRETCH IS WHERE WE GROW! | The late nights, the frustrations, the PUSH is where we ALL GROW THE MOST! Think of the good ol’ caterpillar-into-a-butterfly story. It’s true… It’s worth it and will BE BEAUTIFUL when that LINE IS CROSSED!

THE WORLD IS CHEERING YOU ON!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Stay the course

(Photo Creds: We Heart It…quote from Brian Houston, Hillsong, Live Love Lead book)

I am often asked how I navigate life… You know, make life-changing decisions, dodge bullets, celebrate the good AND the bad.

I think it’s my age, as I recall being a decade (or three) younger trying to figure out this puzzle.  My answer today is always based on the insight in the quote on the photo. I have only been able to be successful in anything from raising my boys to growing in my career to caring deeply and giving generously to our community through the gift of God’s word.

To be honest, even though I’ve had a strong faith since I was I girl, I was well into my 30s before I was able to get past the first few chapters of the New Testament.

As far as the Old Testament, I quickly lost interest after the creation story. It just seemed too overwhelming and perhaps a bit boring and even unrelatable. Wow was I naive! The word of God is not only NOT BORING, but it is funny at times, and pours out advice for a life well-lived. It seems like every day, at least one of the scriptures in my reading (I follow the one-year Bible reading plan), I am confronted with something that seems to be timely to what I am going through. It is incredible how the world aligns and speaks so clearly through His word.

I always wanted that “proverbial billboard” to show up on my way to work and shout out my next round of advice… a vision… a message that validated where I thought I was supposed to go or not go. The amazing reality is it was right in my nightstand… waiting to be opened.

I encourage each of you if you don’t regularly read the Bible, to give it another chance. I had to get the new living translation (NLT) version because I needed the commentary at the bottom to understand much of the Old Testament, but it is probably my favorite now. I don’t know about you, but I could use God’s direction pretty much in every area of my life. It is amazing what you will find when you simply open the pages.

Have an amazing week! Two weeks until Easter… Hope is rising.

What if … Today I ….

(Photo Creds: We Heart it)

If you are in the workplace and have anything to do with marketing, you might follow Seth Godin.

He has daily, short blogs that offer up simple ideas on pushing you to the next level in creativity. His recent post caught my attention, and my mind took it another direction. His title, “Three simple and difficult steps” offered this:

  1. Get Smarter. Hurry. (Technology and life is moving fast)
  2. Solve interesting problems.
  3. Care. More.

His thinking was that most people do one of these, but what would happen if you became the type of person and does all three? You might add leverage and value and ultimately choices to your life.

I thought it was good, but here’s where my mind went with it…

What if today we set a goal to acccomplish something that really impacted our life/world? What if today was the day that we did not operate our daily routine, but instead choose to take a new route to work, craft a personal mission statement outlining what we’d love to do right now, and set forth a plan to make it so?

One day can be so impactful, yet we often let our days become routine and settle in. I like settling in, but I LOVE feeling energized and like I’m really doing something important. That one is much better! How about you?

What can you do today to UP YOUR LEVERAGE? To get smarter, or change paths or to just be a part of a nicer and better world?  My guess is that we can ALL DO SOMETHING.

Don’t give up – Chasing life’s victories

(Photo creds: My iPhone and the great capitol city of Austin, Texas)

How fun is the graffiti on the bridge? PAC-MAN! I love PAC-MAN, especially the Mrs. PAC-MAN version.

I never thought about the words the artist wrote next to it in this context. Clearly, the idea really grabbed my attention. NEVER GIVE UP! OF COURSE. Keep throwing in the quarters and eventually you’ll learn to navigate that puzzle, eat up the ghosts, get some bonuses along the way and then take your well deserved VICTORY LAP! What a terrific metaphor for life. Sure, we have to “power up” each day and work hard, and we also might get eaten alive, like in the game, but we can always start fresh. And if we keep at it, we will be victorious.

I was lucky enough to randomly get a runner in the photo and if you know her, tell her she’s a bad ass. I am NOT a runner but I LOVE the idea of it. Doesn’t she look amazing, perfect ponytail and all?

That alone is a great example for this message. Our health and general discipline around sticking with the “chase” in this area of life. I personally have a hard time on consistency in eating healthy. It’s a struggle and a daily choice. Why don’t I want to give up? Three reasons…

  • Energy and endurance (I’d love to keep up with some sweet grandbabies some day)
  • Physical and mental health, so that I actually enjoy my life and am able to conquer my purpose full on.
  • For those I love…

I could give so many examples of the proverbial chase… Career challenges, financial goals, etc., but you get the idea. My friends, DON’T GIVE UP! Throw another quarter in and show up and stand tall when receiving your VICTORY MEDAL. In whatever of life’s areas you needed to hear this, I’m cheering you on!

What stories do you want to tell and create?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It. I’d love to give further credit for the photo, but the app doesn’t give details… folks, I know this is a professional photo and I give full credit.)

I am a total sucker for award shows, especially the speeches. Speaking from the heart… those are the ones I love. If you joined me watching the Oscars on Sunday evening there were many. The humble and selfless speeches were plentiful and endearing. My favorite was Viola Davis’ speech for the best supporting actress win for her role in Fences. I have not seen it, but will.

Viola’s words captured the audience as we hung on to her words. She commanded the audience to listen and gave the “academy” a great window into why they selected her for this award.

What stood out to me, was this tag line. It was the crux of her speech, sharing that she wished to tell the stories of the past – of the dreamers who died too soon, people who fell in love and lost, so to speak. What a worthy question for us all.

What kind of stories do you want to tell?

With our ONE LIFE, we  have this opportunity to tell and live out really cool stories. To reach into the past as Viola shared, or to CREATE A NARRATIVE ALL OUR OWN – Steve Jobs… Oprah… just a few potential examples.

I love to learn from the past and to be completely overwhelmed by the minds and lives of those in history. I equally love to watch the modern day world take on building on our world’s greatness. I think I want to take my place on the CREATING part. To come up with a new story. One that carves a new path and changes lives for the better.

Did you have a favorite part of the Oscars? (Let’s for sure talk about that ending… wow… live TV is terrific.)

Go ahead, jump the fence!

(Photo creds: We Heart it)

Having the right photo or image is always important to me when I prep for a blog. I told my son I wanted to do something funny today – something to perhaps add some levity to our day and get away from anything too serious.

Initially, this idea of “jumping the fence” was captured in a conversation about diversity and the need for us to not be afraid to experience different cultures, food, people, environments, etc. That is still a good idea, but what’s better (I hope for you too) today is this perspective of the image.

Through all of the stress that America has realized over the last few months, and what seems like a never-ending back and forth accelerated by social media, WE REALLY NEED TO LAUGH.

So maybe this photo captures how you feel as you try to get away from your friends’ viewpoints on Trump…? Or, perhaps you had so much fun watching the Grammy Awards on Sunday that you gave some thought to changing career paths to become a rock star… You know you’ve got that image now of you on Monday morning with your blazer on and your friends cheering you on running & jumping toward your new found PATH TO GLORY.

No matter what it is, make it a demonstration of fun, friends and no doubt a lot of laughs. (By the way, that may be me struggling to even get up the dang fence.)

I’m in the mood to jump the proverbial fence into brighter territory. Into something meaningful and beautiful and truly FUN. Grab your tribe this weekend and create some memories filled with laughter!

Simple thoughts Sunday – Are your relationships bringing you closer?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Someone posed this question to me a few months ago. It’s intended to be focused on your intimate relationships, but it’s still pretty broad.

I first thought about how useful this question would be for my 20-year-old boys, and then quickly realized it is a completely legitimate question for me. I’m not married, and really only in the past year(ish) considered dating more seriously. I am grateful this question was brought to my attention, because in its simplicity it speaks volumes.

Shouldn’t I be filtering any potential “candidate” that may become a key part of my life through this life impacting question? After all, if he’s not moving me closer to God (in my case… I realize many others have different religions or viewpoints), then why should I waste my time? I shouldn’t. You shouldn’t.

Whatever is important to you, if your partner is not a part of helping you go in that direction then they probably aren’t a long-term part of your plan. (Clearly, if you are already in a relationship it may bring forth a different set of questions… like how can I bring my partner closer to God? How can I have a conversation that I need him to pray over me when I’m facing a challenge?)

The same would be true for friendships that you invest a lot of time with. Back to the school days when your parents tell you to “hang with the right crowd.” I think it’s worth it to take an inventory of those friends in your inner circle. Are they bringing positive energy? Are they investing in you and your happiness? It’s a good process.

Finally, how are you bringing your friends closer to God? Are you really praying for them, seeking their hearts and what they may be confronting right now? How can you step up in this area?

I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I hope it ignites a little fire in you that has you move in that direction.

Have an awesome week.

It’s LAUNCH TIME!

groundbreaking_01

(Photo Creds:Rodrock Homes)

New seasons of life are fun, exciting and also scary! My family and I just “dug dirt” on a new home last month, and today I am launching my new and improved website. I call it phase 2.0. I think maybe I should call the move something else, something clever. I’m open to ideas! I tell my friends that this is my “big girl” house, complete with a guest bedroom that is actually safe from kid toys, teenage God-knows-what and most importantly, a lovely refuge for those I adore to get a good night’s sleep. It’s definitely a time of “ground breaking” all the way around, and a season that I am really looking forward to seeing where God takes it all (but it is a bit scary… needless to say! But what’s life without a little risk taking?).

If you, or anyone you know is in a season of “ground breaking” — change in any way, shape or form — I have found the following to be helpful when thinking about change:

1. It’s an opportunity for personal growth
If you’ve read my blogs at all you probably know that I am big on this need to constantly learn. I’ve heard it from wise teachers, centurions and respected leaders… That’s enough for me. Personal growth is critical to our happiness and change provides the occasion for us to dive in and grow. The “STRETCH” that happens with change gives us what we need to move toward our potential.

2. It provides a platform for re-evaluating life’s priorities
Whenever you are starting something new, you naturally think through how this aligns with your personal values and priorities. With the blog, well, I knew I wanted to continue to grow in that area so that was fairly easy. With the house, I had to put it to prayer for quite some time before I had discernment. At the end of the day, I want a home that my boys and eventually their families and my grandchildren will find refuge and fun in. I want to entertain and bring in community, to provide a refreshing place for all. (Oh, and I also want my guest room!)

3. Change adds EXCITEMENT
Without a season of planting we wouldn’t have the harvest. I can only imagine how boring the farmer’s market would be without HARVEST. Without change, we’d have a bunch of ugly caterpillars and no beautiful butterflies — you get the picture. One brings the other, and the other is often MORE EXCITING!

As I embark on this new “season” you can rest assured I’ll be focused on both the growth and the “STRETCH” that surely will come. I hope to share words of inspiration and insights along the way that I hope will also expand your personal growth.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR EMAIL ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THIS POST AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG ALSO BY EMAIL.  

Some notes about the blog…

I kicked off the website and blog in June of 2015 with the goal of just taking the step to get started. I have known for quite some time that I am meant to write, and blogging gives me an opportunity to do that on a consistent basis. I am also about 70 percent through my first book, To Serve Well.  (I have no specific time that I want to release that but I feel like it will be before my big 50, so I have one year and five months, but who’s counting!)

I hope that the fresh look on this site will not only be more visually appealing, but allow those that land there to find posts and other resources or materials that will enrich their lives. SERVING WELL in this world is so important, and what we are all called to do. Having others come alongside and help us so that we can achieve that is a key of this site. I love it when folks take time to comment and share their thoughts on whatever the topic is so that others can learn and grow from each other.  

I will still be posting three times a week, with Simple Thoughts Sunday being posted on Sunday early evening with the goal of inspiring your week. This posting generally has spiritual content. I also post on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and those are intended to focus on serving well in the community, home and workplace. If you have any ideas for me, I’d love to hear them! If you want to write a guest post, I’d also love that!  

I’d love to give a shout out to my design team, Ruthie Stark, photographer and Andrea Corless, MO Design & Illustration — Both of these ladies are beyond amazing and have made me better through this process. THANK YOU SO MUCH!