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Things the Olympics teaches us about UNITY

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International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach kicked off the games with an important message: “In this Olympic world, we see that the values of our SHARED HUMANITY are STRONGER than the forces which want to divide us.” His remarks focused on UNITY and how the games provide the setting for an attitude of peace and hope.

In 2010, I had the opportunity to attend the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, with my boys and my sister. (If the games are ever that close again, I recommend you stop what you are doing and make a plan to attend if at all possible.) What we witnessed firsthand was that every country we encountered were more than kind, generous and willing to thrive together during the games. I remember most the Netherlands and their enthusiasm toward their national sport, speed skating, and their jovial hugs as their team went ahead in the race. It was fantastic.

While I promise I won’t write about the Olympics every time over the next three weeks, I may use the opportunity as the games play out to share a story or insights that may be relevant to the blog. I definitely don’t want to miss this chance to SHOWCASE UNITY AT ITS BEST! Here are some thoughts I had as I worked through this blog…

  1. Unity happens when everyone lays aside their personal interests and races toward a common goal. Unity can get disrupted at home, in the workplace and of course we have seen the terror when unity is threatened during war. But what if we all truly did see the world from someone else’s viewpoint. You know, the “don’t judge until you have walked in someone else’s mocassins…” (Or something like that)  That’s pretty darn good advise. Lay your personal interests aside and remember we are here to use our best gifts. Don’t get tied up in someone else’s drama. The athletes don’t lay aside their goal to win the race, but no doubt during the month they live among those with cultural differences, they surely experience a host of differences and lay those aside to achieve peace
  2. Unity is possible. There are those that believe unity isn’t possible. “I can’t get a long with this guy at work, I cannot stand that lady, their religion really bothers me… etc.”  I was devastated when I saw the news this week of the young Muslim couple being asked to leave a Delta airline flight home from Europe.  We must all INVEST OURSELVES FULLY in the FACT THAT UNITY IS POSSIBLE. Watch the games over the next few weeks. These athletes are living in the Olympic village together and they are in full community together and they LOVE IT. The fun of the Friday ceremonies with all countries taking selfies together etc. was magical. Watch specifically for those moments. You’ll see what I mean!
  3. UNITY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY. I hear so many people right now due to the national election talking about how our country is in disarray and the concerns with ISIS and the refugee crisis and… You get the picture. Everyone is looking to a leader to solve our issues to somehow step in and create a world where we suddenly are all singing “kum ba ya” together in harmony. The reality is, every athlete, every volunteer, every leader of the games and every one of us is responsible. We have to realize that we can’t sit aside. We must use our voice and our time and actions to strive for unity in all things. I will spend some time again this month on some opportunities here locally to step in and use your voice.

Have a better than great day!

In the Pursuit: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

blog_804354_2918997_1465438196(Photo credit: WE HEART IT – ISN’T THIS GUY AWESOME?)

Most people who have worked with me or lived with me, know that one of my top mottos in life is “Attitude is everything,” or in the work place, “Hire for attitude, train for skills.” It doesn’t matter what area of your life, or the time of your life, whatever “playing field” you find yourself on, ATTITUDE IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER.

I’m never one to to re-create great content if I can find it. Today I wanted to share Jon Gordon’s writing on the power of ATTITUDE.  Jon is the author of the Energy Bus and the No Complaining Rule and you can find out more about him at www.jongordon.com.

My favorites are 2 and 7. I would love to hear yours! Have a strong wrap to your week!

11 Benefits of Being Positive – posted by Jon Gordon

Over the years I’ve done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, order happiness, online career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.

1. Positive People Live Longer – In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)
2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)
3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)
4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)
5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)
6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)
7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)
8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can’t be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)
9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)
10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam)
11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

Make VOLUNTEERING a part of your SUMMER PLAN!

blog_801593_2914021_1464656789I have to say that I am so thankful my boys are out of the phase of childhood where they are “looking” for things to do during the summer. I believe school has been out a mere week or two and I have already heard in passing neighborhood kids saying how bored they are.

I can smile now, but God help the parents and care takers during these summer months, that both seem to drag on and are fleeting all at once. As we talk this week about the idea of “honoring” there is one CLEAR message that we can all use, and that is HONORING BY HELPING OTHERS!

Sometimes I feel like I’m helping others, but when you go around the dinner table and ask when you last “volunteered” formally, the often answer is not lately. Now don’t get me wrong, everyday acts of kindness MATTERS and in a HUGE WAY. Honestly, those actions are the positive fabrics in our lives. In fact, a book I read over the long weekend (quoted above) was about that very idea. We are wired to be in “tribes” and a tribe in most cultures represents unity. Unity is found at the most basic level in helping each other to survive, each taking on their role to use the gifts/skills they have can that best serves the group. (This was a fantastic read – short and powerful. I highly recommend it!)

So what should we do this week in order ACT on THIS? For one thing, I’d love to hear what your plans are for summer volunteering. I will be helping with the American Heart Associations Heart and Stroke Walkon Saturday, June 18 and also the Spofford Home’s Community birthday celebration on July 30. I think volunteering with the family or friends at a food bank like Harvesters is a terrific need in our community, and there are literally hundreds of other needs out there ready for a helping hand and a willing heart!

What if we all be sure to incorporate a VOLUNTEER PLAN into our summer schedules?

(Photo credit: Pinterest, via a posting by CMC inc. Marketing)

Changing the world

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Sometimes I wonder who “coins” a phrase a formal quote. After all, we all say things daily that likely are the words of someone whose thoughts we liked and added to our repertoire so to speak. Anyway, this particular quote is so strong and I have always loved it and shared it as often as it makes sense to do so.

As I considered what thoughts would I want to share with my neighbor and the other lovely folks I know who are graduating, this is what came to mind first. Regardless of if you are 18, 22 or a 49-year-old (congrats Deb!), these words hold much wisdom and inspiration.

So, here’s the question:

  • What part of the world do you feel needs changed?
  • Are you moved by social justice issues?
  • Are you moved by technology?
  • Freedom?

Now, take take that down a level and identify the issue that really stirs your soul…

  • Social Justice Issues?
  • Children going to school hungry?
  • Technology?
  • How will our children (or us) deal with face to face relationships with so much concentration on the use of technology?
  • Freedom?
  • Global issues in Israel/Palestine? Syria?
  • In our generation, does it make sense that we really have people that do not have a home or that have a wall separating them from their neighbors?

____________________________________________________________________________

How do we go about changing the world?

  • First make a decision that you aren’t just going to sit back and allow whatever it is that pulls your heart strings to happen on your watch.
  • Rally a small group (that can be one or ten…) and share your vision.
  • Put together a few steps you can take to start to take action!
  • Get going!

The only other key that I feel is important is that you can’t be concerned about your age.  There are so many great stories from young children (Gracie Schram… Right in our own community has done just that) to our wisest elders who made a decision to change the world and then did. Age isn’t a factor! Jump in EVEN IF you feel unprepared! Our world was built on the backs of those that did just that and NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

BE BOLD!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

How to achieve amazing creativity

blog_796598_2900889_1462993889You might start by asking what does Menlo Park have to do with anything? One of my favorite motivational teachers is a guy by the name of Robin Sharma. He has a series of mastery sessions, and last month he did a great one by a similar title where he shared the story of a PBS special featuring Thomas Edison and how he inspired the world. Please follow the link if you want to listen to the full session, it’s terrific!

In short, Thomas Edison made Menlo Park his laboratory for creating. If you read the Wikipedia insert below, it’s now a museum which is pretty cool. (I had no idea!) As you know, his creation of the first incandescent light bulb is one of the greatest inventions of all time. That and the phonograph were created in the Menlo Park warehouse.

In order to “CREATE” in the best way, we must go about creating an environment that allows our minds to think freely and elaborate on those ideas that pop in and out of our minds throughout our days. I just loved this.

Here are some highlights….

  1. Create a separate space to work on creativity, DISTRACTION FREE. It may be a coffee shop, Cabin in the woods, a space you’ve carved out in your home, or business… No matter what, make sure it inspires you.
  2. Make sure your space is INSPIRATIONAL. What is that to you? Sunlight, comfy chair, white walls and markers? Inspiring quotes? Fresh flowers? Some terrific instrumental music? Make sure it is as clutter free as possible, so there is “free space” to think.
  3. Consider new places! Travel if you can, “A change of space = a change of perspective” (Batterson) is one of my favorite quotes.
  4. Schedule time in your “Menlo Park.” I just did this after being inspired by this video. I already do my writing generally at a local coffee shop on Saturday mornings, but I also scheduled a “creativity” retreat for July which I’m excited about. It is definitely true that what gets scheduled gets done. I am thinking two a year will be a great start.

I’d love to hear your ideas. I hope this inspires you as it did me!

EXTRAS:
– Thomas Edison PBS Special
– Wikipedia page on Menlo Park, an unincorporated community located within Edison Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

SevenDays: A conversation that matters

blog_787945_2888090_1460593470Tuesday was the kick-off to the annual SevenDays events in Kansas City. I attended a terrific session on Tuesday night to hear Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein speak on the topic of Interfaith and why it matters. I wanted to provide an overview of that session for you, but I also wanted to share a quick story on the topic.

I asked one of my boys to attend the session Tuesday night explaining why this idea of Interfaith is important. He was confused because in his mind he is certainly open to all races and religions and as far as he was concerned there was not a good reason to learn more about the topic. I loved that, because I think it explains how many feel. Not long ago most of our country could say that they embraced all others. As generations have become educated and society progresses we have indeed made great strides forward.

I have to admit that I also didn’t like this response at all, because I personally know that there is so much more. It wasn’t until just a few years ago (well into my 40s) that I attended a friend’s Passover Seder, which was an important step in understanding her faith. I still haven’t made the steps necessary to learn about my Muslim neighbors, and the list goes on. So, yes, we have made progress, but we have to do more to make the impact that is possible and necessary.

This summary below is just that, a high level overview… I’d love to hear your thoughts and also if you have questions, I’d be happy to moderate getting those to the Rabbi.

Why Interfaith? A lot of reasons, but in our current environment, understanding is the imperative to solving global issues that didn’t really exist prior to the current fast-paced communication and social media opportunities that ensure we have at our ready world-wide news and can react and respond right away.

A great example he gave:  In our country we enjoy freedom of religion, which is why my son answered as he did – makes sense. Unfortunately other countries do not enjoy freedom of religion. It is important for us all to understand the implications of this on world peace.

4 keys ways we can inspire each other in interfaith:

  1. ENCOUNTER one another – Yep, invite your Muslim neighbor over, or if you are Muslim, invite your Christian neighbor over to begin a conversation of understanding.
  2. STUDY other countries, religions, beliefs – We must challenge ourselves to understand fully the traditions of others to truly understand them.
  3. PRAYER–  The Rabbi included this and I thought it was great. This may seem like an easy list, but it isn’t. Even taking the first step seems some how beyond our ability to just jump out and make it a priority. We need to pray that God would give us a passion for understanding.
  4. SERVICE – Perfect that he ended with this. The idea being that once we come together we can translate that into ACTION that makes our communities and countries stronger.   Let’s contemplate that today!

In case you didn’t read Tuesday’s blog, there are some great activities/events happening in KC this week as a part of SevenDays. Check out the website for the full details.  And if you want to know more about Rabbig Goshen-Gottenstein’s interfaith work, check it out here.

Have a strong wrap to your week!

Happy Easter Sunday!

blog_782046_2879190_1459085848Easter is an incredible holiday.

The Bible verse in this photo is my favorite and a perfect “simple thought” for Sunday. I love to remember that Jesus came to serve and save. The action has the opportunity to center us around a common purpose. I believe he wants us to serve others in the same spirit, every chance we get. We are in fact called to do so!

Let us pray today that our country will come together and unify around the idea of service and love for one another – ALL OTHERS.

Happy Easter my friends!

(Photo Creds: I Heart It)

March Madness: Your billion dollar idea

blog_780532_2877683_1458796403One of my boys and I were “googling” last week what NCAA Men’s Basketball is worth and who even thought of the idea in the first place? (By the way, the advertising alone is worth $11 billion according to Business Insider.)

Was it a random idea, or well-planned out like an entrepreneur striving to see their dream come true? Well, the truth is it seems to have two potential starts… One from a high school basketball tournament in a small Illinois town where a Henry V. Porter coined the term “March madness” in the 1939 Illinois Scholastic (details from the IHSA). Also in 1939, the term started (or spread?) to college when Coach Harold Olsen of Ohio State University brought it to the National Association of Basketball Coaches.  A few years later, in 1984, Bob Walsh of the Seattle Organizing Committee is credited with starting the March Madness Celebration, according to Mashable.

As with many “good ideas” and with the “American Way” fully behind it, it was a good idea built on to another good idea, and eventually evolving today to what is WAY MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLAR IDEA.

The truth is that even though this picture states that “I love this game,” I truly only love it during the March Madness run each Spring. Who doesn’t thrive on a bit of friendly competition and a distraction from the everyday? The excitement of others watching their favorite teams is contagious and, no matter how silly to some, I love the environment to jump on the “bandwagon” so to speak. So, while I don’t love the game “per se,” I love the fun and excitement that comes from it!

Our theme this week is IDEAS. I’m leaving you with this thought today: What idea do you already have or have you possibly heard that you think just may become great with a little “pizazz” – AKA, your personal spin – added to it? Give it some more thought if it “stirs” you… It may just be the next BILLION DOLLAR IDEA – or make that an $11 billion idea.

(Photo Creds:  Pinterest, courtesy of Zazzle)

3 Ideas to get your thoughts rolling

blog_777233_2871883_1458009812Building starts with a a great plan. A blueprint for something new, that the world hasn’t experienced before. Whether a home or the life of your child, it’s a strong plan that makes the finished product beautiful. True, sometimes, things “just happen” and it works out pretty good, like a new recipe, but good cooks (and even semi-okay ones like me…on a good day) will tell you that following a good recipe almost ensures success.

We all want to build something significant. Usually that is a significant life to start with. How do we do that? Here are three simple thoughts to get you started today!

  1. Wise counselors – In the first place, we need solid mentors, teachers and advisors to help build the plan. If you are building a house, seeking out an experienced architect and a reputable builder, is critical. It helps to find folks who have been around the block a few times and can speak with wisdom. It also helps to find those that care about you and want your success. Sometimes this can be harder than you think for some reason, but definitely seek people out. We need each other desperately.
  2. Invest your time and your mind – This one I think is huge. We all say we want to do something meaningful- make our communities better, etc, but don’t take the time to read, study, understand and truly make decisions and plans that helps us to do that. This pre-election period has been a great reminder of what happens when we don’t invest our time and become educated on critical topics…
  3. Take action – Don’t wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is never promised, at least our on earth tomorrow. We can accomplish so much if we take the full span of time we are given and ACTIVATE those IDEAS that are rolling around in our minds. Today is THE PERFECT DAY TO START!

(Photo Creds – Pinterest: The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts)

A greater understanding: 3 simple thoughts

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I would love for you all to stop and take a look at this photo.

You likely don’t know what it represents so allow me to share. This was taken a mere 7 days ago in Bethlehem, near the wall that has been erected to block the fighting between Palestine and Israel. (Formally known as the Israeli West Bank barrier- spanning 430 miles.) The “wall’s” first segment was complete in 2003. From 2000-2003 there were 73 suicide bombing carried out in this area called the West Bank and in the period after built, 8/2003 to 12/2006, there were only 12 attacks. The “wall” built to protect civilians seems to be doing the job that was intended at first glance.

On the other side of the story, these children I photographed do not know life without the “wall” and their government (Palestinian) would argue that the barrier includes reduced freedoms including access to medical care and educational services, as well as limiting access to water sources and ultimately economic effects.

In summary, the United Nations 2005 reports states it best, “…it is difficult to overstate the humanitarian impact of the Barrier.”

As I always promise to keep these blogs short and thought-provoking, I want to simply ask today that you think about this situation. There are of course multiple issues surrounding this topic, so I don’t want to minimalize it, but I do want us to think about how this matters to us in the United States. Here are three simple thoughts to get you started…

  1. The world is really a small place- As ISIS and other threats seem to close in, should we really be so simple-minded to think that couldn’t exist here in the USA? This election IS IMPORTANT. We must take the time to learn about the candidates and vote responsibily.
  2. Education is critical. It occurs to me that I had no real understanding that this existed a few days ago.  My children likely know a bit less than I do and they are 19. We must do better and gain a greater understanding of our world.
  3. PEACE should be top of mind for our prayers and in our actions.  Where can you promote peace?  Where can you promote a greater understanding? My friend Mindy Corporon who lost her son and father tragically by a sick man almost two years ago, has launched an initiative called Seven Days, whose goal is to promote just this- A greater understanding.  I urge you to check out the site and  pick out one or two events that you will attend during this year’s activities which run from April 12-18 in our area. SEEK PEACE AT ALL COSTS.

(Photo Creds:  My Own)