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Freeing our minds to allow space for gratitude

I am all in on gratitude and the idea of wanting to feel it as much as possible. Sometimes I feel like this week each year we are supposed to “flip the proverbial switch” and get into a blissful attitude of deep thanks, as if it’s somehow automated.  With the hustle in most of our lives, this idea can seem a bit far reaching. The good news is that we can help ourselves out with a small dose of intention and action.

Did you know we cannot feel the full expression of gratitude available to us when our emotional and physical environments are filled with clutter? Yep, science backs up that “getting to gratitude” is challenged by the world around us. (By the way, that would be the world that we allow” around us, since we get to decide what we allow in our lives.)

So, as you move toward absolute gratitude, think about what you can eliminate… Whether it be the contents of the junk drawer or the high standards you have for yourself.  There are no doubt a number of items that can be stripped out in order to free up your energy, heart and mind.

Some other ideas…

Declutter relationships. Are yours serving you well?

Declutter the fears and anxieties that keep you up at night. Name them and claim them “gone” from your mind and, if necessary, make an appointment with a counselor to deal with those that you can’t seem to release on your own. (I have found that especially helpful.)

Declutter the frustrations of the past. Decide to allow forgiveness to yourself or others …and move on.

Declutter bad habits. The extra dessert, hitting snooze too many times, not keeping the commitment you made to yourself to exercise even on cold days and nights…

I know I have a few areas to focus on. I am looking forward to freeing up my schedule a bit so I can think and be mindful of what really matters to me… the people I love and who God placed in my life.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Breathing in all that is good

In high school I was a part of a group that was introduced to the power of controlling our thought processes through focused breathing and channeling in the good and out the bad stuff that tends to create anxiety. It admittedly has helped over the years, when I remember to do it.

If you ever find yourself in a place where you are upset or out of sorts, take a minute to breathe deep and thinking of calm and peace. Then with a strong exhale, push out all that is causing this distraction. For me, that exhale sometimes feels like there are 10 things that went through my mind…

This practice – which we now call meditation – is a hot topic in our increasingly-hectic world. As we start the new week, remember that we are all human, and we weren’t designed to take on all that we try to on some days. (Heck, we don’t even have to try. The issues just seem to come our way, at times – fast and furious.) 

The following scripture supports this idea that we are better if we are able to focus our minds in the right direction:

“Set your mind on things above, not earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

My prayer for you this week is that you will try to do just that. Keep your mind focused on the fact that we are here to serve well and achieve our purpose – the rest is simply a distraction. I hope that this idea of breathing in peace and breathing out the rest really is a game changer for you.

If you want to dive deeper into meditation, there are so many resources.  One I have found helpful is the CALM app. It offers a daily 10 minute guided meditation exercise I started using earlier this year. 

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A stadium cheering you on

“Let us Run.” This has always been one of my favorite scriptures because to me it brings action to mind.

I am not a runner, but wish I was. I do, however, identify with the idea that in order to truly live that we have to get up and move forward, regardless of what is going on.

At work, I have the honor of working with seniors. I love them. Just this week I was talking with some of our patient ambassadors and they were sharing stories of their lives, including struggles with diabetes, cancer, family, etc. Their unified message was that you have to get up and move. They also shared about the faith and friends that have provided them strength during their “race.”

That had me thinking, that the first part of this scripture, is often not quoted… This part from my perspective fills in the key part of the truth.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Did you get that “surrounded” part? Envision a stadium – better yet, ARROWHEAD – where the loudest fans in the world are supporting you. Put yourself on the field and throw out any excuses, pain and discomfort, and make a decision to move forward in FAITH. You have a universe cheering you on no matter what position life has you in today.

You could have, but you didn’t… (Raising our level of awareness to achieving our best selves)

Hmmm… this question is haunting a bit, right?

You could have…. what?

Worked out? Made that call? Sent that note? Finished that project? Started that new company? Ate healthier? Chose to drink more water? Spent less time online? Read more books? Signed up for that class? Started the hobby you have always wanted to take on? Wrote down your goals? Sought out help for that challenge that keeps you up at night? Called that local government official to exercise your right to be heard?

The list goes on.

What is it about the nature of humans that we do not always execute on what we know we want, or need, to do? Is it time, fear, laziness, avoidance? Why allow the distractions to overcome our precious time?

I don’t have the answers… Dr. Google does, though.

Here’s my insight for today: We have been given this one amazing life. We can choose to use our gifts and talents, to put our heart and soul into action.

I worry we succumb to distraction so easily that we are marginalizing ourselves. I know I can do better. I’d love to hear other thoughts here…

Have a fantastic week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Spiritual stamina

So love this. Stamina, endurance, staying power, fortitude, strength, energy, toughness, determination, tenacity, perseverance, GRIT.

How is your stamina today? How about your spiritual stamina? (Spiritual: “relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul…” Thank you, Google.)

When we go through our days, there is no doubt we encounter obstacles. We are all flawed people and most of us work, go to school or somehow interact with other flawed people daily. That fact alone makes it 100 percent likely that we will encounter challenging events, conversations etc. and will need to respond out of wisdom instead of emotion.

One of my absolute favorite stories in the Bible is found in 2 Chronicles where Solomon when he became king, asked God for wisdom above all things. We can and should all ask for wisdom. Wisdom allows us to take a deep breath and not allow ourselves to be caught up in an emotional reaction that we didn’t really intend or hope to have. Wisdom is healing.  Wisdom makes us better.

I for one am asking for wisdom right now. I pray your week is absolutely everything you want it to be!

Powerful thoughts, friendly reminders to act on our intentions

Probably more often than ‘every once in a while,’ we all need a reminder to slow down and act on our thoughts and intentions.

Our minds, no doubt, are filled with fleeting ideas and acknowledgements of people we need or want to reach out to. Developing a daily or weekly habit of making those calls, sending the note (or flowers), or even having that tough conversation will make us healthier. I believe doing so frees our spirit and minds and allows us to live a more authentic life. Acting on those good intentions provides us a pathway to live out the life we truly want to live.

A quick recount of a story that I’ve shared before: Two-ish years ago, one of my college friends did just this… She reached out to a handful of us and made that first effort to gather us after almost 30 years. We all acted and have now gotten together for a few days the last two winters. In between those weekends, has been a showcase of what true support and friendship is all about, cheering each other on in the good and challenging parts of life. It has been powerful. We reconnected and the power in our friendship we cultivated when we were young came back more stronger than ever.

Who might join me this weekend in creating that list and developing an action plan?

Simple Thoughts Sunday: History repeats itself

Tucked into Alex Seeley’s summer book debut, “Tailormade,” there is a sweet little chapter with this title.

The focus is on generational patterns and how they subtlety creep into our lives, even when we promise ourselves that we will or won’t “handle” life like those that went before us. It’s interesting that this behavior is exactly how the patterns continue. We must get to a place where we actually work through whatever caused us to proclaim that anyway, and where we can identify why we felt how we did. In a more simple statement: We need freedom so that we can actually stop the pattern.

I love the simplicity of the Psalms, and this one in particular: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (147:3)  (His promises on this topic are covered in quite a few other verses, so if you like to look up references, check out Isaiah 61:1 and 61:3.)

The verse is a little strong, so please recognize that not all generational patterns create a broken heart but to me, the idea that he “heals” us at all levels is comforting. I have found that both God’s word and being in a strong community of close friends with faith are essential to working through issues. I would also say a good counselor can be a game changer. When we are forced to ask the right questions we can all of a sudden seem to understand more. That clarity, mixed with taking action to recognize and deal with the answers brings us to freedom and the ability to actually stop the pattern.

Without a good plan, history will indeed repeat itself.

This week, let’s repeat the good, the healthy and the flat out awesome. If we have anything we need to better understand about ourselves, let’s look at our generational history and claim the outcome we desire. (For me, it seems like there will always be something I want to work on to be the best version of myself. Truly, it’s one of the favorite parts of  life… the sheer ability as a human to get better and stronger and help others in the process is as good as it gets.) 

Let’s be GENEROUS with our love and praise

It’s so natural and easy to be generous with our love – at least with some people in our lives. This picture draws to mind a grandfather and granddaughter, which reminds me of those in our close circle who we are able to embrace so much easier (most of the time, that is…). That’s a good thing!

Today, however, I’m thinking about how to be generous with love with all people. It’s absolutely essential that we all learn or grow this character quality of generously giving love, praise and gratitude. It makes our world the best place, when we all come to the table with this approach and attitude. Here are a couple of things that I am contemplating:

  • Too often, we jump into a conversation – let’s use the business world as an example – and start right into the topic at hand. We establish meeting agendas and construct our days with a focus on getting the work done. That’s America in action.

    What if we all held ourselves accountable with setting up every conversation, every meeting agenda, every day with the focus on people first? What if we genuinely took time to express genuine praise, or to share a fun story to highlight someone’s wins? What if? Wouldn’t it be nicer? Wouldn’t the energy increase? Wouldn’t the culture and momentum of the team build?

  • I’m also giving thought to the fact that there is so much power in the written word. Let’s not forget that while our schedules heat up with back to school, sports and a renewed focus on wrapping up the year strong, that we need to stop and generously offer words of encouragement. A tiny post it note of thanks will often be found on someone’s work space wall, home desk or tucked in a wallet for months and years to follow. People need and want to be recognized. That’s all people, regardless of status, title or age. If our schedules somehow get in the way of putting pen to (actual) paper, then I would submit that generously sending text messages or emails are also powerful. Those, like the post-it note, can be screenshot, and will serve as an ongoing reminder to people of their impact.

This is so important and I hope today that you will join me in being generous with your love and praise.

The ripple effect of our actions – or our inactions – are enormous

Now here’s a statement I could probably just leave as is and not opine further. It’s something for us all to think about and it certainly hit a nerve with me.

Most of us hear the word “ripple” and think of positive change… Things we do to “pay it forward,” and that have a lasting impact. I love that idea the most. It’s healing and somehow magical to think how we can all make a such a difference in our world. For that part, keep dreaming it and keep doing it! We need all of the positive ripples we can get.

For the last part, well, how often do we really think about our inaction? What are we not doing that is leaving a lasting impact? I don’t know, but here’s what came to mind…

  • Am I not telling my team how awesome they are enough?
  • Am I not doing enough?
  • Have I not done my part to create a neighborhood that’s caring and fun, and that embraces the spirit of what a neighborhood should be?
  • Have I not showcased to the next generation how to foster and build community?
  • Have I not stopped lately to pick up a piece of trash in my walking path? How does passing by that effect the world and that of our grandchildren and their children?

Hopefully you can track the train of thought here. It was definitely a stop-and-think statement, and I hope it does the same for you. Have such a wonderful week and let’s all go for the positive ripples and take action!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A banner year!

Happy Sunday! I love some abundance! My favorite is abundant life, as in full with joy and achieving purpose.

We are nearing the halfway mark for 2018, so it’s a great time to stop and declare (or recommit to) this thought and promise over our lives. We were all designed to live in abundance. We only have to set our minds on those things and move forward with actions that ensure we are on that path.

My prayer is that this week, you will consider what this looks like to you in every key area of your life, relationships, health,  finances, community engagement, etc. Abundance is yours for the taking.

Let’s all drive toward having a BANNER YEAR!