To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Lift Others Up

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Acts of kindness belong at the top of our to-do list

“Outdo one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

This verse… is my life verse. This verse has the power to change the world alone. It gives us clear instruction to be devoted to one another in love and honor. It showcases that our humanity is here to help each other rise above and face both challenges and celebrations by turning our attention off of ourselves and on to the people God surrounded us with…even if we may not support their approach or their actions.

My dear friend Mindy Corporon is the most courageous and honoring person I know. Mindy’s story is known by many in our community, and now around the world. Her son and father – along with another lady in Kansas City – were brutally killed by a man whose life was infiltrated with hate. Her choice was to focus on the above – to love and to develop understanding, ultimately allowing her to get to honor. That’s a heavy story and the boldest example of what it means to love even though we flat out don’t want to. The significance of that cannot be described.

A part of this journey has resulted in the Faith Always Wins Foundation and Seven Days – Make a ripple, change the world. This week (or in a pandemic year- a couple of weeks …) is set aside each year to bring our community together to focus on how we get to love and honor by raising our awareness of our differences and embrace all who are walking this journey with us.

Acts of kindness are the ultimate example of living this out. They bring hope to the room, elevate the energy around us and even save lives.

So, what’s your act of kindness going to be? I think we need to start each day with this at the top of our to do list. There is no better time to spread love in every space we enter. Have the best week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Love, baby, love!

No surprises here with this message –– especially today! Most of us know that LOVING well is not only important, but it is the best part of life, without a doubt. When God surrounds us with the people we need to love on, our hearts overflow.

Today, I thought it may be good to talk about what that might look like when seasons change in our lives, be it a kiddo going back to in-person learning, mom or dad move into a retirement community… you get my drift. Transitions can take us off of our path. Like when your friend, family member or coworker isn’t responding how they normally would, or when your sweet little toddler develops their own opinions about… everything. It can be hard to know how to love well. Does anyone else feel that?

What comes to mind for me is that loving well is listening well. I sometimes get this right, but oftentimes not so much. Oftentimes, these big-life transitions and “impact seasons” have to be processed. Processing takes time and patience, and everyone is different in how they go about this. Some want to talk it out, some want to distract themselves, some want to run and hope they don’t ever have to deal it. No matter what, if we can just listen, observe, take it in and pray for a deeper understanding of how we can love the best “right now,” I believe God will provide us the direction we need to love well.

It may sound easy, like a simple thought, but honestly I feel this is the most challenging and intention is required. How can you listen well and love well this week?

I hope you have a blessed and love-filled Valentine’s Day, friends!

Clarity in the chaos

Sometimes this “clarity” happens after the “rumble” but often it happens right in the middle of chaos. It’s as if the heavens opened and sent down a signal (through a friend sharing their story, a headline, sermon, or some other message…). This new information helps you develop a narrative you can understand and create sanity around the situation you are faced with. Sometimes, this revelation offers you just the grace you need to push through, develop a go-forward plan, or perhaps just enough energy to allow you to sit quietly and listen attentively for the next step.

Clarity is found in that listening, and listening is where we find the the ability to ground ourselves.

I am finding that the season that we find ourselves in calls for us to become “grounded” again. To call on our “roots,” if you will, to provide us the viability we need to continue to thrive. Most conversations I have on any given day, include that people are feeling tired and left with no more to give in this year of unknowns. The very idea of waking up everyday and not having a clear view of the road ahead has taken its toll.

The very definition of “grounded” (thank you Google), is “…referring to someones physical and mental state of being confident and sure of oneself… having a strong connection with who you are, and where you are going.” THAT is generally where we find ourselves in January when we make our lists of goals, get motivated by books and messages across our environments, put on our running shoes and show up ready to go after our dreams with gusto. This year, the race fell off course around week 10 and we have been doing all we can to adjust and adapt since then I’m pretty proud of everyone I’m around for their resilience, although I’m keenly aware that the toll is probably not at all calculated yet.

The need has never been greater, regardless of your age, to do what we can to use these final 6 weeks to center and ground ourselves. We need to be intentional and find that extra time to seek joy in all manner of ways. Taking the time for a cup of coffee and deep conversation with a loved one may create a depth you haven’t had in years. These weeks offer us the opportunity to be intentional if we take the time to figure out what might get us to a place of renewal in a chaotic cycle of life.

I am personally praying for all of us today, that we might find ourselves immersed in silent moments that offer to us finding our roots and being refreshed and reminded of what’s truly important in life. It really doesn’t matter what tomorrow brings, because God has given us exactly what we need for today. I hope we will all find clarity in the midst of chaos and a feeling of solid grounding that we don’t even understand.

Everyone needs a champion!

This is such an important message – one that we should all feel strongly about.

It doesn’t matter if you are young like these sweet girls, in school, starting your career, mid-career or past retirement age. It doesn’t matter if you work or don’t work. It doesn’t matter what your education is or how awesome your credentials are. One hundred percent of us are happier and more fulfilled when we have a champion – preferably a few!

I didn’t realize it was such a problem until I started a new job quite a few years ago. It was difficult for me to understand that most people I worked with directly went through their days and years (in one case, over 20 years) without a champion. In fact, when asked who their champion was, there was a blank stare as if they didn’t know what a champion was. It was palpable in the culture. I have since then had this conversation with many, and found that our company was not alone. I also found that many across my social groups also didn’t feel they necessarily had a champion in life. That is just not right. (Side note: I’m not indicating that the entire company was that way, but pockets within the office.)

I wondered how they progressed… learned… advanced… I found out that most of them really didn’t – they were stagnant. Sure, business priorities and strategies changed from year to year, but the feeling of thriving, or truly moving toward purpose was non existent for far too many.

It had me thinking. Is it a choice? Do they even know what it feels like to have someone that is an advocate? Someone that is going to bat for you and helping advance your cause and work? What if you want someone to “champion” you but you don’t know how to ask or where to start? Is that your responsibility, or your employer’s?

So many questions. An issue I never realized was so complicated. I have always been part of a culture that ensured people were supporting/championed. I try to do that at home too. After all, it starts there, right? We all need someone that leads our fan club.

My hope with this post is if you aren’t being championed, you develop a plan to change that. Heck, I’d be glad to help! If you aren’t championing someone outside of your home, I think finding someone that could use your support would be a really great thing to do. Again, it doesn’t matter your age nor situation… giving someone a hand up ends up making more of a difference to you personally.

Finally, if you do happen to be in the work place, please make sure that everyone in your circle has a champion. The culture will be better for it, and that could be a game changer for 2020. I’m all about game changers. Go be a champion!

The magic of humanity

Hey you.

Yeah, you. 

This post is about you.

As a woman of faith, one thing I know to be true is that God created us all with absolute perfection. Everyone you meet – every last one of them – was designed for a purpose, for the generation they were born into. Every person – especially the most seemingly hard to love – were once a child ready to be poured into and ready to pour out to improve our world.

It’s useful to be reminded, especially during the holiday season, that there are a lot of people who really could use this message. Our communities are filled with stories of pain, heart ache, dreams shattered, illness and love lost. The innocence of that once-happy child is only a memory now. It is up to us to recognize this reality and provide a light of hope and joy to those in our presence.

If you are reading this, I’m certain that you, like me, truly want to “serve well.” Your heart is willing and able and that is exactly what we need more of. We need to stand with an internal motivation to be on watch for those that could use some extra encouragement… to be seen, to be heard, to be loved. I feel this ability we all have is the magic of humanity. We have this great power to hold and be a lights for others, and that is where our beauty really shines.

Praying that you and your loved ones cherish the moments this week and that you are able to bring your joy to those who may be counting on you.

Rewind! This post is a throwback, but the topic is ever relevant. I hope you agree!

Setting anchors: Those people & things that secure our place

I judged a Master’s program case study competition on Friday. One group started and ended with Maslow’s Hierarchy when presenting their solution to achieving health sustainability for a specific city. I loved it!

You may recall that the base of the “hierarchy of human needs” is physiological needs (think food and water), but the very next is safety needs (think physical security, employment, resources, property), and then we go to love and belonging (think friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection). I would say that these three are the anchors. If we get to these, we can get to the next and final two, esteem (respect, self esteem, strength, freedom) and finally, self actualization (desiring the most that one can be).

I write and think a lot about fulfilling the calling on my life. Constantly praying, meditating and taking actions to move toward where I feel I am supposed to go. I got to thinking how smart these students were to tie back the very root to Maslow’s famous thinking. It’s so true that even if we want to get to our best self, we can’t get there without having anchors set in the key areas. WOW. Light bulb!

So, where do I – where do you; where does your family – need to set their anchors. Are the key areas locked in and safe? This expands to all manner of thoughts from the money in my emergency fund, to the schedule I keep, and margin I have created to allow me to get to maximum creativity and a sense of accomplishment.

Entrepreneurs often refer to “anchor clients.” Those who secure their business, ensure adequate cash flow and a baseline of success to grow upon. Who are your “anchor clients?” Who are those people who when you are around that enable you to be fully yourself and fully engaged? It always seems to come back to people. Who are those who need an investment and an established anchor?

It’s November! YAY! Two more months and we celebrate another 365 days (AKA another trip around the sun). Speaking of sun, I’m thankful for each day we have and, in fact, I think that should be stated as one of my anchors! Sun! Good for our Vitamin D levels –– and the soul!

Have a strong week my friends.

A call to the people in your story

Who has been a key part of your story? Probably a lot of great influencers, and people who have walked alongside you at all ages. I don’t remember much from elementary school, but my immediate family stands out. There were a couple of friends I recall, though not so much their names, from middle school skate parties and endless sleepovers. High school and college have many stand outs, from dear friends, to teachers and even early bosses. My career has provided great leaders, and awful managers; those who have mentored me, and those I have mentored. My mind can also see what seems like hundreds of faces of people who have impacted me with their stories of bravery, courage and otherwise living out lives of excellence and humility on a day in and day out basis.

Here’s the idea today: We need to reflect. We need to take the time to look back and see how the right people have been placed right where we needed them – at just the right time. It is so cool how life seems designed to provide the hope we needed in a moment, the lesson that we perhaps didn’t know we needed, or the courage to rise to the occasion of something or for someone that really needed our support. Our journeys are so much better thanks to these people – many of them surrounding us right this moment. You know what is great? We have the opportunity to let them know about that impact.

As it’s still back-to-school season, I thought it was the perfect time for this little “assignment.” Who is in with me on calling out those people who have been key to your life, and reaching out with a big thank you? By Friday, let’s each identify at least 3 people, and go spread some gratitude and joy? I know it will make all of the difference. Have an awesome week!

The happiness blog

What a wonderful question! So… what do you think? Who are you with when you are the happiest? 

Do you feel warm and settled in with family? Game night? Holidays? A simple stroll through the neighborhood, sharing about your day? 

Perhaps you’re happiest when grabbing a cup of coffee with a trusted confidant?

Or maybe it’s adventuring the world with your best friend? 

Better yet – riding down a country road with a great playlist while your dog enjoys the breeze out the back window?

Happy? What does it even mean, and does it really matter? To me it is feeling free to be fully myself; to have someone share the full experience of life… bringing the fun and adventurous in one moment, and diving into a deep conversation in the next. (For the record, Merriam-Webster showcases happy as contentment, well-being, glad, pleased, atmosphere of fellowship.)  All of that sounds okay but for me not enough... happy should be pure and bold joy!

And regarding the whole “does it matter” part: of course it does! I hope your heart would give a resounding YES to that question, but in case you didn’t know, the topic is backed by science. A 2005 paper found that happiness predicts lower heart rates and blood pressure. In the study, participants rated their happiness over 30 times in one day, and then again three years later – a significant study. Your happiness level also impacts productivity. Researchers find that there is a 12 percent increase in productivity when people are happy and a 10 percent decrease when unhappy. I don’t know about you but I can’t afford to lose 10 percent of my days. (These are only a couple of studies… if you need more reason I’d be happy to fill up your inbox… think lowering stress, improving immunity, etc.).

All of that information was not surprising to me at all, but nevertheless, powerful if you take it in fully. I hope that in some way, bringing this to your attention prompts you to shift your focus on understanding what and who makes you the happiest. For me, it is worth my time and energy because life is fleeting, as we were all reminded this week with the tragedies happening across our nation and even locally. I want to spend every minute I can with those that help me thrive and grow! 

So… it seems like a really good time to consider stirring up some happiness! How about calling that amazing friend and scheduling a summer sunset experience or perhaps a long chat on one of the many great patios around town. The options are endless.

Have an incredible week!

What deserves your highest honor?

Honor. It’s one of the best words on the planet. It’s what we really do to serve well. But, serving ourselves well is also an important part of that.

This post can go in many directions…

Who have I not honored as much as I should have this year? Someone I really want to honor every day, but for some reason life has taken hold and I haven’t done so. Perhaps someone I know I want in my life indefinitely.

What have I not been honoring? Is it my attention to community service? Or could it be a distant friend that – although you don’t need to see each other weekly to know you are there for one another – you really want to spend more time with. It could be all manner of things: maintenance needed on your home or car, for example. What is it that requires your attention?

But back to where we started this post. What about how you honor yourself? This message is strong. Attention goes where energy flows, after all.

How can we focus on personal wellness? Some members of my team were having a “water” contest on Monday. I thought that was a great start. What about taking that next call outside while walking? Healthier choices when ordering food? Heck, maybe you combine a couple of these broader ideas and get moving with an old friend… or even get moving with some spring cleaning. I know my garage is a winter mess.

If you would like some professional input on all things wellness, I highly recommend Dr. Michelle Robin. Her podcast, books, etc. are terrific places to start because they are easy, practical and profound.

I hope you all are having a fantastic week! Let’s wrap it strong and go out with high honor for all those people, places or things, that are so important in our lives.

It takes a strong person to be kind

An excerpt from Maria Shriver’s short read, “I’ve been Thinking,” was powerful to me:

“We all want to be treated with kindness, because we are all struggling in some way, shape or form. I had to learn this as an adult, because growing up in a large, competitive, and tough Irish Catholic family, I used to confuse kindness with weakness. When I grew up, I learned differently. I now understand that kindness doesn’t mean weakness. You have to be really strong to be kind…You have to be really mindful … A person may look ‘happy on the outside,’ but who knows what’s happening on the inside.”

Some of the strongest people I know are also the kindest. And many have been through or are going through some crazy-hard life situations. They show up with a hug or inspirational words despite facing great loss and suffering. Knowing that was proof enough for Maria’s message to resonate with me.

I know that God has given me enough grace in some of my own “most difficult life experiences” to allow me to “show up” as kind and generous in my actions despite how I really felt inside. I can’t take credit for this because, like most of humanity, I’m not strong enough on my own. I give thanks for that to both by faith and a strong tribe of friends and family that surround me.

Today, be proud of yourself for showing up kind, in the midst of whatever is going on in your life. The ability to do so reveals great strength. I believe we definitely make the world better by showing kindness in every possible moment we can…especially when it’s the hardest to do so. You know what else is fun? Doing so likely will have the outcome of making us feel happier, which is a pretty cool by-product.