To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Grit

Simple Thoughts Sunday – The fight is won

(Photo Creds: Steven Furtick-Instagram)

Love this. I don’t know who else is having some “battles” starting 2017, but I already feel the pressure. I know that many of my friends are struggling too… broken marriages and other relationships crushing their spirits, etc.  The cold, flu or whatever this nasty bug is that has entered the homes of most people I know is still running rampant. Pressures of work and really just the struggle to achieve the ultimate desire to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the midst of it all creates an uncomfortable “I’m not enough to do this on my own” stir. I believe this is exactly the point.  God wants us to rely on him for all things.

This photo came across this week and I thought I need to print that off and put it squarely in front of whatever path I’m on – I needed this message and I’m hoping that this falls on some other “ears” that may need it as well.

Let us all remember that WHATEVER comes our way, that because of our faith, we have already OVERCOME. Even IF at first glance it appears otherwise (beaten and bruised and otherwise ready to run down the street crying “uncle”). We have someone else fighting for us and that is such a relief.

Why I do the Daniel Fast every January….

(Photo Creds: We Heart It. One of my all time favorite activities was going dogsledding in Colorado. It is not only beautiful but watching the dogs do what they love is incredible. I want to have the energy to pull through and achieve my 2017 purpose, which is why this photo appealed to me so much! If you make it out to Colorado or anywhere where there is snow this winter, please try to find somewhere to dog sled…it’s an incredible adventure.)

I started out on Sunday with the “paths” that God may take us down this year… knowing fully that “whatever” they may be that we are covered. He is with us and surrounding us at all times with just who and what we need to not just survive, but to serve well.

About 5 years ago, I became friends with a group of wonderful people that introduced me to the Daniel Fast. Now, before you freak out and think I am not eating at all, please be assured, I AM and if you join me, you will actually enjoy it! (That was for you mom.)

The Daniel Fast is focused on the Old Testament scripture where Daniel refuses to eat the “rich food and wine” and despite that, he and his friends end up healthier and stronger than their fellow soldiers. The idea is that we should turn our focus to eating primarily plant based foods (no sugar, white flours, dairy nor meat) for 21 days and, at the same time, our attention should be on hearing what God may have in store for us. I do this every January usually from the 1-21st. There are many that do this starting the 8th, so it’s really just like anything else, a personal decision.

So why did this intrigue me and why might you want to consider it? Since I’ve trialed it for you and many ask me over the year, I thought it may be a worthwhile blog topic. Here’s the main reason:

The fast allows me to REFOCUS and, at the same time, RESET my physical health.

  • REFOCUS: By turning off social media for the most part and my attention on books, podcasts and other opportunities to learn and grow personally, I am able to remove the distractions that limit me from being my personal best.
  • RESET: You may be one of those people that eat healthy 24/7, 365 days a year, but I’m not. I try to go for the 85/15 rule, but it’s probably closer to 70/30 and that may be generous. This fast removes anything bad and allows my body to have time to recover and reset. Over the pasts 5 years I have given up any soda and sweetened tea or coffee and have a much higher knowledge and palette when it comes to sugar in general. It is truly amazing how much sugar is in everything. This RESET is AWESOME and the best thing I do all year for my mental and physical health. (As a side note, there have been a few years that I have done this again midway through the year… it’s just that good.)

For those of you who want more information, by all means please message me. There are books, blogs, websites, pinterest, etc. that offer us recipes and other inspiration focused on the Daniel Fast. A simple Google search goes a long way!

I’d love to hear any stories you all may want to share, and also if you do something like the Daniel Fast, please let us all know!

Stepping into the story – 2017

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love the new year. The shaking off of the old and the excitement of the possible. The new…

For those of you who are readers, it is much like the anticipation of a new book that everyone has told you that you “must” read. For the artist, the joy of the rough draft… the promise of the mental image coming to life.

Every new year is an opportunity to create a new story – to draw or form a crazy awesome work of art.

Regardless of what you are facing this year – a new relationship, a new diagnosis, a fresh start, a challenging project – it is your opportunity to shine right through it! To “decide” that whatever comes your way, that you are going to step in with a new optimism, a spirit of faith and a “get ‘er done” attitude.

After all, the story of our lives is a combination of the people in our lives, the places we travel, art, music, movies, good books and great food (and more). While we don’t get to know what is around each corner, we do get to choose how we are going to “show up,” and respond.

My prayer is that your 2017 story is made up of so many amazing chapters, that you focus on the good and that you decide today that the crazy and harsh will be just that… and left in it’s place. Life is short as anyone who has experienced loss knows all too well.

Let’s all form a “tribe” of people that create a magical story that makes everyone around us want to not only read it, but be a part of it!

It’s time to pick your ONE WORD!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It, and thanks to my son Sam who, when asked what is a visual that inspires him, he quickly said an eagle… a perfect choice!)

It’s that time of year! Last year I introduced this concept on the blog after having done it for a few years. I simply love this idea and it has had great meaning to me and the stories I have heard have been equally cool. Many of you shared your words with me. Words like…

Curiosity

Amplify

Discipline

Trust

Fun

Accelerate

Focus

My word this year has been “deeper.” Deeper friendships, going deeper in my faith, my career… deeper meaning.

I usually pray that God will give me the word that I should focus on… I’m not 100 percent sure this is the word, but it’s been sticking around in my head for a few weeks, so I think it may be it. The word is significance, as in “true significance.” Where do I get this? How can I lead a significant life? How do I truly help those in need and live out the commands in the bible to help the poor? I am one person, but have a true desire to help meaningfully. What does that look like?

Life is an incredible journey and one thing is for sure, and that is that we do not know from day to day where the road may take us. What we can do is live with intention and move toward what we believe is what will create for us the most fulfilled and well-lived life.

So, what is your word? Please share it if you want!

Raise a glass to those that help you be you!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

As we all get prepared to spend the next few days with those we love, and that God has surrounded us with, I thought this quote was ideal.

Acknowledging those that help us along the way – that cheer us on through prayer, kind words or even constructive criticism – is so very important. It takes a bit of extra time and thought, but being intentional about this can truly deepen your relationships and increase your own happiness.

There are times when we get overwhelmed with people or processes – or just life. If we can stop and take time to write out the reasons we appreciate those people it really shifts our thoughts to the positive.

I think I’m going to write a letter of blessing to my boys and maybe a few others. I am also going to spend some time during the pre and post-holiday meals to thank those that have had true meaning in my life, such as my grandma Zillhart. Every year, she pretty much stuns us all with the most amazing prayer of gratitude before our family holiday meals. That simple prayer enriches the lives of my boys and myself. The little things… they are the big things.

I hope that you will take time to “call out” those who help you achieve your best and if you’d like I know the readers would love to hear your story!

This is Us

(Photo Creds:We Heart It)

At a holiday meal last Monday my dear friends all shared how I just HAD to watch this new drama, ‘This is Us.’ This wasn’t the first time I had heard this, so I committed to doing something I had never done, which is “binge” watch this season.  I’m about three fourths through…staying up way later than normal.

If you know me… I don’t do that without a really good reason – and let me tell you folks, this is a good reason. THIS IS US is pretty much AMAZING in every way. I highly recommend it!

The picture above captures the theme of the story.  It’s love and cold and struggles and warmth all wrapped up into a beautiful scene… many beautiful scenes. It’s perfect. The NBC website describes it as “refreshingly honest.” It is that and more. It is us. It is all of our lives, woven together by fabrics of many colors.

As I age, I learn that the crazy parts of my childhood are maybe not as crazy as my mind created them to be. That all people have stories… stories that are both amazing and stories that are sad and sometimes messed up. What I’ve also learned is that life wouldn’t be as beautiful if we couldn’t contrast that with the not so “beautiful.” I’ve learned that fantasies of sugar plums dancing and the perfect family involves scenes that don’t make there way into Facebook feeds and photo albums.

The contrast is what allows us to highlight and cherish the good and it takes it all to make our lives fulfilled and magical.

‘This is Us’ is really good. I think it will help us all love better and serve better.

Joy is a function of gratitude and gratitude a function of perspective

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This phrase stopped me in my tracks. I was simply reading yesterday’s advent message and I had to take a moment to let this idea soak in. I get the idea that once we are grateful we can be more joyful. That seems simple to grasp. If I can understand how blessed I am and call those areas out, my life is happier and more joyful.

The second part hit me, because I think since gratitude does have to come first and we have to realize it’s not that simple if your perspective has shifted. Like most of you, I have many friends and family that have a different perspective due mainly to unfathomable loss that they have experienced. This can be in their health or of someone they care for, loss of a relationship, or even the sudden loss of a loved one. THESE REAL LIFE REALITIES NO DOUBT SHIFT your perspective and possibly can get some stuck in “neutral.”

This “neutral” creates, in some situations, not necessarily a heart nor soul that is ungrateful but a heart that can’t quite get to full gratitude and joy. After all, the pain is real, and our human nature causes us to not easily hurdle over pain to shouting joy to the world.

So, what to do? As you know, the goal of my writing almost always goes back to how to best SERVE WELL in our homes, communities and workplaces/schools etc. We really need to remember that we have an entire world around us that isn’t feeling joyful during this season. We need to maintain an empathetic PERSPECTIVE and do what we can to be that smile and that listening ear to possibly help move someone out of neutral and into gratitude & ultimately joy.

Have an amazing holiday weekend!

Who is that one person….?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Who is that one person that you meet with BUT not often enough? That person that no matter what, when you do get to share a conversation, they make you better? You leave smiling. You walk away going, “wow, I’m blessed.”

This question is a bit of a trick question, because at least for me, there is no way I could narrow this down to one person. Now, let’s make this a bit more difficult and unless there is absolutely no one else, let’s not think of dear friends or neighbors we see often, or immediate family members.

I did this little exercise a couple of weeks ago; reached out and scheduled lunch… AND, THIS IS THE WEEK. I get to meet with three of the coolest people and boy am I excited!

There is not much that should make us more “JOY CENTERED” than being with those people that most certainly God placed in our path for a reason, to change us for the better and create a life fulfilled.

Your challenge today is to at least come up with one…reach out and put it on the calendar.  A walk in the snow, a mid-day coffee break, a meal to break bread with those you love. Make it happen! I’d love to know if you joined me on this challenge.

Simple thoughts Sunday: JOY

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love the JOY of this picture. I’ll never forget the first real snow my dog experienced years ago. She ran, galloped, rolled and literally jumped INTO THE JOY. This is our opportunity this week. It’s Advent week three and the theme is JOY.

As Christians, we begin to let the season sneak into our hearts. No matter your faith, we all find ourselves singing along to favorite Christmas songs… ‘Baby it’s cold outside,’ ‘Mary did you know,’ Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you,’ and the ol’ faithful songs like ‘O Holy Night.’

Those famous lyrics seem to GENERATE JOY and a feeling that something “is different” about today – about the season we are in. It IS DIFFERENT. It’s special.

As you go into your week, my prayer is that you will not only find JOY AROUND EVERY CORNER, but that you will EMBRACE the reason for this season.

For those who want to go deeper, the following is the Prayer of Peace of St Francis of Assisi (St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history (had to look that one up). Even though this was written likely in the late 1100s, it stands true today.) 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is discord, union.  Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, HOPE.

Where there is darkness, LIGHT.

Where there is sadness, JOY.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!

Don’t settle down, stay hungry

(Photo Creds: We Heart It: Trialing a new app “Text on Photos”- thanks for being my test market!- Cool pic though!)

Stay Hungry!

Stay Healthy!

Stay Strong!

BELIEVE!

Go Beyond what you THINK you can do!

We all have these limits of what we think we can do. Depending on how we live and how our environments are, some of us think that at age 50 it’s time for a major slow down… get out the wool sweaters and boot covers and settle in for the winter. No use going out unless you have to, right? Others at 80-years+ are out shoveling others’ driveways, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and embarking on their latest adventure. What is the difference? It comes down to mindset. We ultimately decide how we are going to respond and how we want to live our days. WE HAVE A CHOICE.

I know some of you may push back and say that your schedule, an illness, injury or other situation has impacted you, and that may well be true. However, there are stories for those same examples from people who have faced the most enormous physical and mental challenges and CHOSE to live a full life anyway, IMPACTING the world around them in a positive way, and inspiring us all in the process.

A friend was telling a story last week about their first visit to the gym to meet with a trainer. They showed up and told the trainer, they “didn’t do” leg exercises or ab exercises. The trainer went on to begin work on arms with a pull-up set. My friend explained, “I can’t do those either, so let’s move on.” The funny thing is that of course they could do all of these things, once they made up their mind. Slowly but surely, a small step at a time, they not only did them, but did them well. (By the way, I’m pretty sure I shared that same story line with my friend…) The bottom line is that we need to NOT SETTLE and push through our mental blocks in order to achieve our best selves.

This is a terrific time of the year to begin to audit our lives. Where are we winning and where do we need to fire up the engines? What are we afraid of and what is standing in the way of us being our best? Once we can identify them, we can begin to develop a plan to overcome and ACHIEVE the best year ever in 2017. IT IS OUR CHOICE!

(By the way, I have been doing this gym thing for a couple of years now, and I still STRONGLY DISLIKE “LEG DAY.” I do it because I want to be strong so I can achieve my life goals…  Message here: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIKE EVERYTHING… Just decide you will do it anyway for the benefit it provides!)