To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Grit

Real love is lived out

(Image from post via 11/2015)

I guess I’ve been doing this over two years now since this popped up on my Facebook timeline and I loved the image. (My website has changed since then, but I’m reusing and recycling anyway.) Maybe we could even call this upcycling, which is the trendy term for the “creative reuse” of something.

I don’t know about you but my heart is always warmed when I see someone open a door for someone, walk somebody across the street, bring a neighbor’s trash can up the driveway (or any other means by which we see a person go out of their way to help another person). I love the people that say yes when the grocery store clerk asks if they’d like to donate $5 to Harvesters or some other good cause.

As you go through your week, look around and I promise you’ll find someone that could use a helpful hand. There is a lot of need in every circle of the world. It may be as simple as a smile or compliment.

By the way, you DO LOOK GOOD TODAY! Just sayin’!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: God says GO

(quote from @SamuelRodriguez via Instagram)

How many times have you had something difficult to overcome and you kept going to God in prayer? Frustrated that it seemed like nothing was happening, and doubting your own faith.

In my life I have definitely seen that there are plenty of times that I was supposed to CLIMB over it, through it, and sometimes with blood, sweat and tears involved. (Lots of tears and not a lot of blood, thank God.) Lots of conversations and heartache, and yet we must CLIMB.

It is in those experiences that I believe we grow and learn the most about ourselves and how to endure so that we can truly become who we are supposed to be to serve the VERY BEST. As you are planning your week, give some thought to anything that you have been hoping that God would take away. Perhaps your direction is to move through it.

Have the very best week! Less than a handful left in this crazy year!

Let your SOUL catch up this weekend!

(Photo Creds: Our recent Paul’s Journey adventure)

I REALLY like this idea. Boy does my SOUL NEED TO CATCH UP. How about yours?

As you get ready for the weekend, I’d like to get your thoughts rolling around what this means to you.

Does it mean you need to hit the gym?

Spend some time in nature?

Spend some time alone? As in really alone… listening to what the universe is speaking to you?

Do you need to take a hot bath and think through a problem on your heart… or perhaps think about nothing at all?

Find some time to spend with your favorite sounding board?

Put together your master list so this holiday season is full of  joy and not flying by the seat of your pants?

A one or three-day juice fast to cleanse your body?

I can assure you I need more than one of these and I’d love to hear yours. Taking care of our SOUL and spirit is perhaps the most important thing we can do to ensure we are at our best and able to truly SERVE WELL!  Think about it. 🙂

BETTER

I am always fascinated by what makes a place “all of the rage.”

You know, those cult-like places where folks like us stand in line for hours waiting for our share of their awesomeness. In KC, there are several of these, but my favorite stand out right now is an ice cream place called BettyRaes.

(Photo creds: Canva)

It is SO HOT that Trip Advisor named it a top 50 “ice cream shops worth traveling for.” And it’s only a few years old, if that. Believe me, folks do travel for it and most days the line is out the door. But why? (Other than the s’mores sundae with coffee ice cream — pretty much is the best thing I’ve ever had…)

My perspective: It’s better. As in truly better.

It has created a unique offering via it’s menu. The service is better. The shop is community focused.

As Seth Godin, the famous marketer, would say: it’s achieved the notion of BETTER.

As we think through how we serve better, let’s think about what else we can do better. Be kinder, more focused on those around us, more open minded, more giving, more courteous drivers, more patient (that one resonates with me!), etc…

If you are in business — profit or non-profit — how can we be deemed “worthy” of a line out our door? We start by looking in the mirror and identifying areas where we can be better, and then we dive deep to get to worthy… and ideally, sustainable.

Your ideas are welcome!

(Here’s a song to get you in the mood and the mindset!)

What is required: Getting to JOY

Honestly, I don’t know why the first quote on the photo caught my attention. I try to write about the things I feel the universe is telling me is relevant to me and you, the readers of this blog, right now. I hope you agree!

I am a visual thinker, and I immediately thought of this as a full-circle issue. We start with joy as a child… How could we be born any other way? We either learn to accept grace (my favorite definition is ‘undeserved forgiveness’) and give grace, or we don’t. That determines whether we can build strong relationships, because God knows it is required to do so. Life then puts us through trials, starting too young for some. We develop our character and, in the process, we strive for joy despite those challenges – and the process continues.

As I write this, I’m developing a better understanding of why the quote stood out to me.

You see, I, like most of you I’m sure, have faced some trials. Some pretty big ones, and some starting out way too young. I have often been asked where I find my joy. The answer is the faith I have in God. I think it’s worthy to note that I have been tested and I give grace and strive for joy because I truly want to add value to this world I live in. I want to use what I learned through each challenge as a tool to sharpen me as a human being. My little “carpet square” of the world wants to radiate happiness and inspiration.

We have a choice to turn our trials into joy. I hope you’ll choose that with me. The world needs us right now. My promise is that I’ll continue to encourage you to do so… It’s hard some days, I know.

Yikes, I don’t know what to say… (reach out anyway)

(Photo Creds: Canva)

Have you ever been in a position where you really didn’t know what to say? Someone is sick? Someone lost someone they love? Maybe they went through a divorce or a break up? Perhaps someone you know is going to be alone this holiday season…

These situations create awkwardness as we contemplate possible uncomfortable circumstances where we really don’t know what to say. Sometimes it’s easier to just live your life and not make the call or drop in, and instead pray that God will comfort them. I wanted to share what I’ve learned about this topic, but I also want to tell you I’m not necessarily good at it — it’s a work in progress for sure.

Here’s the deal: The answer to those prayers is likely you. We are the “feet on the street,”  the ones that God intended to use to comfort others, to lift them up, and this may just mean a simple conversation to let someone know you care and are listening. I have read some decent research and heard from friends — the answer is the same: WE NEED TO STEP INTO THE DISCOMFORT and just be there. Just being there is all you need to do. You don’t need to have the “right” thing to say, or to really say much. An encouraging word… a listening ear, a hug…

As you go into the weekend, who do you need to reach out to? I hope you’ll make that call or drop in with a small bouquet and let someone who needs it know that you care.

Love, admiration and respect: All relationship “must haves”

I just had to address this topic. You see, I had dinner with a friend last week and we were talking about our young men/women and relationships.

This is not the first conversation about this same topic that I’ve had in the past few years. I guess I’m at the age where the next phase of our kids’ lives could include a trip down the aisle. If you have younger kids, pay close attention. The conversation on intentional parenting, aunt-ing, grandparent-ing, etc. is worth it right now.

(Photo creds: Canva)

As you know, I read a lot. And soon, I’ll have 5 decades under my belt. Using Oprah’s popular lead in, “one thing I know for sure” is we need to be in relationships where we are loved deeply, admired and perhaps above all respected.

Most relationship experts say respect is a core need, particularly strong for a man, but also important for a woman. My grandparents backed this up. I once asked them their secret to marriage and they both said respect: “We may have disagreements, but we always keep them for after the event, and sit at the kitchen table until we resolve them — never taking our disagreements public.”

While men may have a top need for respect, women need to be admired and that means acknowledging often so there is no question she is adored.

I think we are in a little bit of a crisis. Sure, I think most get the whole love thing. What seems to be missing is the time and attention necessary to build and show admiration, adoration and respect. We need to up the game early so that our young children understand just how important this is. Being in a relationship with someone that leaves you at a party to hang with their friends, doesn’t invest time in tender conversations, doesn’t want to spend time with your friends/family… I could go on, if you can’t tell. All are things I’ve heard and have seen lately.

Folks, please don’t blow this off. We have an entire generation that perhaps hasn’t seen this modeled well. TV and movies probably make it worse. If we want them to have successful relationships it is going to be because we invested our energy into making sure they both know they need it, what it looks like and how to give it in the best possible ways.

Iron sharpens iron, and don’t you forget it

(Photo creds: Unsplash.com)

(As I continue my adventure through Paul’s Journey, I’m throwing it back to another 2016 gem. I hope it reverberates with you today in 2017 the way it does with me. Don’t forget, I’m cheering you on through your week!)

I can’t imagine my life without those that surround me and sharpen me. It is one of the lessons I try to impart upon my boys, although, I know it is different for boys. They don’t naturally share with one another like girls do, but it is just as important for them. God designed us this way.

Today, I thought it would be a great time to just sit down and make a list of those that have sharpened me and when possible send them a quick thanks…

To the teacher that invested in my life, drawing out a young girl, inspiring, pushing gently, pulling at times, but always encouraging, thank you!

To my sister who was and is the one who has the hard conversations and who also celebrates life’s important moments with us, thank you!

To the gals in my personal tribe, friends from many groups… WOW… I am far better because of all of you, thank you!

To my mentors or mentees… I have learned an equal amount from each of them, thank you!

To my boys who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself from early morning feelings, to late night talks about college life. (I won’t give up on the whole “boys need to be in community too” part!) Thank you, boys!

Who has “sharpened” you, raised the bar, elevated your “game”? I bet they’d love to hear from you this week!

There’s never a wrong time to talk about courage

Breathing some new life into this post from 2015, because there’s never a wrong time to talk about having more courage in our lives. Wouldn’t you agree? 

Brilliance: Exceptional talent or intelligence.
Courage: The ability to do something that frightens one.

(Photo creds: Unsplash.com)

Yet still, courage is always brilliant.

Courage is stepping into a boardroom prepared to give a killer presentation.

Courage is going into an interview for a job you desperately need.

Courage is signing for your first big purchase. And second. And third.

Courage is bringing your first child home from the hospital.

Courage is rising to the occasion to help someone in need, in deed or voice.

Courage is facing a tough loss and making something better out of the situation!

Courage is taking the long road to leave your home and crossing borders to achieve your goal.

Courage is seeing the good in bad situations with great faith.

Who do you see courage in each day? Tell them! I know I see courage in many of you.  Now, go be BRILLIANT!

Mind over matter: Don’t give up

(Photo creds: Unsplash.com)

Since Sunday’s ‘Simple Thoughts’ post was focused on the power of the mind and the human spirit to achieve anything, today I’m throwing it back to an extra-relevant post from this time last year.

I have had many a friend or colleague recently that are going through “hard” things, so now seems like the right time.

Incredibly challenging work situations, moral issues, children with health issues, children with drug problems, seemingly insurmountable financial challenges, loss of jobs, a strained relationship… the list goes on.

I’m sure you have your own. We all have seasons of pain and sometimes it’s a life-long undercurrent of something needing dealt with.

There was a book published several years ago by twin brothers who were 18 at the time, called ‘Do Hard Things.’ That book was written for teens as an encouragement to do the hard work and not get caught up in our me-first culture. The message, however, is ageless in its attempt to harness our power and potential. In order to achieve that, no matter what stage of life you are in, it requires us to “Do hard things.”

We must be accountable to excellence. We can’t stand on the sidelines and “hope.” We often use the idea that “hope is not a strategy” in the work place and I love it. We have to….

  • Have HARD conversations
  • Be uncomfortable
  • Find our voice… use it
  • Encourage each other, even those we don’t like
  • Reach out even when it’s cold outside and we want to go home and hide
  • Develop strategies for POSITIVE THINKING, even WHEN it’s not our natural course
  • Stop the negative commentary… You are not too old, too overweight…etc.  Change the narrative you tell yourself about yourself.

As our year winds down, I have great news… There is time left! Time to heal some wounds, address some of that stuff that is downright ugly and start the year with a truly fresh start.

What do you have in your life that needs dealt with? Who do you need to mend “fences” with, and launch into a better place? What needs to happen to set you up for success? Who will speak truth to you if you need a good honest answer to confront your own misigivings?

Let’s get uncomfortable together. I’d love to hear your stories along the way.