To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Inspiration

Hello February! Let it be powerful & sweet (and short)

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I am SO glad it’s February… Just weeks away from spring now, regardless of that dang groundhog – we all know it’s coming soon.

February used to be known for Valentine’s Day and of course that is a great time to spread love all around. Over the last several years the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement has given February a powerful purpose: raising awareness that heart disease is the leading killer of women in our country.

Often, like in the case of my Aunt Mary, it sneaks up on us disguised as indigestion or nausea. That was over 25 years ago. Just last week, a friend shared that one of her close group of friends, in their early 50s lost her life to heart disease very unexpectedly in October under similar circumstances – the symptoms didn’t scream heart disease, so it was overlooked.

This tells me one clear thing: While we have made great strides in 25 years, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, women think it’s normal to be tired or that that stomach pain is just “something I ate.” We don’t take care of ourselves like we should.

So for today, here is a simple reminder that it is worth your time to familiarize yourself and those ladies you love about the facts surrounding heart disease and women, ANNUALLY. This is a GREAT month to step up to the plate and help ensure we are getting this information out. It’s a short month, but still a POWERFUL time to save lives.

Here are some of the valuable insights you can find at the Go Red for Women website:

  • Cardiovascular disease or stroke causes 1 in 3 women’s death each year.
  • 90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
  • 80% of heart disease and stroke may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education.
  • Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
  • Heart attack warning signs include chest discomfort that lasts more than a few moments, or that goes away and comes back…
  • Symptoms can include discomfort in other areas of the upper body… one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Also, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or a lightheaded feeling.

Educate yourself and others! Craft a Facebook post to share that shares these symptoms – or share this blog!

Simple thoughts Sunday – Are your relationships bringing you closer?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Someone posed this question to me a few months ago. It’s intended to be focused on your intimate relationships, but it’s still pretty broad.

I first thought about how useful this question would be for my 20-year-old boys, and then quickly realized it is a completely legitimate question for me. I’m not married, and really only in the past year(ish) considered dating more seriously. I am grateful this question was brought to my attention, because in its simplicity it speaks volumes.

Shouldn’t I be filtering any potential “candidate” that may become a key part of my life through this life impacting question? After all, if he’s not moving me closer to God (in my case… I realize many others have different religions or viewpoints), then why should I waste my time? I shouldn’t. You shouldn’t.

Whatever is important to you, if your partner is not a part of helping you go in that direction then they probably aren’t a long-term part of your plan. (Clearly, if you are already in a relationship it may bring forth a different set of questions… like how can I bring my partner closer to God? How can I have a conversation that I need him to pray over me when I’m facing a challenge?)

The same would be true for friendships that you invest a lot of time with. Back to the school days when your parents tell you to “hang with the right crowd.” I think it’s worth it to take an inventory of those friends in your inner circle. Are they bringing positive energy? Are they investing in you and your happiness? It’s a good process.

Finally, how are you bringing your friends closer to God? Are you really praying for them, seeking their hearts and what they may be confronting right now? How can you step up in this area?

I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I hope it ignites a little fire in you that has you move in that direction.

Have an awesome week.

Everyone needs a champion

(Photo Creds: We Heart it)

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 four 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 in the work place? 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 the company you work for? What if you feel like you maybe could “champion” someone else, but you haven’t done that before and also aren’t quite sure how to start?

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 2017. I’m all about game changers. Go be a champion!

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!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: HAPPY NEW YEAR

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Happy New Year everyone.

Today sets forth a blank page and new path. I prefer my paths fairly straight, with few rocks and beautiful scenery. Mountains, rivers, friends, fresh air… That’s good because God promises us paths that drip with ABUNDANCE.

As we all know, life has many paths and some are what I fondly refer to as “ass kickers” – and that’s okay. We don’t reach our highest potential, or enjoy life’s true beauty without some effort and “STRETCH.”

I’ve been putting together my 2017 plan over the last few days (while dealing with this awful cold that some handsome college kid delivered to my door step). I will pray over this plan today and in the days to come, and what I know is that God will put me on many paths this year. I need to follow his guidance and not my own desire to take the route of least resistance… To put on my explorer hat and be ready, fully knowing that whatever the path looks like, He’s right there with me, along with some really great friends and family He has put along the trail!

I pray that you’ll join me throughout the year as we find out what’s ahead and together, and fully know that whatever it is, the year is promised to be “CROWNED with GOODNESS.”

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!)

A game plan for having more energy!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Who doesn’t need more energy? I know, I know, there are some of you who drink 10 cups of coffee a day and seem to be able to move through the day like a modern day superhero.

Some joke that I have an enormous amount of energy… As I age, I am thinking “what the heck is going on?” It’s true, I’ve always felt that most times, I have more than enough energy to conquer the days, but not so much now. This is a frequent conversation point among friends and colleagues that feel the same way. It also seems that regardless of age, it’s a concern… maybe our world has just gotten so fast-paced and the constant brain drain from our phone usage has caught up with us mere humans.

At any rate, this seemed a timely topic as WE NEED EXTRA ENERGY RIGHT NOW. So, here is a laundry list of energy-boosting tactics we find in every manner of magazine or talk show:

  • Waking up at the same time every day – after getting the 7-8 hours your body needs, of course…
  • Exercising… moving… grooving…
  • Taking multi-vitamins and eating the proper nutrients….

That easy, right? I’m going to throw out a few more specific thoughts, and then I’d love for this to be interactive and have you all chime in with one or two words or thoughts about your own tactics. It indeed takes a village, so learning from one another is ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. Here are some of mine:

  • TAKE A NAP… Yep, I’m a napper. I only do this on the weekends, and when time allows. I make every effort to make time for this. I have learned over time that giving your body this “extra” rest is rejuvenating for the soul!
  • H2O! I kick off the morning with a glass of warm water. I’m not sure where I learned this, but some speaker when I was in my 20s. It’s been a great add to my daily rituals. Give it a try. It’s hydrates you early on and seems to get the blood flowing.
  • GET OUTSIDE! I’m really grateful for my dog, because honestly she makes this SO MUCH EASIER. Getting outside a few times a day, whether heat or cold outside, is just a good thing to do… Tucking my phone away and breathing in the fresh air, looking up at the sky and watching nature evolve through the seasons, is life filling….

Okay… YOUR TURN! 

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Expectancy

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

What a terrific photo. I love the expectancy of children. As we grow older – and especially because I have the joy of watching my boys come of age – I am more and more aware of how we lose this feeling of excitement.

This season quickly consumes us with apps eagerly sharing the greatest new “deal,” dinners, shopping, movies, etc.  As cool as that can be, I long for deeper moments of connection and a true focus on the meaning behind this incredible season. (By the way, it may be slightly more than a longing… a bit more like a full-out sprint from the “mall,” so to speak, and into the welcoming refreshment of reveling in sheer HOPE. Hope for a world free of illness, sadness and brokenness in general.)

For Christians, the Advent season starts today, signaling the four-week countdown to celebrate the birth of the messiah, who brings us this hope. For others, the season is equally rich in meaning and I love that I am a part of a diverse community. Most of all, we all come together to unify around family and the best parts of the human spirit: giving, celebrating… enriching our world.

My great hope today is that we will all choose to make this year, 2016, the year we truly take this time and this season to become as expectant as children. To relish in what the season has to offer.

Dear God, provide us with your heart, and the joy and expectancy of a child.

Why we must be on the look out to STEAL GREAT IDEAS

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(Photo Creds: The Robinhood Foundation, NYC)

Just 2 years after I graduated from high school, successful business man Paul Tudor Jones founded the Robin Hood foundation in NYC with a goal to improve the lives of those who live in poverty.

For 28 years now, the organization has been at it in a unique way, combining investment principles and philanthropy to find, fund and create programs that support their goal. Over time they have expanded to also support relief efforts, such as those needed with Hurricane Sandy. According to last year’s estimates, giving to this foundation provides a 15:1 return on investment, which is significant and a place that donors can feel good about. The key statement in all of that to me, is that they CREATE…solutions, ideas, programs that move toward their mission.

I chose this topic today, because the idea of being innovative is always top of mind for me. One of my personal philosophies has always been to be “ON ALERT FOR GREAT IDEAS.” If you take time to look around – especially outside of your own industry, family or environment – you can count on being INSPIRED and even yes, STEAL THOSE IDEAS and CREATE YOUR OWN from that seed that was planted.

Our communities need all of the INNOVATION that we can create in order to solve the problems and issues of today. I encourage you to embrace this idea, keep your eyes and ears open and MAKE AN IMPACT. If you get some extra time, explore Robin Hood’s website, it’s a cool story.