To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Christian

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Bring what you have

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Seriously this photo is awesome! I love all of the fun holiday cards, so I’m going to use a few this week with my message. Thank you to Pinterest for their cool factor in capturing such fun in one site.

In addition to my pastor and church, I love to listen each week to Steven Furtick who happens to serve a church called Elevation in Charlotte, NC. His energy amazes and his message almost always hits me square between the eyes. A few weeks ago he focused on the concept that God didn’t really ask us for much, really only what we have to bring. He mentioned many of the great stories in the Bible. With the Christmas season upon us I can’t stop thinking that Mary and Joseph pretty much gave all they had, givng a life and their lives that would alter the world forever.

What is it that you have that you should “bring” this season?

CHEER for those that you simply need to celebrate, or even someone you don’t even know?HOPE for someone who is running short?
A WARM EMBRACE or a thoughtful card for someone who is facing this holiday without a loved one?
HONOR for our elders that have paved the way?

Let’s all bring what we have and together make this the best ever! It’s really up to us to make that decision – powerful, cool and a bit scary. I hope you all will challenge yourself to sacrifice your time and self to create a season of brilliance.

Hello December

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One more month! That’s 31 more days. What will you do? These are my ideas, in no particular order:

  1. Reach out
  2. Love!
  3. Pray for world peace
  4. Serve others!
  5. Build a gingerbread house! (And watch it slowly tip over…)
  6. Pray for healing
  7. Trust God for the best.
  8. Make a list!
  9. Check it twice!
  10. Start a new Tradition?  (For the sake of my friend, Susie, please not the Elf on the Shelf!
  11. Take part in preparing a special meal & break bread with those you love.
  12. Send a card or note to a long lost friend?
  13. Seek out discounts
  14. Embrace the chaos
  15. Embrace the quiet morning and late evening moments
  16. EXERCISE
  17. Be mindful of what is important
  18. Attend a Christmas service
  19. Make your home warm and bright
  20. See one of the great Christmas movies – Sure to be on the Oscar list soon.
  21. Call a relative or friend who may be struggling this season
  22. Sign up for the yoga class you’ve been wanting to take – Start it 1/1!
  23. Wrap up an important project!
  24. Celebrate when you achieve your goals!
  25. Shovel snow?
  26. Wrap a few gifts!
  27. GIVE!
  28. Put out the cookies for Santa, or light the candles for Hanukkah!
  29. Seek out a luminary walk to embrace the quiet winter night.
  30. Sing Christmas carols!
  31. CELEBRATE A LIFE WELL LIVED – A LIFE OF EXCELLENCE!  

Who makes you better?

blog_735919_2808385_1447605486A simple, yet powerful, thought: Who makes you better?

Who when you have coffee or a meal with them, leaves you better?

Who when you text or (God forbid actually dial their numbers…that’s me by the way: I really need to learn to love the phone again) makes you darn glad you did?

Who, when you stop by their desk at work, adds some swagger to your step?

This week, seek out those people. God put them in your life on purpose.

Birthdays are worth celebrating!

blog_735001_2807093_1447301272For those of you reading this thank you! I totally get it if folks skip over this one, because it’s personal. Personal as in the true joys of my life. That is inspiring if you ask me.

I started out my health care career in the OB/GYN field and for those of you that don’t know, those are the wonderful physicians that help us bring new life into our world. In that space, I learned quickly that birthdays are a big deal. Life is beyond precious and worth every candle, every bit of annoying confetti andevery good ol’ loud and obnoxious birthday song – cha cha cha!

So for today, I celebrate my boys’ birthday and share three wishes for them and for all of you:

  1. PURE JOY. As we climb the inevitable mountains of life, that we always remember to stop and soak up God’s beauty as it can be found in everything from the simplest dandelion that pops up in the spring to the most complicated of all, which is the beauty found in the complexity of our first breath and the intricate wiring of our human bodies.
  2. LOVE. “And the greatest of these is love.” To find love everywhere: In our families, love that sustained us as babies (and still today), childhood friends, teachers of all kinds that have been a part of our growth, the well wishes and smiles of strangers, the prayers of generations past, the first kiss and the loves of our lives. My great hope is that you will see these, recognize them, cherish them andlove fiercely.
  3. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. My belief of course is that we were all were put here in our generation, at this very moment in time to serve and to improve our world. Through our life work, our family, career and community, we have opportunities of need surrounding us. My wish is that we will reflect often on how we do this well and show our passion and act often.

Happy Birthday dear boys! Here’s to YOUR BEST YEAR YET!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: The best of you

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We all have our best, our own interpretation of happiness and success.

My encouragement today is that we need to be mindful of our personal joy and health so that we can be sure that we are giving those we love, those that need us, the best of us! 

What comes to mind when you think about being the best you? 

For me, it’s driving toward fulfilling God’s plan for my life, giving others the gifts he gave me to share and doing so in full health. (That’s a start at least…)

Have a crazy great week! It’s the boys’ birthday Thursday so I’m all about missing the two that are away and cherishing the moments with Joe while he’s here… CHEERING YOU ALL ON!  

Bold thinking

blog_732335_2801591_1446515295WE ARE CALLED TO BE BOLD.

We are called to make the most of our life. Our gifts. Our passions. To change the world we live in for the better. Being bold requires bold thinking. 

Bold thinking is different than our everyday thinking because it makes us anxious. It moves us out of our comfort zone and makes our heart race. Most of the time, when we begin to think boldly, we back away quickly due to these uncomfortable feelings.

I propose that we come up with a game plan to push through the adrenaline and into the realm of what is possible.

A “thinking” mindset is where we find inspiration. Getting this “flow” of thoughts generally needs to be intentional. We can literally go months and maybe years without getting into this mode if we don’t set up a plan.

blog_732335_2801592_1446515295Rock climbing/hiking is a great place to push yourself and get into that “thinking” mindset. Over the weekend I got to do a little hike through Red Rock Canyon, and although it was only a couple of hours, the very act of exerting myself a bit and getting out of my routine refreshed my mind and set me on a path to do some thinking.

Honestly, I need to be out there for a few days to get where I want and need to go mentally, but the point is it doesn’t take much to get you into this place where you can actually think. I mean really think. Almost everywhere you look there are beautiful parts of our cities, our homes, to help get us into this “thinking” mindset.

I have a friend that does a personal retreat about once every two months. It’s a Saturday morning at a local park, but I admire her a ton for this.  I need to take her lead and follow suit…

I don’t know about you, but I have so much I want to do to honor the people and places God has put in my path at home, work and in my community…To do that I want to be BOLD in my thinking so that I can act BIG! I hope you’ll join me! 

 

Simple Thoughts Sunday

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Bold in our thinking, our priorities, our actions, our intentions, our love, our prayers.

Just imagine what could be achieved if we all were to be as bold as possible? You know, we were truly called to be bold: To use the amazing gifts that God gave us, and to step in and be the hands and feet of Christ and serve others to improve our world.

What can you do this week to showcase boldness? Pray bigger and broader, then watch what happens.

Take on October with passion

blog_724556_2788721_1444097811Today’s blog is meant to shine a light on all of those who have battled, are battling or are part of team fighting breast cancer. 

I’m sure, or I hope, you know that all across America, October brings awareness to breast cancer!

I am going to highlight my friend Denise Henning, although I know she is simply one of the many ladies and families I know that have demonstrated great courage and, well, flat out passion while conquering this disease.

Denise in this case represents the true thinking behind the idea of “taking on October.” Taking it fully like you wouldn’t believe.

Denise had her first breast cancer diagnosis several years ago. It came, went, came back with a vengeance and repeat. It is difficult to understand the ‘whys’ of this, but one thing is for certain: her boys have a mom that is providing an amazing example of what it looks like to take on something with passion! Her passion = her boys.

Here are three ways Denise shows us how it’s done:

  1. Don’t take no for an answer! We have seen Denise take on a diagnosis that wasn’t favorable and get right down to the point where she couldn’t breathe, and yet, she continued strong and found another doctor who would offer a different approach, a different path, and an option that might give her the time she needed while researchers figured out how to conquer this disease. This take no prisoners attitude – being relentless even in great pain –  my friends, this is courage.

    What in your life do you need to ‘second guess’ that first answer or assessment?  Where can you be relentless in pursuit of something greater than yourself?

  2. Power through with great faith! I am sure when Denise was taken to church as a young girl, she couldn’t have dreamed of the challenges she’d face in her life. Thankfully in the process, she was given a seed of faith that is a full-blown, giant of faith today. Day after day, Denise exercises her faith muscle. She has given this fight to God, and yet as she is merely human like us all, she has a choice to make each day and she chooses to put on a smile, get dressed, get moving and show up. The truth is, she shows us all power by these daily choices to put her faith first and fight on!
  3. Focus on a cause greater than yourself! While many people have a hard time taking their minds off of their pain during these journeys, Denise is focused on saving lives through raising money for AEDS to be placed in Kansas City ballparks via the Tim Henning Memorial Foundation. Denise’s husband passed away three years ago of a heart attack while at ball practice with their boys. As you have seen, Denise is pretty darn special, through all of this she truly wants to leave a legacy for her boys that will outlive both her and Tim. I believe that a life worth living is one where we fully give back.

What can you focus on today that is greater than yourself? There are so many great things to do, from baking for an elderly neighbor or something much larger. I am confident we can all find a way to make a difference this month!

Take on October, my friends! And Denise, thank you for showing us how it’s done. We are forever grateful!

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Celebrations change our perspective

blog_722549_2785436_1443487062As promised, we are sticking with the theme of celebration. Why take the time? Here are some thoughts to get your mind focused:

  1. Celebrations allow us to call out the positive in life. God knows we have enough daily challenges or nuisances to drag us down,but only if we let them!
  2. Celebrations ensure we are focusing on others! This is a pretty simple known fact. Taking the focus off of ourselves is a key to happiness.
  3. Our lives are short and it’s a shame to simply let the days go by without cherishing the wins and those we care about! Enough said.

Here are some simple ideas of who to celebrate to get your thinking started…

  • That co-worker who cracks you up or simply brightens your days: You know who you are Coretta Paige and Darci Evans, really, could you be more genuinely kind? LOVE THAT!
  • Your college roommate that you haven’t seen in 20 years and you think of them weekly: Debbie Briggs, you were the best!
  • That teacher who you can’t believe puts in the hours and passion and makes our next generation have the opportunity to THRIVE: Rebekka Wampler, you are unbelievable.
  • Your best friend’s half birthday: Lisa, yours isn’t until December, but I celebrate you everyday!  What an honor to be your sister. 
  • A friend’s child that you have developed a bond with over the years: Connor Luchtefeld, I am coming at you this week to celebrate what a terrific young man you are becoming!

I hope this post gets you thinking. I am thankful for all of my readers and I toast to each of you! Have an awesome week!

I want to be the best

blog_716543_2773928_1441318920“I wanted to be the best, not the best female.”  Another great quote from the Women Who Mean Business luncheon last Friday.   Isn’t that great? Isn’t that how we should be thinking?  We want to be the best person God designed us to be, using OUR GIFTS, OUR CONTRIBUTIONS…

It’s so interesting to me, that no matter what your age, our society wants to compare and contrast against others. This happens in the school yard, the work place and even the nursing home.   My mom can tell you stories!

While there may be some merit in comparisons to some degree, the truth is, we all have unique passions and interests that drive us to achieve our personal best.

Today, I wanted to give my readers this simple thought.

How can I use my passions and talent to be MY BEST to serve others?