To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

And Here’s What Went Down.

blog_709281_2762514_1439151037Happy Sunday everyone!  This one will be short, as it is our families “MOVE IN” WEEKEND for the first son to go off to COLLEGE…  A lot of emotional and physical energy invested…I’m sure in some way, shape or form each of you reading this understand that feeling!

Here are some random thoughts to wrap up the week!  The theme this week for the blog has been “What if we were having this much fun?” In no particular order this is what I’m thinking right now.

  1. I should have given some thought to that theme this week. Seriously, sending your child off to college is not particularly fun and as much as I want to “drum” up some enthusiasm, it’s simply not happening folks.  Ever been there?
  2. Okay, having said that, the overall move couldn’t have been easier. Lots of young men eager to help and Tucker even let me make his bed (my mom heart liked that a lot) I love it when a community comes together and that is what happened.
  3. On that note, there were a host of other anxious parents, and some dedicated university staff that are committed to ensuring the success of our students.  I want to point that out.  What a tremendous blessing it is that we have educators that have literally put their entire life on task for this purpose.  THANK GOD FOR THESE BRAVE SOULS!  We are all in this together is the bottom line….
  4. FINALLY, HE WILL DEFINITELY EXPERIENCE THIS WEEK’S THEME… OVER AND OVER AGAIN … COLLEGE is made for FUN!  For today, remember those moments when you were young, and try to REINVENT them this week. My favorite was the annual Lamda Chi WATERMELON FEST… Wonder if there is an “adult” version of that I could drum up?

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK EVERYONE!  For those sending their kids off to school, take a DEEP BREATH and WALK RIGHT INTO IT!  MAKE A DECISION TO RELISH IN THE JOY OF THIS NEW STAGE, be it Kindergarten, Middle School, Senior Year or the one and only first day of COLLEGE! 

The Capabilities of Wonder Woman

What blog_682074_2730034_1435426377are your greatest capabilities?  What DOES that even mean?  What do you bring to the table? Do you you know what your personal value proposition is?

I know my number one – Culture Building.  Yours may be financial genius or being an operational master, or even being the Wonder Woman of customer service.  Whatever it is, how can you use your God given capability to improve our world?
What one idea can you start today that would point in the direction of maximizing that skill?

For me, I need to reach out to others today and offer encouragement so that our project can gain some ground and those involved will continue to engage well.  

Live Life to Fullest and then some.

I know, I know, I have talked about graduation once, and this blog is not REALLY about graduation, but since I have three graduates, I guess I may include the thought one more time just to be even… Thanks for obliging me! 🙂

Graduation is such a great time.  It feels like a New Year, a new opportunity to relaunch, to go after the next adventure –  Graduation is FUN and EXCITING and possibly scary!

I have the great privilege of being the mom to three boys that bring so much joy to me that I can’t even believe how good God is!  The funny thing about graduation are the comments that folks make… mostly some version of the comment, “it goes so fast.” –  but I have a different view.

One of my life goals is to always be intentional about whatever I’m doing – The role of parent, makes this even more important.  The future of our country and families rely on it!

Our family attends an amazing camp in Texas called Pine Cove.  I highly recommend your family attends or even your student if you have kids under age 18 – It is simply life changing. Pine Cove was responsible for me becoming super aware of how important it was to sit down and really focus on character development of my own boys. It showed me how I want my family life to truly be – It led me asking, “What story did I want for my boys?”

For me, it was to be men of excellence. Men who were obedient to God and lived out their life’s great adventure in a meaningful way.  In order to achieve this things had to happen, Travel to experience the world, build a spirit of community, and embrace diversity and the power in that – This takes a concentrated effort to build the plan – Much like we do in business.

So, each of the last 13 years (The first 5 were a blur…) that was the goal for my boys and I – To engage FULLY in what life had to offer and work toward the goals. It didn’t go fast – Each year was FULL, AMAZING, and an ADVENTURE.  The good with the bad helps us grow and learn. It has been AWESOME and I can’t wait for the next chapter.

One thing I do know, it take us being intentional, and knowing that GOD WILL SHOW UP.  

Sparklers, Picnics, & Independence! GO USA!

blog_695010_2746730_1435632600

I LOVE THIS WEEK!  Today starts the long weekend for many and I hope everyone loves this opportunity as much as I do… that we get to celebrate our nation’s Independence.

A little background for those of you who, like me, didn’t listen well in history 101… In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress… declaring Independence from Great Britain.

Here’s also an excerpt from Wikipedia I thought was especially cool and worth sharing…

John Adams one of the 5 “drafters” wrote this to his wife the night before the signing:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It out to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, for this time forward forever more.”

Seriously, how cool is that- At 47 I have never read that- So, thanks John Adams and Wikipedia!  I absolutely loved reading this- Here’s why:

  1. He claimed it a FESTIVAL!  Who doesn’t love a grand celebration. Celebrations UNIFY us with others around a common cause and give us great JOY.
  2. He includes God = Our country was  based on strong guiding principles and this is so needed today.
  3. He defined the FESTIVAL activities- I especially love bonfires and ILLUMINATIONS!

As you and your friends and family CELEBRATE AMERICA this week, I am praying BOLDLY that as a country we will get out the SPARKLERS and ILLUMINATE OUR SKIES, have some crazy good BBQ-be it an amazing burger or some KC STYLE RIBS, and TOGETHER UNIFY AROUND AMERICA and GIVE GLORY TO GOD for our GREAT COUNTRY!

Interrupted – Having or Getting Perspective

blog_682064_2730031_1435426442Perspective. Everyone should go out and “get it” if they don’t have “it”.  I was not exposed to anything like this until recently.  If you are young and have the opportunity, expose yourself to the world early in life.  It will make the biggest difference in your perspective.

You don’t have to go on a glamorous safari or a Disney tour to get a perspective – Get involved in your neighborhood, see the way others live, work alongside them, understand their education system, their healthcare, and their hearts.  It’s never too late to get a perspective. Do it now.  It will change you.
blog_682064_2730032_1435426443I assure you that you will be blessed and that your life will be interrupted. My hope is that you will be as seriously interrupted as I have been and downright troubled at times.  I hope that you will be forced to truly consider how your life is meant to support others and that you are challenged with what God’s plan is for your life. My hope is that you will take action.  

The Brilliant Minds of an Artist, a Corporate Leader turned Entrepreneur, and a Millennial.

I love hearing the stories of everyday people.  Today I would like to highlight a few remarkable folks that remind me of why it is so valuable in life to savor the moments.  These moments are easy to gloss over, but if we listen, we will improve our lives and add true joy.

An Artist – Phil Epp www.philepp.com
This guy is seriously cool.  A homegrown Kansas boy from Newton Kansas who started to paint on his farm as a creative outlet.  He is down to earth as you might expect, and when you pull into his long winding driveway, you realize he’s truly “everybody’s favorite uncle.”

Although some of his contemporary work is hauntingly cool, Phil’s paintings primarily depict a version of the breathtaking Kansas sky and serene farmland shots. Two favorites of mine include an old fashioned train box car and a large gathering tent under a falling night sky. They both illicit thoughts that stray in many directions.

I love people like Phil. He is kind, gentle and his contribution to society is downright remarkable.  His kindred spirit demonstrates that he truly cares deeply about his work. If you are in Kansas City, I recommend you take in his work is at the Overland Park Convention Center and the Leopold Gallery in Brookside.

A Corporate Guy turned Entrepreneur – Mike Miller – www.beforte.com
Mike is a brilliant mind, a solid Christian, an amazing family man and husband, and a great contributor to the community.

Mike and I met this morning so that I could extract some of his BRILLIANT “mind” and learn.  Have you ever left a meeting feeling energized and refreshed?  You wonder why did that happen when so many times you just feel drained.

Mike left a corporate career and has transitioned into an entrepreneur who is using the gifts God gave him to “spread his brilliance.”  Honestly, Mike doesn’t care about his brilliance, he cares deeply about youspreading YOUR BRILLIANCE.  That my friend is his gift and why I left ENERGIZED.  We need more Mikes.

A Millennial – Jacob Wayman – www.jacobwayman.com
I love Millennials, especially Jacob.  I hired Jacob as an intern for FREE when I was the CEO of Kansas City Internal Medicine.  Jacob gets it now and he definitely got it then (when he accepted a job that paid zero in cash, but led to an endless supply of guidance and inspiration.)

Often in life you have to put in “sweat equity”- which means you have to put in the time, the energy, and sometimes the tears to learn and learn well. Those periods in our lives prepare us for WORK THAT IS MEANINGFUL and fulfilling.

The time spent investing our minds and hours into learning is time well spent.  The younger generation that “gets this” will be the ones who RISE TO THE TOP. I am confident Jacob will. You should follow him onLinkedIn!

Linchpin – a blog book review

blog_682050_2730026_1432573688ARE YOU INDISPENSABLE?
Seth Godin, starts with this as a subtitle. PERFECT PLAY SETH!  I will often do these book reviews because I like to read.    When I read I check mark, underline, and dog-ear the corners of really great concepts… I figured, why not share a bit of this with my readers.  After all, more of my friends would not look at me strangely when I ask them if they would read a book if I gave them one…

So here you go, ENJOY and if you like what you read, go out to Amazon or your local book store and grabthis read –  it is truly a gem.

Random thoughts/extracts/comments and in no particular order:

  1. “You are a Genius” – Seth started with this, I like to think God created us all to be a genius at something!
  2. “I couldn’t have written this book ten years ago, our economy wanted you to fit it, it paid you well to fit in, and it took care of you if you fit in.  Now, like it or not, the world wants something different from you.”  How true is this… we all have to be shaken out of a routine and into new ways of thinking and delivering results to stand out.
  3.  “Stop asking what’s in it for you and start giving gifts that change people.  Then and only then, will you have achieved your potential.”
  4.  “Becoming a LINCHPIN is a stepwise process, a path in which you develop the attributes that make you INDESPINSABLE.”  “Linchpins are the essential building blocks of tomorrow’s high value organizations.”   I like that thought! In my home life, community and workplace!
  5. “We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care.”
  6. “Indispensable businesses race to the top instead.”   On Trader Joe’s…. But Trader Joe’s keeps growing, because the combination of engaged employees, cutting-edge products, and fun brings people back.”
  7. “The web has made kicking ass easier to achieve, and mediocrity harder to sustain. Mediocrity now howls in protest.”    Mediocrity to me is annoying.  Why do it!
  8. “Create something worth talking about.”
  9. “You can see the marketplace as being limited, a zero-sum game”…. Or you can see it as unlimited.  A place where talent creates growth and market increases in space.
  10. “The new American Dream…the one that markets around the world are embracing as fast as they can, is this: Be remarkable, Be Generous, Create Art, Make Judgement calls, CONNECT people and ideas.”
  11. “The competitive advantage the marketplace demands is someone more human, connected and mature.”
  12. “In the space of two generations, we created a consumer culture. There wasn’t one, and then there was…”
  13. “The distinction between cogs and LINCHPINS is largely one of ATTITUDE, not learning.”
  14. What they should teach in school:  “Only two things:
    1.)   Solve interesting problems.  2.)  Lead.”
  15. “An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity and boldness to challenge the status quo.”
  16. “The combination of passion and art is what makes someone a LINCHPIN.”
  17. “The ultimate gift you can give, the one that will repay you today and tomorrow and heal our world, is that gift.  The gift of CONNECTION, of ART OF LOVE OF DIGNITY.”
  18. “Real artists ship” is the entire focus of the chapter titled RESISTANCE- This chapter is awesome- It is all about getting something done and out the door…i.e. SHIPPING.    This chapter is worth the entire book-
  19. “The LINCHPIN is able to invent a future, fall in love with it, live in it, and then abandon it on a moment’s notice.”
  20. The SEVEN ABILITIES OF A LINCHPIN:
    1) Providing a unique interface between members of an org.
    2) Delivering UNIQUE creativity
    3) Managing a situation or organization of great complexity
    4) Leading customers
    5) Inspiring Staff
    6) Providing deep domain knowledge
    7) Possessing a unique talent

Importance of Community … The Best 2 Minute Sermon

Although it was a severely painful situation.  In the wake of my good friend’s tragic loss/murder of her son and father, at the high school vigil, I heard the best sermon ever- and it was only 2 minutes long.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader spoke out of Isiah. While he did share about the parting of the waters at the Red Sea, there was another instance in the scripture that was equally as important.  God asked that if He were to part the waters that He needed them to take the first step.  

In his short portrayal of the story, this young and amazing man, asked the audience to lock arms with this family and step into healing together as a community.  All I can say is, “WOW!”
We need each other on this journey and it is easier to take the first step if you have a community to join you in both pleasure and pain.  

18 FULL YEARS! Congratulations to my young men.

blog_681667_2730025_1432595379I’m not sure why, but the cliché comment, “it goes by so fast” hasn’t really made its way into my realm  Perhaps it’s because I’m the mom of triplets, or perhaps it’s because we did things differently.  (For the record, I don’t think we did). Perhaps this comment is best reserved for those wiser, older folks who have seen their more recent years go more quickly.  For this post, I have to tell you, my boys and I have had 18 FULL years and I have truly loved pretty much all of it!

We packed each day, month and ultimately the years full of LIFE.  As the mom, single in this case, I have had the opportunity to be the coordinator, the team captain, the drum major… the one who tries to make it all happen.

Some days we do make it “all” happen, some we don’t, but with God’s help (okay he’s really the captain, but I’ll gladly own co-captain), and a village of terrific friends and mentors found in neighborhoods, work, school, soccer fields, books and church camps we have made it….  Made it to the finish line of high school graduation.

Here is what I know, it is an INTENTIONAL affair, to round up three excellent young men and engage them in a full life.   I intentionally spend time on living LIFE, including travel, education and lots of meals and conversations and community engagement.

My prayer is that these boys and their friends (and parents) who have touched my heart in deep ways will go out and INTENTIONALLY live a FULL LIFE in phase 2- “The college years.” My hope is that they will not let a day go by where they are not striving towards God’s plan for their lives of finding their passion. And as their commencement speaker, Mr. Addington said it best, “Find their need!”

Congratulations boys, this mom is well pleased and so in love with your stories and the men you are becoming.

A Big Hello!

If I were meeting you right now, I’d likely give you a big hug…unless you are one of those “I am not the hugging type”, then a friendly hand shake or even a smile is coming your way.  Hopefully I will have the opportunity to meet you face to face and spend time chatting it up and hearing your story.

STORIES, IDEAS, and CONVERSATION are what this blog hopes to deliver! STORIES that are simply about the fun and unexpected people we meet — things and events that make up our days — stories of lives well lived — books that intrigue us, music that moves us, and art that speak to us.  IDEAS about EXCELLENCE that ultimately starts the CONVERSATION. A conversation that CAPTURES our attention, CHALLENGES our thinking, and CHANGES our world.

I am working on my first book, “To Serve Well,” and this blog will be more or less the launch of this adventure.  My hope is to craft insights that will leave you a better person.  Isn’t that what most of us want?  To be better each day?  To use the gifts that God gave us and to shine a light in this world.

So, what can you expect from my blog? (And hopefully choose to subscribe) I want these blog entries to be brief because our attention spans are quickly deteriorating due to the advent social media.  In fact, according to statisticsbrain.com, the average attention span in 2013 was 8 seconds compared to 12 seconds in 2000. Even a goldfish has an attention span of 9 seconds so there’s a chance the statistic means absolutely nothing.

If you have never read one of Seth Godin’s blogs, (sethgodin.typepad.com), I recommend you check him out.  He does a great job of being brief and impactful.  That’s my goal.  HOWEVER, that amazing man does this daily.

I do all things in 3’s so you can expect a post 3 times a week. Seth talks about cultural topics and I will be primarily talking about excellence. I will also be weaving in Christian thinking and hope that you will be one of those free thinking individuals that can apply it to whatever religion you choose.  I’m not sure I have ever met anyone that doesn’t desire EXCELLENCE. After all, it’s all about being the best “US” we can be.  So here we go… Can’t wait to hear from you!