To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Gratitude

The weight of your attention

This quote –– a line in Ann Voskamp’s “One thousand gifts” video study this week –– captured me.

I’m away from my normal routine for a few days and the gravity of all things encompassing love, gratitude and importance are weighing on my thoughts. This message, so strong, seemed to be delivered for me personally. Like the sunset each night, we can only slow it down by giving it our full attention. What else in life requires this of me right now?

I can’t answer that in this moment but will be diving into the question. It’s a good one. Where is the “weight” or perhaps “energy” best spent? If I turn to God and the wisdom I have always found there… in what areas would I be directed? Is there an area of joy I need to cultivate?

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! Today I’m leaving you with Ann’s insight. It’s profound, I think. May we all bring our thanks and enter into the moments this season delivers with hearts and minds fully present to the moments. I believe if we do we will somehow be filling our souls with pure joy.

Rooted: Pursuing gratitude

November is an amazing month. It has so much to offer us that my heart might burst. I get this crazy smile thinking about the beauty of this life. The faces of those I love cross through my mind and I just can’t get over God’s goodness. I then skip to the open skies, ridiculously amazing sunsets, the Kansas farm fields, vast oceans and peaceful lakes. Those, of course, simply scratch the surface.

Sometimes I need to pinch myself to be sure I’m alive and this is real. We are literally surrounded by joy at every turn. Even a routine trip to the local Walgreens can confront us with warmth as we watch a mom and their child walking the candy aisle with excitement. That is, if we are paying attention. We need not go on a well-manicured and planned vacation to receive all of this outrageous glory. It’s right in front of us.

This November I’m committed to pursuing being ROOTED deeply in gratitude. I’m committed to all manner of attempts to truly embrace and offer my full thankfulness regardless of what the month brings.

Thank you for being a part of my story and my prayer is that each of you will let the love literally pour over your souls… let it seep into your every thought. Don’t let the days pass without feeling how incredible this life is and all that we have been given.

Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for all of you!

The history of Thanksgiving reminds us that taking time to celebrate the harvest is an important part of our country’s history. The idea that for generations we have maintained  integrity around “gathering” and offering thanks is powerful and necessary.

The first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, MA (1621) was a time for neighbors and family to gather with those who helped provide the bounty through hard work. Today, Thanksgiving provides us the same opportunity to carve out time to break bread, share our stories, and offer thanks.

No matter what you find yourself doing over this holiday, my prayer is that you will take the time to acknowledge those who have provided blessings to your life over the last year. I also hope that you take some time to breathe deeply and celebrate your own success (or survival, as may be the case) so far in 2019. This pause just might offer you what you need for the strongest finish to the year.

Cheers to all of you, your family, friends and loved ones. My goal every time I write is that it might impact at least one person.

It is an honor that you take the time to read these little insights and I am beyond grateful for the gift of your time.

Confetti & a dance party: We are called to celebrate

Simple Thoughts Sunday

We are so much better when we praise. When we call out the light in others. When we express gratitude and let our love pour out to others. Doing that is pure CELEBRATION of all that God has provided for us! What’s great is that this doesn’t just sound good but it’s actually God’s idea, as you can see in the scripture above.

  • Party hats
  • Hands raised
  • Confetti
  • Bringing out the good wine
  • An all out dance party

All is wildly important. Our world is crazy awesome despite what the world may try to tell you sometimes. The people who God has surrounded us all with are truly good and helpful. (Short a very small handful that I am convinced are here mostly to refine our ability to overcome even the craziest encounters we may face. And maybe to add humor!)

Celebration is a form of praise.

Praise is a form of gratitude!

Gratitude is acknowledgement that you recognize that life is a gift.

That gift is meant to be shared with others. Celebrate them early and often!

Thanking God for each of you right now! Have an incredible week.

A call to the people in your story

Who has been a key part of your story? Probably a lot of great influencers, and people who have walked alongside you at all ages. I don’t remember much from elementary school, but my immediate family stands out. There were a couple of friends I recall, though not so much their names, from middle school skate parties and endless sleepovers. High school and college have many stand outs, from dear friends, to teachers and even early bosses. My career has provided great leaders, and awful managers; those who have mentored me, and those I have mentored. My mind can also see what seems like hundreds of faces of people who have impacted me with their stories of bravery, courage and otherwise living out lives of excellence and humility on a day in and day out basis.

Here’s the idea today: We need to reflect. We need to take the time to look back and see how the right people have been placed right where we needed them – at just the right time. It is so cool how life seems designed to provide the hope we needed in a moment, the lesson that we perhaps didn’t know we needed, or the courage to rise to the occasion of something or for someone that really needed our support. Our journeys are so much better thanks to these people – many of them surrounding us right this moment. You know what is great? We have the opportunity to let them know about that impact.

As it’s still back-to-school season, I thought it was the perfect time for this little “assignment.” Who is in with me on calling out those people who have been key to your life, and reaching out with a big thank you? By Friday, let’s each identify at least 3 people, and go spread some gratitude and joy? I know it will make all of the difference. Have an awesome week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Be a torch bearer

Goodness… This quote hits all of my emotions.

As a gal with a ton of faith (or rather “wannabe faith”), I’d be all over the fact that God has showed up with all manner of light and fire or “torches” in my times of need. He (or She, if that’s your narrative), has come to me in my darkest hours to provide the exact amount of hope and light I needed to move forward one step at a time. It’s a promise in the Bible, and one of the best Psalms: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (119:105) SO TRUE. SO PROFOUND.

Here’s my belief: God provides that light most often through the light of another human who crosses our paths at the exact time we need their support, energy, humor, positive affirmation and inspiration. I can provide a list of those people in my life without hesitation. How about you?

On this Sunday, this day that we have the opportunity to reflect and focus on gratitude, my hope is that we are inspired to take some time to send a quick note to those “torch bearers” in our lives. Those that reflect God’s goodness and pave our paths with their light. I am forever indebted to these people that have most literally made my life as bright as it is today. Through their encouragement, they have helped me to shine my own light for others.

Have the most incredible week. Let’s make it so… starting with all of the gratitude we can extend!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Another in the fire

Want to build your confidence this week? Your bravado? Your courage? This truth is absolutely huge! Our church for the past several weeks has had an amazing song on their playlist – “Another in the Fire” (Hillsong United). It is incredible, namely because of the lyrics.

“There’s a grace when the heart is under fire…
Another way when the walls are closing in…
And when I look at the space between where I used to be and this reckoning…
I know I will never be alone.

There was another in the fire standing next to me…
There was another in the waters holding back the seas…”

In Daniel’s powerful story, the king who had thrown three in the fire was shocked to see that not only were there three walking around in the fire, but a fourth person appeared to be with them.

As a woman who believes firmly in God, this story prepares us for a life changing truth. No matter what is going on – the great celebrations and great tragedies – God is indeed with us. Sometimes it is just you and Him quietly praising or battling, and other times I believe He sends just the right person or people to serve that purpose and fill that need. I see it every single day, whether it be friends circling one another in prayer and encouragement, or ensuring someone is celebrated and honored. There are so many examples of this greatness around us.

You are never alone. We have each other… We have stories that help guide us back to truth when we have doubts, which we all experience. Have the best week my friends!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for each of you!

The history of Thanksgiving reminds us that taking time to celebrate the “harvest” is an important part of our country’s history. The idea that for generations we have maintained  integrity around “gathering” and offering thanks is powerful and necessary.

The first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, MA (1621) was a time for neighbors and family to “gather around the table” with those that had provided the bounty through hard work. Today, the Thanksgiving holiday provides us the same opportunity to carve out time to “break bread,” share our stories and offer thanks.

No matter what you find yourself doing over this holiday, my prayer is that you will take the time to acknowledge those that have provided blessings to your life over the last year. I also hope that you will be able to take some time to breathe deeply and celebrate your own success (or survival, as may be the case) so far in 2018. This pause just might offer you what you need for the strongest finish to the year.

Cheers to all of you, your family, friends and loved ones. My goal every time I write is that it might impact at least one person.

It is an honor that you take the time to read these little insights and I am beyond grateful for the gift of your time.

Freeing our minds to allow space for gratitude

I am all in on gratitude and the idea of wanting to feel it as much as possible. Sometimes I feel like this week each year we are supposed to “flip the proverbial switch” and get into a blissful attitude of deep thanks, as if it’s somehow automated.  With the hustle in most of our lives, this idea can seem a bit far reaching. The good news is that we can help ourselves out with a small dose of intention and action.

Did you know we cannot feel the full expression of gratitude available to us when our emotional and physical environments are filled with clutter? Yep, science backs up that “getting to gratitude” is challenged by the world around us. (By the way, that would be the world that we allow” around us, since we get to decide what we allow in our lives.)

So, as you move toward absolute gratitude, think about what you can eliminate… Whether it be the contents of the junk drawer or the high standards you have for yourself.  There are no doubt a number of items that can be stripped out in order to free up your energy, heart and mind.

Some other ideas…

Declutter relationships. Are yours serving you well?

Declutter the fears and anxieties that keep you up at night. Name them and claim them “gone” from your mind and, if necessary, make an appointment with a counselor to deal with those that you can’t seem to release on your own. (I have found that especially helpful.)

Declutter the frustrations of the past. Decide to allow forgiveness to yourself or others …and move on.

Declutter bad habits. The extra dessert, hitting snooze too many times, not keeping the commitment you made to yourself to exercise even on cold days and nights…

I know I have a few areas to focus on. I am looking forward to freeing up my schedule a bit so I can think and be mindful of what really matters to me… the people I love and who God placed in my life.

Unexpected Gifts, Part 2 – Taking count & giving thanks

So, the entire idea of “Unexpected Gifts” I mentioned Tuesday has me on a path to identify and take account of those that I have experienced this year. I hope you will find some value in the idea that no matter what a possible “shit show” you think your life can be in some seasons, there are quite literally gifts at every turn.  (okay, so that was a strong word, but the point is that in the midst of even the toughest times, crazy blessings show up if you are paying attention.)

I really don’t want to overuse examples of my life, but I think it may be useful as a thought starter for you all.

January-March: At that point I had a growing consultancy business. It was a time in my life where I felt God had me in a holding pattern. Although I was completely unclear about where I was headed, I was constantly sent not only encouraging people, but clients that needed my service. Most of these I had never met and all came at the perfect timing. (Also, I turned 50… I think that is a gift of some sort of new stage of wisdom, right? So far, it’s a lot of extra time on the treadmill to keep up. Haha)

April-June: Our family was faced with what many of my friends are facing right now… The impact of aging parents and a health crisis. My mother suffered multiple seizures and all of a sudden our world as we knew it stopped so that we could attend to the situation. So many unexpected gifts here, including a renewed focus on how precious these years are, to quality time with relatives that we don’t normally get to connect with as much. What a powerful reminder that my world is filled with dear friends from all parts of my life that stood ready in whatever way was needed, to a deeper realization of the vast needs in our health care system. Since health care is my career, this opened up my eyes to see the incredible opportunities for improvement we have to address from the patient side. (Also, without my consultant business, getting away for a lengthy time period would have added way more stress – another gift).

Also during this time, I was recruited to lead Partners in Primary Care (senior-focused primary care clinics) and Transcend MSO for the Kansas City Community. The picture is a small part of our team. These people quite simply blow me away with their commitment to our community’s seniors and really to one another. The clinics have only been in KC for a year in October and these people are family as if they’ve worked together for years. That is a far reaching gift that will impact their lives and all around them in their homes and those these serve.

July-September: God placed some pretty incredible new friends in my life this summer. I will absolutely never get over how we are given what we need at the perfect time. These people have gotten me out of the house, and have shined a new light on the incredible importance of a tribe.  I am certain I have not seen a group love each other so well.

So, those are a few thoughts. I have at least 10 more significant examples and I think you will too if you take the time to really audit these unexpected gifts.

Have the best weekend leading up to our week of thanks with family and friends.