To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

To Serve Well

The winding roads of life

Throwing it back to a post from last October that feels like a great mid-week check in. Cheering you on, friends.

God has interesting ways in which He guides us through life, to learn and to connect with great people and of course, to challenge us to be our best selves. To fully achieve our purpose.

Today, I want to share a few insights as we look toward the busy sprint that is the end of the year. I hope this is a reminder to you – as it was to me –to take in the beauty of this busy, sometimes winding, road that we call life.

  1. Beauty can be found everywhere. There is beauty even in life’s side roads that find you wondering why in the world you may have arrived there. Literally, if you set your mind to find the beauty (the good, the positive, the inspiring…) it is indeed there, and often front and center.
  2. God is leading and I am to follow. Those ideas about where, how and what we will be doing at any given stage of our lives are open to change at anytime. If you truly follow His lead, I believe He will use the right people and places and the right time and situations to bring you right where you are meant to be to achieve your highest purpose. Again it is up to us to choose to listen to those promptings.
  3. Finally, stay expectant. Sometimes change can be scary, but I choose not to look at it in that way. Choose instead to find clarity, and know that the right people are placed on the path at just the right time. If we step forward and reach out and do our best work, there will be honor found in the process.

So whether your path today is straight or winding, I hope you will find great beauty all around. Have the best week!

Processing sadness

I partially write this blog each week as therapy. I have been a writer since I can remember, and processing through writing seems to be my go-to. I wish I was one of those “journaling” types that documents their processing for either their own growth, or for future generations to learn from. I am not… it’s not indifferent from my prayer life… I lean into short thought circuits and find myself able to “bullet” out prayers & that is much more useful for my play-by-play processing.

I seem to be straying from my point in writing today’s blog, so I’ll try to get back onto the focus: processing sadness.

My mom is critically ill and under hospice care. I know many of you have walked this path or one similar to it, so perhaps this may resonate with you. The “Processing” part seems to be the challenge to me. I am told we are closing in on this journey, and yet I feel that the horizon is far enough away where I need to maintain hope and help advocate for her best care. I can see and feel the sadness just “over the horizon” and yet I don’t seem to have the ability to shed those tears or be ready in other words for what’s to come. In other words, perhaps I can’t release control over what no longer needs an advocate… I know it’s okay to go full on into the sad part of this, but my processing is clogged up, if you will.

Over the last several days I have prayed her favorite scripture over her… Psalm 23. She shared that it was also her mother’s favorite. The Lord is indeed our Shepherd. Always has been for this family. Always by our side and unrelenting in guidance no matter if we were interested, clearly listening or not at all.

Seasons change and we change, but God does not. It’s the most powerful truth in my life. I know that when I’m ready to process the tears, that the Good Shepherd will be there in that moment too.

If you ever find yourself not being able to process sadness, know that there is an army of people lifting you up and that once you are able to surrender, that God will be with you and that over the horizon there will be beautiful days and the love that remains always through the memories we hold.

Blocking mediocrity

Throwing it back to a message from 2019 that felt right for this week!

I hope I don’t offend some with this post, but I feel like it’s a needed message. More and more often it feels like people (of all ages) are okay with “mediocrity.” What does that even mean…?

Definition: “ordinariness, commonplaceness, lack of inspiration, indifference… A person of mediocre ability; nobody, lightweight, amateur…”

We are too surprised when we get “great” service at the post office, restaurants, or a routine call to a local utility or similar. When did this happen? Over time, the standards of excellence appear to have declined. At one time even I, with little supervision, couldn’t leave the house on a Friday without dusting every last knick-knack in the house. (If you are younger than me, ask me or someone older what a knick-knack means. Trust me, the generation above ours loved these, and if you don’t believe it’s a real thing, look it up – I had to. I thought it most certainly was not only vintage language but totally made up. (Sub-note: I vowed to never have knick-knacks at a very early age. I highly recommend we continue this ban.))

I love this idea that friends don’t let other friends be mediocre. Really, we all need someone – hopefully a band of people – who are willing and able to help us rise above commonplace. Being average, being “okay,” just getting along… that’s not what we want, is it? I firmly believe that 99% of all people want to fulfill their purpose, to serve well, to propel ourselves and others to new levels. I also know from experience that we need those friends to lift us up, give us a nudge, help us push past our own narrative and into new thresholds. These are coaches, friends, co-workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, neighbors, and yes, family. These are people like you and me! This takes courage… it takes the willingness to have meaningful dialogue that can take time and investment. These are the conversations that become the difference makers and game-changers.

Let’s all make a commitment this week to be that friend who cares enough to have that candid conversation. I’ve written about it before but let’s cater to each others success, not our egos. We need real friends who care and as a result, we all make this world so much better.

So thankful for each of you!

Whatever happens this season, bring your best self

This thought raises some questions…

  • Do I bring my BEST self to every conversation?
  • Do I bring my BEST self in my own thinking… my mind…?
  • Do I bring my BEST self to my work place in every moment?
  • Do I bring my BEST self in my financial decisions?
  • Do I bring my BEST self when caring for my community and neighbors?
  • Do I bring my BEST self in spiritual disciplines?
  • Do I bring my BEST self in my health choices?

Goodness, the questions are running rampant in my mind. I think first I need to define what in the world would I consider to be my “BEST” self in each of those categories. As I reflect, they seem to vary from question to question, and honestly from day to day or season to season.

What is my best self on one day varies the next.

I will never forget the lady that shared with me when I was a mom with toddlers, that perhaps focusing on community service at that time in my life wasn’t necessary, but that my best choice was to focus on my children and my career. I needed that permission, if you will, that I didn’t have to do it all… at once. I so wanted to, and clearly she could feel my stress in the conversation and she walked me straight to freedom with her words of wisdom. (I love it when God shows up exactly where you need…)

Seasons require different aspects of our gifts and energy. That alone is a powerful thought.

As we go into our week, my prayer is that we might ask God where and how we can bring our best self. I fully believe he will guide if we will be alert and listen. I believe we need to give deep thought and by that I mean spending time in prayer, silence, meditation, as we ask for wisdom as we fulfill our purposes here on earth.

As always, sending massive love your way.

Love the heck out of your people

No words are more important today than to love your people. Love them extravagantly. Don’t wait to share how you feel. Go big always when it comes to showing and sharing love. 

Everyone needs to feel it and share it.  Honor those who God has placed in your path.  

Today is the day. 

Some weeds are beautiful

Did you ever have an “a-ha!” experience, which seemed so obvious that you can’t believe it didn’t occur to you earlier? I was pulling some weeds over the weekend and was perplexed by a couple that I couldn’t figure out if they were truly weeds or an intentionally planted flower or bush of some sort. I stopped and added the title of this blog as a note to my phone.

The whole “weeding” process is important for a lot of reasons (I am far from any expert gardener, but some of them are so dang invasive that I can imagine them choking the life out of my nearby plants trying to thrive.)

My research on this whole weed thing got a little out of hand pretty quickly… lots of information… For example, did you know:

  • Weeds protect the soil? (Now, think of life’s weeds: Those troublesome situations we find ourselves in. I think there is a lesson here for us –– they protect us!)
  • Weeds may fertilize the soil? (Again, the challenges almost always make us stronger. Growth almost requires weeds.)
  • Weeds condition the soil? Specifically, “they provide channels for rain and air to penetrate.” (And the parallels to life’s journey continued on as I read … but I’ll stop here.)

I’ve always loved how Jesus teaches us in parables. He has a good one about the weeds. Seeds, too, but I will save that for another blog post.

For today, this thought about beautiful “weeds” really resonates. “Weeds are nature’s way of healing itself.” (Weeds- Guardians of the Soil, Cocannouer)

We need to pay attention to beauty. Even the type that comes disguised.

The strength of your inner circle

For today’s blog, I felt that this re-post was exactly what needed said. I have found that no matter what season I am in, my circle is what protects, pushes me forward, strengthens, and inspires joy.

The recent loss of Mr. Boseman offers us an opportunity to learn from his life. I hope it serves as a reminder that intentionally nurturing and building our circle should be at the top of our priority list. In fact, serving well can best be done in unity with those God has placed in our path. I am very thankful for my friends and family today!

Thank you to Michelle Wimes, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City and brilliant thought leader for reposting from Michelle Gines, Community Relations for Sunflower Health Plan –– also clearly a voice we need to listen to:

“How strong is your circle? How loyal are your confidants?

His wife, his family, his friends. His cast mates and the director. His Howard University Alumni family. His barber. His stylist. His agent. His manager. His doctors. His nurses. His pharmacist. His accountant. His banker. His pastor. His church. Hollywood. Marvel.

Chadwick’s entire circle respected his private battle with colon cancer and kept it from the public.

THE LAST LESSON THE KING OF WAKANDA LEFT:

Choose your associations wisely. Surround yourself with good company. Build a strong support system that is loyal and faithful and true. A circle that loves you.”

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Time to exhale

How are you making this Labor Day weekend count? I like to think that this holiday isn’t just about taking a break, but rather about emotionally exhaling.

This weekend used to wind down the summer before school started. Alas, that isn’t the case anymore. August’s onslaught of obligations, activities, etc. are in full force for most of us. But wait, didn’t summer just start? So obviously, Labor Day weekend is a really good time to take a breather.

“Emotionally exhaling” doesn’t take much. (That’s sort of the point.)

Reading, life planning, sharing a meal or two with friends or family, a visit to the farmer’s market, and  a chance to take in the last days of poolside bliss. Those work for me, but for others it’s about rock climbing, marathons and shopping extravaganzas. Reflect on what this weekend should look like for you based on the season of your life. Be a little selfish – you deserve it.

There is a great book that came out a few years ago called “The Best Yes” by Lysa Terkeurst. It calls out to us to make the best decision for ourselves at that given moment and season. So, what does your soul need this weekend? There is still time to make it happen.

Whatever you do with the rest of your long weekend, I hope that you will emotionally exhale.

(Rewind! This is a throwback post that felt really, really relevant to this particular Labor Day!)

Hello September: Setting ourselves up for a meaningful and fun wrap to 2020

I have a weekly email to our team at work where I share some fun ideas or things I’ve seen over the week that could offer inspiration or hope. For many, September is like the “other” January, locking into the back to school mindset, and contemplating what you want to accomplish to pull off a truly meaningful year. With so much being different this year, this seems of the highest importance… to truly not let it “go by.” After all, we are only given so many years, and even though one has tried to cancel many of our plans, we can get creative and still ensure we are better at the end of it!

One of the best ideas I saw last week was was putting together a bucket list for the rest of 2020. Something that would be easy, but yet make it perhaps a bit exciting. My mom and I were texting the other night about how nice it would be to actually be able to go visit her Aunt Clara still this year. I loved that and thought it was a good one to add to the list.

Where does your mind go when thinking about what you want to do yet this year? A fall camping trip? A COVID-19-friendly visit to relatives or friends who are a road trip away? A financial goal? How about a wellness goal? Take your first yoga class, or at least try some of the great ones on YouTube? Add deep breathing exercises to your regimen, or create your own 5K walk or run with some friends? How about spiritual goals? How about seeking out a spiritual mentor in a person or some great authors that helps you learn and grow? Family goals? Create a family mission statement? Decide on a place to serve and do it together monthly for the last part of the year?

Where can you dream a bit and what are you willing to commit to? Make it easy, fun and impactful. Please share your ideas! Have an amazing wrap to your week and long weekend ahead, if that is in the cards for you.

As always, cheering your journey on and praying that you will find yourself feeling energized and hopeful if you decide to spend some time with this idea!

Faith, in action: A powerful reminder that will strengthen us all

Here’s what happened this week. Profound.

I have been fighting for a bit over a week now with vertigo (dizziness) due to a chronic inner ear issue I have that flares up a few times a year. This time, it was much worse. I have fought my whole life with the need to be “in control,” so this inability to function normally absolutely drives me crazy! (Laughable, I know, because we all know how little of that we have. Yet… I persist.)

Life is unpredictable. God often grabs my attention (and this time perhaps pinned me down…) by reminding me that the plans that have been laid out for my life far exceed what I could dream up, initiate or “control.” I’m thankful for this, but for some reason my nature is to hold on tight. All that said, I wasn’t doing too well with this episode of feeling like I was pushed off of the road, so to speak.

I was focused on work on Tuesday afternoon when an intense episode came upon me. It took me aback and I sat there contemplating what to do next (as in, am I even able to get up, walk, and go tell someone?). In comes one of our team members. I happen to know this person is a fierce person of faith so I shared my situation. They moved on for their break and on their way out the door said something like, “I’m happy to pray for you.” That alone was comforting. But wait…

A few minutes later, they came back in and shared that their family was really working on “faith in action” and asked if I minded if they prayed over me quickly. I was more than happy to receive that covering. The whole thing undid me, and I found myself shaken not only by the dizzy spell, but overwhelmed by the fact that another person would take a few minutes to pray a genuinely beautiful and thoughtful prayer over me. I was moved to tears. I remember feeling strong enough to drive the 30 minutes home –– at least in that moment.

The experience was profound. The prayer, yes, but also the story… WOW. How often have I said “I’m praying for you” to someone? How many times did I have the chance to in that very moment either reach out for their hand or otherwise pray with them right at that time or even pick up the phone? You can guess the answer to that.

Faith, in action. This is a simple, yet incredibly powerful way to move to healing…. to love. I’m not sure where this teammate of mine is receiving their wisdom or guidance, but I want more of wherever that came from. If they happen to read this, I hope they know it was life-changing for me and perhaps will be for you as well. Their courage made all of the difference.

I hope this serves you all today and sincerely pray that it will strengthen you as you go into the new month afresh this week!