Susan Call's Blog, page 13

3 Things That Kill Potential

Have you ever heard of Christmas in July? What about New Year’s in May? I’m guessing you’ve heard of the first, but not the latter. I may or may not have just invented that one. Working on a college campus, this time of year is all about promise, potential, and embracing the possibilities for the future – making it feel a bit like the excitement at New Year’s.

The refrains of Pomp and Circumstance bring tears to eyes as spirits leap and the promise of bright futures are considered. But, you don’t have to be a new graduate to look ahead with optimism and anticipation. As long as you have breath in your lungs, there’s a purpose in your spirit! Why not be inspired by the excitement in the air? On your journey to a brighter future, watch out for these three things that can kill your potential:

A limited definition of success – Be willing to adapt your definition of success based on your chapter in life. Sometimes success is obvious. It’s winning a championship or getting your dream job or promotion. Other times, success is far more subtle. When life is challenging, we need to be free to modify our definition. To a new mom, success could be showering and getting dressed before noon. To someone overwhelmed by their finances success might be opening all of their mail and making a plan on how they will pay their bills. Limiting your definition of success robs you of recognizing key victories that motivate you and propel you to life’s big wins.
The wrong playlist – What are you playing on repeat? The messages you tell yourself will carry more weight than the other voices in your life. Sometimes the messages we tell ourselves are negative words we’ve heard from critical people – a parent, a teacher, a coach, or a peer. In high school I had an English teacher that told me I couldn’t write. If I had listened to her, I wouldn’t be a published author or a speaker. The impact I have had would have been silenced. In life we all meet people who fail to see our potential. Do not be robbed of your vision because someone else lacked the ability to see your worth. Do not let their words live on as an internal whisper that holds you back. Instead, go prove them wrong!
A fear of feedback – Try, learn, grow, and repeat. When we actively seek constructive feedback, we grow. When we ignore the feedback loop, we’re doomed to repeat the next chapter “as-is” without the opportunity to grow and do it better. As an example, one of the hardest things for a new public speaker to do is to record a presentation and watch it back. It can cause the most ambitious novice to recoil. But, it shouldn’t. When we try something new and seek honest, truly honest constructive feedback, we can become better versions of ourselves. Embrace the question “What’s one thing I could do to improve this next time?” Ask it of those you trust and admire, and ask it of yourself. The result will be personal growth.

If you celebrate commencement with friends or family this year, take time to ponder your own journey. What possibilities are you ready to pursue? Use this time of the year as a reset and regain the momentum of New Year’s. Embrace your potential. Try, learn, grow, and repeat! The future looks promising!

If you’ve been encouraged by this post, please share it with your friends. I welcome your feedback, so why not join the conversation. Let me know which one or more of these you might employ to help you reach your potential, or do you have one you can share with me? I’d love to hear from you.

It was only one word.

It was a one word gut punch I never saw coming. The fog it caused along with the momentum it stole caught me off guard. It was only one word. How could it have been so jarring? And, the kicker…it wasn’t even spoken to me! To top it off, the person who launched the four syllable attack didn’t even know I was caught in their cross fire. They still don’t. Yet, the impact of their opinion still stung.

What happen? Someone who I respect, someone whose work has helped me grow, someone whose effort I appreciate was told they were “unqualified.”  It really rocked my world. The person has an advanced degree in their area of influence, they have studied and worked on their craft, they have taught thousands but still were labeled “unqualified.”

The word penetrated deep into my soul and left me questioning how much more unqualified am I? It was an impactful personal reminder of a lesson I’ve learned, we’ve all learned before.

Words have power.

Words have tremendous power.

Once I realized the source of my derailment, I was able to do something about it. I began to get back on track and rebuild my momentum. The experience has been a bit like putting on a new prescription of glasses allowing me to see a few things around me more clearly. This new vision it’s given me has been equally jarring.

I haven’t had to look far to see words being used as weapons. On Facebook, a friend preparing for a speaking engagement was challenged by a colleague with the same cutting word I had just heard “unqualified.” Her friends flooded her page with support and uplifting comments in response. But, one post stood out from all of the others. It was a snarky judgmental reply, condemning the entire state where the woman was speaking. The sharp words stung with bitterness, completely lacking any compassion what so ever. I was left to wonder why? Why post a comment that casts a wide net of hurt?

Perhaps because it has become easy, too easy. Social media allows us to type our raw, unfiltered, unedited thoughts and hurl them out at the masses. But we have a choice. We can choose to build up and encourage as so many of my friends comments reflected. Or we can tear down and destroy.

Our words can fall on people like an uncovered sneeze on a crowded subway train, or like candy cast from a float at a holiday parade. The choice is ours.

If we choose the sneeze method of communication:

People will want to brush off our words in disgust.
We will sow destructive seeds of negativity.
The fruit we will produce is doubt, discouragement, anxiety, anger, discord, disharmony, and discontentment.
We will repel people.
We talk at people, not with people.
Negativity can destroy people.
The damage can linger for years.

If we choose the candy method of communication:

People will hold on to our words and consider our opinion.
We will sow seeds of growth. (iron sharpens iron)
The fruit we produce will be love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control. (the fruits of the spirit Gal 5:22-23)
We will draw in people.
Encouragement helps people grow.
The benefit can linger for years.

Both our encouraging words and our destructive words impact more than the intended recipient. The ripples travel out from the point of impact, what kind of ripples depends upon our choice of words.

Words have power. Choose wisely.

I’d love to hear from you! Please comment and join the conversation. And, if you’ve been blessed by this, please share it with your friends.

What Baseball Taught Me About Life

Living in the north, nothing says it’s spring more than the welcome lack of snow in my yard and of course the start of little league baseball. Seeing all the recent Facebook posts of little league parades and munchkins in their uniforms brings back heart-warming memories of cheering my own son and daughter when they were younger.

Whether you love it or don’t care for it, the game of baseball can teach us a few things about life:

It’s more fun when you participate. If you’ve ever played baseball, and ever watched a game on TV, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s more fun to play than to watch. Life is a participation sport. Don’t get stuck watching others living life to the fullest via your social media feed. Get in the game of life!


Sacrifices are an important part of the game. In baseball, a sacrifice advances someone else at your expense. If you’re a parent, you know what it’s like to spend a sleepless night caring for a sick child, or giving of yourself so that they have what they need. Sacrifices to support those we care about are an important part of life because it helps others know they are loved.


Backup those around you. Ever notice what happens when a fly ball goes towards one outfielder in baseball? The next nearest outfielder runs to be a backup. In life, when those around you are extending themselves, be encouraging, be supportive, and be present. You never know when they may need reassurance of your support.


Bad seasons end. Bad seasons may feel like they last forever, but they don’t. We can be encouraged in life knowing that if we’re going through a rough patch, even the worst seasons come to an end. Teams that go through decades of drought win championships. Our seasons are the same. We will have our share of great seasons to celebrate! 


Sometimes it doesn’t seem fair. Whether it’s a questionable call at the plate or an amazing fly ball that gets snagged on its way over the fence, sometimes it doesn’t seem fair. In life, we won’t always like how the shots are called and won’t be thrilled when our best doesn’t seem good enough, but, if we can rest easy knowing that if we dust ourselves off, we can continue. Be proud when you give your best, no matter the outcome. The game goes on. Life goes on.


You don’t know when it will be over. Unlike other sports, there’s no clock in baseball. Still, you know it will eventually end. Life is the same. We need to enjoy the journey and make the most of it because we never know when it will end.

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather and maybe even a game of baseball or two. If you do get a chance to play or watch, I hope you’re reminded of these great takeaways and apply them to your life.

Which lesson from baseball hits home with you, one of these or one of your own? I’d love to hear from you! Comment to join the conversation.

And, if this encouraged you, why not share it on your social media? Maybe your friends would enjoy it too.

The Big Secret a Stranger Shared. You’ve Got to Hear This!

“What if no one believes you?” She asked. I could tell she was nervous by her expression as she approached me after a speaking engagement on a college campus. She paused before continuing on. She could no longer keep her secret silent. My story resonated with her. In fact it was as though I had held a mirror up, and she saw her own situation with a new perspective. He was a star athlete, Mr. Popular on her campus. People regularly told her how lucky she was to be his girlfriend. But they didn’t know. They didn’t hear her confessions to me at the front of an auditorium following a talk on abusive relationships. They didn’t know her internal struggle – that she couldn’t reconcile her love for him and her fear of him.

“I believe you.” I told her.

A look of relief instantly washed over her face. There in that moment, she took her first step towards freedom.

She had no bruises, but the abuse she was dealing with was still very real. The reality is controlling, manipulative, emotional or physically abusive relationships have far more warning signs than bruises. The longer someone is in a toxic relationship, the more they doubt the dangers and question their own strength, making recognizing the signs critical. If you or someone you know recognize the characteristics in this list, it’s time to get help and get out.

(This list can be true for both men and women. For the ease of writing, I’ve written “he.” All of these statements can equally apply to a “she.”)

Warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored:

Your relationship gets serious fast. He comes on strong soon after starting to date. He wants to spend excessive time together claiming he’s never felt like this before.

Your world gets smaller, not bigger. He prevents you from spending time with friends and family.  In a healthy relationship, your world should grow, not shrink.

He makes you feel guilty for time with friends or online. Your patterns change to keep him happy. You spend less time with friends or on social media so that he’s happier.

He’s controlling. He wants to know who you spend time with, where you go, or who you‘re with. He wants your passwords or monitors your social media or checks your cell phone.

He’s hypersensitive. He is easily insulted and may question your loyalty or level of respect.

It’s all your fault. If he has a bad day, encounters problems, or is unhappy, it’s because of something you did. If he’s angry, he says it’s only because of what you did or didn’t do. He plays the victim and makes you feel guilty.

Your friends and family wonder where you went. People close to you comment that they never see you any more or notice the sharp change in the amount of time you spend together. You make up excuses about being busy or tired but deep down you know they’re right.

His mistakes are everyone else’s fault. It’s his boss, or his family, his past, his childhood… everything that goes wrong has someone to blame. He doesn’t regularly take responsibility for his own mistakes.

He’s jealous. He may just say he’s concerned about your safety, or make another excuse, but he excessively calls. He texts over and over or calls repetitively until you respond, even if you’re at work or he knows where you are.

He’s excessively, maybe even inappropriately generous. He buys you an expensive gifts soon after you begin dating in attempts to buy your loyalty, or treats you far more lavishly than is typical.

He’s quick to remind you of your faults and short comings. He makes you feel less than, or that you aren’t good enough for anyone else to love.

His moods shift quickly. He can switch from fun-loving to extremely angry in a matter of minutes.

He puts you down and disregards your opinion. He says he’s teasing when he calls you stupid or an idiot or any other demeaning name but, the way he talks sometimes makes you feel bad about yourself. He calls you ‘too sensitive’ if you speak up.

He crushes your goals and dreams. He belittles your aspirations, your accomplishments, your potential, or your hopes and dreams. You strive less for goals you once had because ‘it’s easier to let them go.’

He’s manipulative. He uses vulnerable parts of your past or current life against you. He makes you feel like he alone accepts you with all your faults, but he uses your faults to increase your doubt, insecurities, and shame.

He has a past of battering. He admits to hitting women in the past, but states that they or the situation brought it on.

He takes control of the finances. Regardless of how he frames it, if it’s to ‘help you’ get your finances on track or to help with your future, this trait in combination of the others on this list is a big red flag.

He accuses you. They accuse you of cheating. They accuse you of dating people who are just friends so much that you talk to those friend less so that he doesn’t question your loyalty. He blames you for things that aren’t true.

He’s hot and cold. He disengages or becomes emotionally distant to punish you or make you fear he’ll leave you.

It’s him or nobody. He convinces you that you’ll be alone without him. No one will have you. No one will accept you. No one will believe you that he isn’t Mr. Wonderful.

Please share this post because you don’t know who needs to hear this. Abuse of any kind should not be taken lightly. Let your friends and family know that you are a safe shoulder if they recognize themselves in this list.

If you’ve been or are being abused, know this: You deserve better! You deserve love that values you, treasures you, and does not tear you down. It doesn’t matter how “wonderful” other people may think he is, if he is abusing you, the truth you know is more important than what others think is true.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available (1-800-799-7233) and can put you in touch with local resources if you need additional support.

If you don’t know my story, you can read about it in A Search for Purple Cows.

Other articles that you may find helpful:

Danger, What you Need to Know Before it’s too Late

The Courage to Save Her Own Life

Be supportive to friends or family who need your help. Be safe. Abuse is NOT love!

Please join the conversation. Did this list surprise you? Have you seen this in relationships around you? I’d love to hear from you, but please do not mention specifics of a situation that could put someone in harm’s way.

 

3 Traps that will Keep You Stuck

There’s something about the arrival of sunny days and warmer weather that brings hope – especially in the northeast where we had a foot of snow just ten days ago. The birds are chirping, the sky is blue, and people are smiling. This week’s drastic change in weather, had me feeling a bit like I was coming out of a winter hibernation. During the dark cold days of winter, it’s easy to snuggle into a routine that might be less than productive, a routine that says I’ll stay good and cozy right here until spring comes.

As I started pulling out my lighter clothes and doing a bit of spring cleaning, I realized I needed to clean out the cobwebs of my motivation in some areas of my life. There are a few easy traps to fall into that will confuse our thoughts, rob our progress, and steel happiness that was intended for today.

3 Thoughts that will keep you stuck:

When / then – When / then thinking says happier days are just down the road or around the corner. When spring comes, when you get a promotion, when you find your dream house, when you pay off your student loans… then life will be easier, you’ll be happier, you’ll save for retirement, you’ll be less stressed. Then, you’ll enjoy life. When / then thinking is a trap because life is a journey. If we get stuck waiting for a condition to be met before we allow ourselves to experience all that life has, or do the things we really should do, we’re robbing today of it’s potential. Get rid of “when” and stop procrastinating life. Find ways to enjoy where you are each step of the way.


What if – What if thinking says you might fail, people might judge you or laugh. What if you write a blog and no one reads it? What if the nudge you hear isn’t God’s whisper? Doubt sets in. Fear says stop right where you are, don’t go a step further. Inaction feels easier than the risk of a misstep because what if it doesn’t go perfectly? But what ‘what if’ doesn’t tell you is that even if you make a mistake, you’ll learn. What if doesn’t remind us that we all make mistakes. And, what if this is exactly what you need to do to make a difference of find your purpose? Trade ‘what if’ for ‘why not!’ Stretch, grow, learn and repeat. You will stand taller and go farther on the journey by participating in life.


Can’t / Won’t – I can’t lose weight. I can’t forgive them. I can’t… fill in the blank. ‘I can’t’ weaves its way into our lives with a condemning stop sign. We can’t. It’s not going to happen. It’s not possible. But, the problem with can’t is it often means we won’t. We can’t lose weight because we won’t follow the eating and exercising plan we know we should. We can’t forgive someone of the wrong they did because we won’t take the time to really understand forgiveness and how it traps us, not the person who hurt us. When we say I can’t it’s often because we need to develop discipline we need to overcome the hurdle in front of us. Whatever ‘it’ is, is most likely possible, but first we need to recognize the trap and then change our choices to support our success.

Have you ever gotten stuck by these thought traps? I’m hoping I’m not the only one that has found one or more of these a slippery slope into passing on pursing a goal, or making progress. I was convicted a bit by the ‘can’t /won’t’ trap just this week. I’m working to unhook it from my thinking so that I can make progress towards a specific goal. What about you, what will you unlock by letting go of one of these? I’d love to hear from you!

3 Thoughts that will Keep You Stuck

There’s something about the arrival of sunny days and warmer weather that brings hope – especially in the northeast where we had a foot of snow just ten days ago. The birds are chirping, the sky is blue, and people are smiling. This week’s drastic change in weather, had me feeling a bit like I was coming out of a winter hibernation. During the dark cold days of winter, it’s easy to snuggle into a routine that might be less than productive, a routine that says I’ll stay good and cozy right here until spring comes.

As I started pulling out my lighter clothes and doing a bit of spring cleaning, I realized I needed to clean out the cobwebs of my motivation in some areas of my life. There are a few easy traps to fall into that will confuse our thoughts, rob our progress, and steel happiness that was intended for today.

3 Thoughts that will keep you stuck:

When / then – When / then thinking says happier days are just down the road or around the corner. When spring comes, when you get a promotion, when you find your dream house, when you pay off your student loans… then life will be easier, you’ll be happier, you’ll save for retirement, you’ll be less stressed. Then, you’ll enjoy life. When / then thinking is a trap because life is a journey. If we get stuck waiting for a condition to be met before we allow ourselves to experience all that life has, or do the things we really should do, we’re robbing today of it’s potential. Get rid of “when” and stop procrastinating life. Find ways to enjoy where you are each step of the way.


What if – What if thinking says you might fail, people might judge you or laugh. What if you write a blog and no one reads it? What if the nudge you hear isn’t God’s whisper? Doubt sets in. Fear says stop right where you are, don’t go a step further. Inaction feels easier than the risk of a misstep because what if it doesn’t go perfectly? But what ‘what if’ doesn’t tell you is that even if you make a mistake, you’ll learn. What if doesn’t remind us that we all make mistakes. And, what if this is exactly what you need to do to make a difference of find your purpose? Trade ‘what if’ for ‘why not!’ Stretch, grow, learn and repeat. You will stand taller and go farther on the journey by participating in life.


Can’t / Won’t – I can’t lose weight. I can’t forgive them. I can’t… fill in the blank. ‘I can’t’ weaves its way into our lives with a condemning stop sign. We can’t. It’s not going to happen. It’s not possible. But, the problem with can’t is it often means we won’t. We can’t lose weight because we won’t follow the eating and exercising plan we know we should. We can’t forgive someone of the wrong they did because we won’t take the time to really understand forgiveness and how it traps us, not the person who hurt us. When we say I can’t it’s often because we need to develop discipline we need to overcome the hurdle in front of us. Whatever ‘it’ is, is most likely possible, but first we need to recognize the trap and then change our choices to support our success.

Have you ever gotten stuck by these thought traps? I’m hoping I’m not the only one that has found one or more of these a slippery slope into passing on pursing a goal, or making progress. I was convicted a bit by the ‘can’t /won’t’ trap just this week. I’m working to unhook it from my thinking so that I can make progress towards a specific goal. What about you, what will you unlock by letting go of one of these? I’d love to hear from you!

5 Ways to Minimize Your Impact and Pass on Your Purpose

It was my typical morning race against time. I had a few more things on my to-do list to get done before work. That’s when it happened. Just as I was laser focused on my list, a friend’s name broke my thoughts and popped into my mind, again. It was the third time in as many days that she popped into my mind.

I really did intend to text her after each of the other two, but both times I was in the middle of something and simply forgot. I was in the middle of something today too, but this time the nudge felt a bit more urgent. I decided to press pause on my to-do list and drop her a quick note.  Rather than just send a text, I found a picture of a flower and wrote a note on the image ‘God loves you.’ Somehow I felt like that was the right response to today’s nudge. Her instant response was far more than I expected. She texted that she’d been having a tough few days. The message was exactly what she needed. Realizing how the note met her right where she was, blessed me too by allowing me see God’s faithfulness to her in her current situation.

Perhaps it was no coincidence that I had just finished listening to a message about needing to pay attention or we might miss our turn to be used by God. In my hast, I easily could have missed this opportunity.

Missing an opportunity to be used is easy. If you want to avoid finding your purpose or don’t want to be used to make a difference, do one or several of these:

Minimize the need or importance of what you’re nudged to do. – Telling yourself that it wouldn’t matter or would be insignificant will push you into apathy rather than action. If you don’t want to be used by God, believe that little things don’t make a difference.


Disqualify yourselves or what you have to offer. – If you believe the lie that you’re unqualified or that what you have to offer can’t make an impact, you may be tempted to skip the opportunity right in front of you. Ignore that fact that God will never give you a purpose that he doesn’t prepare you for.


Listen to your voice over God’s whisper – Allow your internal chatter to focus on your to-do list and ignore any and all nudges to show compassion or help to others. Ignore nudges that will compel you to make a difference.


Focus on what you can’t do, not on what God can do through you. We all have limitations. If you remind yourself of yours, you’ll focus on what you can’t do and forget how God is capable of so much more.


Refuse to recognize the many ways He shows up faithfully and mightily. If you don’t notice God moving in your life and the lives of those around you, you may be tempted to forget his faithfulness. Ignore reminders such as how he touched my friend just when she needed the encouragement most. Caution – being grateful and observant will make it harder to ignore his faithfulness.

It is easy to fall into the traps offered by any of the items on the above list and miss a chance to do something beyond our capabilities. God doesn’t need us to figure everything out, but instead prompts us to follow his nudging. He’s got the timing and details already figured out. Don’t be surprised if you tune your heart to his whisper that he may interrupt your to-do list. But if you’re like me, you’ll be glad that he did!

If you’d like some encouragement in your week, Why not join me on Facebook or Instagram? I’d love to have you join me there.

And, why not join the conversation here…Have you ever missed your turn because of one of these traps? Or, have you done the opposite and been blessed to be used? I’d love to hear from you!

Beyond the Hype – There’s Something in March Madness for You – Even if You Don’t Like Basketball

Whether you’re an avid basketball fan or you’ve never made a bracket in your life, you’ve probably noticed that March Madness is in full swing. It’s the time of year to cheer for underdogs, embrace a Cinderella story or two, or celebrate the consistent excellence of repeat teams. No matter if you’ve been pulled into the hype, can’t stand the game, or are some where in between,  I hope you enjoy these seven tips for personal grown inspired by the game of basketball.

Distractions will try to steel your focus –Keep your eyes focused on your goals because something may try to steal your attention. Have you ever seen the crazy fans waving foolishly underneath the hoop while their opponent attempts a foul shot? Why do they do it? Because it works – distractions cause people to miss their goals! Be focused on your goals and don’t let life’s distractions sway your attention.
Follow through is important– Basketball player’s arm linger in the air long after the ball has taken flight. Why? Follow through on a shot helps propel the ball towards its desired destination. Follow through on your actions does the same for you. What follow up actions do you need to put in your life to help you get to your goals?
Sometimes you miss an opportunity– That dreaded hindsight that haunts us with “what if’s.” Could things have been different if I had taken this opportunity or not missed that one? In basketball, it could be missing an open shot or not seeing a more effective alternative. Don’t focus on what’s past, but assess, learn, and apply what you’ve discovered so the next time you’ll be more prepared.
Sometimes you just need a time out– When the momentum of an opposing team begins build, coach often call a time out. The break in the game provide margin, regrouping, or quiet time which all provide space to regain clarity when our progress stalls. Sometimes the very thing you need to do to make progress is pause, regroup, and then press on.
Assists are important– If you want to grow, make progress, and make a difference along the way, help others. In basketball, assists are tracked as a statistic because working together, equipping your peers makes a difference to the outcome. Be conscious in life that sometimes you aren’t called to make the shot but rather assist someone else make theirs.
Learn from others– Coaches impart value to players the way a good mentor can help you in life. Find an influence in your path who is more experienced or knows more about the areas you’re striving to improve. Accept their equipping insight to support your progress towards reaching your goals.
Underdogs win– Just ask anyone who’s had their March Madness bracket busted by that team they’ve never heard of who is ranked lower than anyone else left in the tournament – underdogs win. In life, you may feel as though there are others more qualified than you, more seasoned than you, don’t let that discourage you rather let it empower you. Show up each and every day in life and make the most of it because while you may feel like an underdog, today’s victory might be yours!

Are you watching March Madness? And what’s your favorite part? I’d have to say mine is definitely cheering for the underdogs.

Which of these seven tips resonate with you? I’d love to hear from you. Click to the comment and join the conversation. Have friends swooped up on March Madness? Why not share this post with them and encourage them too?

Skipping Stones and a Crosswalk, a Powerful Lesson in Impact

“You want to find one like this,” my dad said as he reached down and picked up a smooth stone. He glanced out at the still waters of the lake before he flicked his wrist and sent the stone gliding across the top of the glassy surface. The stone sent a series of ripples dancing across the water with each tap before it disappeared. He made it look easy. He was without a doubt the best stone skipper I’ve ever met.

This week the imagery of the many ripples made by a single stone resonated with me. I’ve been pondering the concept of “impact” and an example landed right in my path. You see, for as long as I can remember every Sunday at the cross walk next to my church, a man named Steve smiled and greeted people arriving. Though I never personally got to know him, his warmth truly conveyed. At the end of each service, while he helped people safely cross to their cars, he never missed a chance to send them off with a friendly “Have a great week.” Each Sunday with a servant’s heart, he set in motion ripples of kindness. I’m sure he didn’t get to fully see the impact his joy had the lives he touched. Yet with faithfulness, he continued week after week.

It took me back to skimming stones with my dad. I never could have imagined casting a stone and not watching to see how many ripples it made before coming to a rest. But in life, sometimes making a difference calls for us to do just that. We do what is kind or compassionate creating ripples. We’re not called to stand and see how big the splash or how far the ripples travel. Instead we’re called to be faithful and to continue to touch lives and make a difference.

Steve’s funeral was last Saturday. Although he’s no longer standing at the crosswalk, his smile, his kindness, and his difference continue to make ripples.

In memory of my dad and Steve, I thought I’d share a few ways that you can make more ripples in your world:

Smile. The world needs more sunshine. Smile and be kind to the people who cross your path. You never know, your smile might be the only encouragement they notice today.
Enjoy more fruit. No, not in your diet, but in your life. Galatians 5:22-23 says “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Are these evident in your daily life? If not, make adjustments and get more fruit in your day.
Share your fruit. If you want to multiply your fruit, share it with others. Find ways to share kindness, gentleness, and joy with those around you. You will bless them and it might just make your heart happier too.
Make a difference, even if you don’t see all the ripples. Never miss a chance to do good when given the opportunity. You may not see all of the impact you make, but make it. Steve couldn’t have known how sincerely he touched the lives of our community. His impact lives on even though he isn’t here to see it.
Don’t worry about the size of the ripples. Make the difference you are called to make, no matter how big the ripples may be. For example, if you feel called to blog, then blog. Write it. Don’t’ worry how many people will read it, just write it. Even if you only impact one life, it is worth it!

Now go make a splash! Smile. Say ‘have a nice day.’ Encourage someone whose path you cross. And never stop making a difference, even if you don’t personally get to see the impact.

Overwhelmed!? 5 Life Hacks That Can Help.

If life isn’t exhausting enough, this week we lost an hour. Is it just me or does that mere sixty minute loss throw everyone for a loop? According to the news, there’s a 24% spike in heart attacks and a 17% jump in car accidents the day after the time change. It’s as though everyone is simultaneously hit with mini-jetlag without the benefit of the vacation to precede it.

So what can you do if you were already feeling overwhelmed and need a few quick fix ideas to get back on track?

Put it down. No really, put it down. All of the things you are trying to keep track of in your mind drain your energy and focus. Write down your mental to-do list so that you can free your mind to focus on what you are working on now. Your list can be on paper or if you prefer electronic, just check your app store for one that could work for you.
Identify your top three overarching priorities / goals. This one can be challenging. If you’re like me, you can easily rattle off a dozen priorities. Scale them back, boil them down. Pray for clarity. Identify three. Just three. I’ve reduced mine to health (physical, emotional, spiritual), relationships (family and friends), and lastly my ministry (writing and speaking). Each week, look at your to-do list and identify which of your three priorities/goals the task accomplishes. When possible, do those items that impact one of those three first. This will allow you to gain meaningful momentum in the areas that are most important to you.
Restructure your time. Ask yourself when are you most productive? Then creatively look at your schedule to see how you can rearrange your time allowing you to focusing during that more-productive window of time. For example, if you’re a morning person and one of your primary goals is physical health, yet despite your great intentions you just can’t seem to push yourself to the gym after work, free up your morning routine and schedule your gym time then. For me, I am a morning person and I write my best in the morning. I’ve rearranged my morning to save writing blocks that are helping me get my next book project done.
Leave breadcrumbs for tomorrow. This is one of my personal favorite productivity hacks. I leave myself a beginning for the next day. When I write, I start the next paragraph or next chapter before I turn off my computer. It gives me a place to grab hold of to keep going. If I want to do my laundry first thing in the morning, I might sort my clothes and set them in front of the washing machine before I go to bed. Starting from “something” is easier than starting with a blank page. Leave yourself breadcrumbs of what you want to do making it easier to make progress with your next effort.
Say no. Despite our superhero attempts, we’re not wonder woman or superman. Yet, how many times do we agree to take on one more thing when we were already beyond our limits? Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves, and those around us is say no, not this time, or not right now.

Resist the urge to conquer the world today. Life isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon. And, marathons are run by putting one foot in front of the other over and over again. Focus on what’s in front of you, plan for what’s ahead, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey!

Enjoy what you’ve read? Why not share it with one of the social media icons? Maybe one of your friends is feeling overwhelmed and this is just what they need. Be blessed! And your comments are always welcome.