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7 Important Life Tips from March Madness

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. I know I’ve watched a few nail-biters and surprise upsets. 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 life tips inspired by the game of basketball.

1. If you allow them, distractions will steal your focus.

Keep your eyes focused on your goals because there will likely be something that tries 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. In life, choose your focus carefully and be aware when distractions are attempting to sway your attention.

2. Follow through is important.

Have you ever noticed that a basketball player’s arm lingers 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?

3. 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. A basketball player doesn’t quit the game because they missed a shot. Instead they take another. When we make a mistake or miss an opportunity, we need to be persistent and keep going.

4. Time outs are valuable.

When the momentum of an opposing team begins build, a coach often call a time out. The break in the game provides 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. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a “timeout” when life is pressing against you.

5. 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 Look for opportunities to help others. It’s an important part of life!

6. 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.

7. Underdogs can 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!

It’s your turn:

Are you watching March Madness? We’re down to the final four already. What’s your favorite part? I’d have to say my favorite part is cheering for the underdogs. I love a good Cinderella story of a team that overcomes to win at the final buzzer.

Does one of these seven tips resonate with you the most? Maybe it’s one you needed to hear to encourage you to get back on track. I’d love to hear from you. Click to the comment and join the conversation. If you have friends who could use this encouragement, why not share this post with them and encourage them too?

Until next time friends, be blessed!

 

You may also enjoy:

3 Reasons Underdog Victories are the Best

3 Secrets an Ironman Taught Me About Perspective

What Baseball Taught Me About Life

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What you need to know when you feel unappreciated

Recently I attended an event where recognition and praise were heaped upon a few individuals while many who had put in a phenomenal  effort seemed to be forgotten. The applause for them was silent and the silence was deafening. It’s an empty feeling of being unappreciated that most of us can relate to. We work hard for our families, our employers, or even on self-improvement but sometimes it can feel like no one notices or cares about our effort.

This week as I pondered the the times in life when we  feel unappreciated my thoughts were interrupted by a unexpected lesson in personal impact from an extremely unlikely source…. a conversation about cantaloupe.

The other day my son shared a memory that he recently remembered. Several years ago he went to the fridge to get a slice of cantaloupe only to find there was only one piece left. He turned and asked if I wanted it. My reply surprised him. “No thank you, I don’t like cantaloupe.” Up until that point he had assumed that I enjoyed it as much as he did because I bought it and prepared the way I did. But, in that moment, he realized I didn’t do it for me.

Until our conversation, I didn’t know that my fruit slicing practice had left an impact, but it did. My simple act of scooping out the seeds and having it grab-and-go ready said “You matter. I care. And, you are loved”

It also left me with some wisdom for when we feel unappreciated or overlooked for what we do.

1. Silence does not equal unnoticed.

Sometimes it feels as though no one notices our efforts. We can do our best or maybe go above and beyond only to find the resulting silence deafening. There’s no ‘ata boy, or way to go at the other end of the hard work. It’s almost as though the universe left us hanging with a high five… our hand in the air ready to celebrate but no one on the other side to reciprocate. But don’t mistake a lack of applause for being unnoticed. You never know who is watching or how they will be impacted by your choice to act with kindness, integrity, and compassion. Don’t do what is right for applause, do what is right because it’s the right thing to do, even if you’re the only one cheering when you’re done.

2. Silence doesn’t equal no impact.

When you don’t receive a thank you or you don’t see appreciation, don’t underestimate the impact you’ve had. I’ve sliced cantaloupe for years and never knew that it provided an example of a simple selfless act of caring to my son. When work hard and share compassion, others will be impacted by your efforts even if you never get a single acknowledgement. Refuse to confuse a lack of affirmation for a lack of impact. Keep being kind and caring while doing your best. You will have an impact!

3. Past silence does not determine your potential.

You future and your potential are not based on the amount of applause you’ve received. God’s purpose for you is not dependent upon who has or hasn’t noticed your efforts or potential in the past. Don’t let someone’s opinion or lack of recognition limit your view of your future. Just because they couldn’t see your value doesn’t change God’s purpose for you.

It’s your turn:

Have you ever been disappointed by not being acknowledged or recognized for your efforts? How did the silence impact you? How were you able to shake it off? The next time you feel unnoticed or unappreciated, remember my story of sliced cantaloupe. Just because you don’t hear feedback at the time doesn’t mean your efforts were unnoticed or that they lacked impact. Refuse to let the feeling of being unnoticed discourage you. The future is bright friend. Don’t let a situation of lack of recognition keep you from being the best you!

If this encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you. Click to comment and let me know what you think.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

The post What you need to know when you feel unappreciated appeared first on Susan Call.

3 Phrases 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 snow is still lingering around the edges of our yards. The birds are chirping, the sky is blue, and people are smiling. The changing weather has me feeling a bit like I’m 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.Guess what friends? Spring officially arrives this week!

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. In doing so, I stumbled upon these three phrases that will cloud our thoughts, rob our progress, and steal happiness that was intended for today.

3 phrases that will keep you stuck:
When / then

When / then thinking says happier days are just down the road or around the corner. We tell ourselves when spring comes, when you get a promotion, when you find your dream house, when you pay off your student loans, when your kids are a little bit older… 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 future “condition” to be met before we allow ourselves to experience all that life has, or do the things we really want to 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. Uncertainty says what if you write a blog and no one reads it? Or if you try something new and no one likes it? Doubt sets in. Fear says stop right where you are, don’t go a step further. Inaction feels easier… truthfully safer 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 grow from them. 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.

I can’t 

I can’t lose weight or I can’t forgive them. Fill in the blank for your I can’t… This phrase 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 really 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 holding on to the anger makes us bitter and does nothing to the person who hurt us. When we say I can’t it’s often because we need to develop the 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.

It’s your turn

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 recently convicted a bit by the ‘can’t’ trap on an area I haven’t made progress this past winter. But, it’s time to spring clean our thinking and look ahead. I’m working on establishing a few new goals so that I can make steady progress in the weeks ahead.

What about you, are one of these phrases keeping you stuck? What do you need to take care of with a bit of spring cleaning – thoughts, habits, or your actual closets? Click to comment and let me know. I’d love to hear from you! Be sure to click to share if you were encouraged so that you can encourage others.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

You might also enjoy:

How To Face Problems With A Winning Approach
How to Improve Your Outlook from Where’s Waldo
What to do When You Think You’ve Been “Here” Before

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3 Lies You Need To Stop Believing

When Zach Williams reached the chorus of his popular song “Fear is a Liar” the auditorium filled with the hundreds of voices joining in. Many in the audience seemed to sing at the top of their lungs almost as if to proclaim that fear had lied to them too. That powerful moment standing in that music-filled auditorium has stuck with me since that night. As I thought about yesterday, I began to consider other lies that keep us stuck, unhappy, or feeling broken. Maybe you’ve been bit by a few of these lies….

Grass is greener lie.

Watch out for this lie when a shiny new thing tries to lure you. The grass is greener mindset says you’d be happier with that other thing that you don’t have instead of what you do have. It’s toxic thinking because it leads to under appreciating what you already have. Truth is the grass is greenest where you water it. Treat what you have well Do necessary maintenance – whether it’s painting your house or taking your significant other to dinner. Be intentionally grateful for what you have. Sometimes change costs far more than you think and in the end you find isn’t actually greener. To combat this lie, find reasons to be grateful for what you have ever day. List out three each night before you go to be.

The social media #lifeisperfect lie.

Social media will tell you that everyone else is living their flawless dream life, except for you. Studies have found that use of social media can increase depression because we see the gap between the images online in comparison to our own lives. On the outside it appears as though our friends have one big perfect Instagram story from start to finish tagged #nofilter to boot. But, life is far more than what’s captured on social media. Those are just the highlights. Everyday life requires getting messy in the trenches with our families, dealing with challenges at work, and having enough energy to make it to the end of the day. If you’re pursuing a life that looks only like what you see on social media, you’re pursuing the unattainable. Everyone, even the most together people with the best Instagram posts have challenges. You don’t see how many retakes they took to get that one perfect image. And even if someone is in a season of ease, there will be a time when they’re struggling too. It’s part of life. Refuse to believe that what you see online is the whole story because it’s not.

You’re dreams are too big lie.

That dream you have inside, you know the one that you might only have told one other person – it’s your dream waiting to see the light of day. Don’t’ keep it in a box for “one day.” It’s on your heart because it’s part of who you are. You want to start a blog, or a youtube channel, or learn to paint… whatever it is, why not give it room to grow. Every book that has been written was started by someone writing a first sentence down. Everyone whose learned a foreign language started by learning their first phrase. Big dreams can feel intimidating. But, refuse to believe that they’re impossible. A harvest can only grow where seeds have been planted. And, dreams can only be realized when we take a chance and let them grow.

It’s your turn:

Why let go of these lies? Because life is meant to be enjoyed. When we foster a grateful heart, refuse the comparison trap, and pursue our dreams, we might just find life is a bit sweeter. What lies have you seen trip people up? And, what do you do to defeat them? Or, if this post has encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you.

 

A few other posts you might enjoy:

5 Important Steps You Need Realize Your Dreams
How to Have A Better Week
5 Things To Do When Your Doubt Is Bigger Than Your Dreams

The post 3 Lies You Need To Stop Believing appeared first on Susan Call.

How to find hope in the middle of winter

It caught me by surprise. Without warning, my voice jumped at least an octave. Sitting in my driveway, talking to a friend in far warmer Florida, I shrieked. “I saw a robin!” In fact, it wasn’t just one but about a dozen of them frolicking in my front yard. They swooped from the tall trees that line one side of our yard down to the peach tree not far from where I sat and then darted back up to the tall trees again.

Realizing I was talking with a southerner, I didn’t know if she knew the significance of seeing a robin when you live in the cold snowy north. I shared with her that I’ve always looked to the first sighting of a robin as an early sign that spring is coming. Long before the tulips break through, the trees bud, or the temperatures warm, robins announce that the seasons are about to change.

As we spoke, neither of us could ignore the symbolism in life. So many people, including me, are now, recently have been, or are heading into as season of challenge. Difficult seasons can feel like long tunnels where you can’t see the end. But, there is hope. And, my flock of winged friends served as valuable reminders for all of us, especially if life feels a bit like winter right now.

1. Seasons don’t last.

Even the coldest, toughest, feels-like-it-will-never-end seasons in life come to an end. Some seasons, like winter some years, over stay their welcome. Battling a long illness, relationship woes, or parenting weariness can feel like incredible marathons. But, we can look back across our own lives and see the ebb and flow of challenges. Tough seasons are temporary. They will come to an end. Look for the robins in your situation. Maybe it’s more chemo sessions are behind you instead of in front of you. Or, maybe your child unloaded the dishwasher with out being asked. Robins can look different to each of us depending on what season we’re coming out of. Be encouraged. Challenging seasons don’t last.

2. Change starts before you can fully see it.

My yard is still covered in snow and our thermometer reads a mere 3 degrees. It would be easy to complain and be disgruntled by the bitter weather. But despite appearances, change is creeping in. Soon the snow will melt and water the flowers that are still tucked in the ground waiting to bloom. The birds’ return are an early announcement – almost a save the date. Spring is on its way. It’s the same in our situations. We may see all the reasons to hold on to our weariness. We might even be able to create a full list as to why our circumstances are worse than the winter outside. But, that doesn’t mean things haven’t already begun to loose. Life is a journey and change is a process. Just as the flowers have already begun to grow in the ground, your situation isn’t stagnate. Hold on to the encouragement that God is already answering your prayers, you just can’t see it yet.

3. Hope is best when shared.

My sweet friend in Florida noticed the instant change in my voice. She could feel my joy. In that moment, hope multiplied. I went on to share my robin sighting with co-workers. They haven’t yet spotted any robins. But, when I told them about my frolicking flock, they too were encouraged. Sometimes in life, we’re the ones who have found reasons to be hopeful. We need to share it with those waiting for their current season to end. Hope shared is multiplied and lifts us all up a bit. Be a multiplier.

4. Notice the little things.

When you feel stuck in a season, it can feel like your mountain will never move. Notice when small changes hint that a shift is beginning to happen.With the weather, I notice that the sun is warmer, the sky is bluer, and the snow has mounds are a bit smaller. In life, the little things can be found in the moments where we catch our breath. It might be as simple as catching yourself laugh at a joke, or smile when you see something sweet. Your little thing might be the first lab test that comes back with numbers a bit better than last time despite still being in the middle of the battle. Be on the look out for breaks in the clouds. The little things will encourage you and help remind you that change is coming.

It’s your turn:

What do you look for when you want to see signs that the weather is changing and spring is finally coming? Have you seen any signs yet? Has my robin sighting given you hope that the seasons will be changing soon? Click to comment, I’d love to hear from you.

What about when your going through a difficult season in life, what encourages you? Why not share it below and help others find hope too.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

You might also enjoy:

Hail, Hydrangeas, and Hope – 5 Nuggets of Wisdom for the Storms of Life
4 Things You Can to do to Conquer Weary
Overwhelmed? 10 Things You Can Do to Help.

The post How to find hope in the middle of winter appeared first on Susan Call.

How to Win the War of the Wants

I’ve heard it said that “it’s a battle out there” but what I’m learning is that the battles we face are a lot closer than “out there.” Standing in my kitchen the other day, I found myself starring in to the abyss of an open refrigerator. What do I want? I thought.

But I wasn’t prepared for the aha that followed… I had warring wants. On one hand, I wanted something indulgent because it had after all been a very challenging day. However, my momentary pause reminded me that I was trying to get back on track with healthy eating choices. Suddenly I realized that in many of life’s decision moments, we’re faced with warring wants and not recognizing the battle. There are several things we can do to wake up our inner warrior and come out a winner when we have choices to make.

1. Recognizes your conflicting wants.

When we boil our decisions down to their simplest form, we’re answering a question of “what do we want” when we make a choice. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to hit the snooze button in the morning without every giving it a second thought? But, when we reach for that button, we may be encountering our first conflicting want of the day. Do I want to rest a bit longer in my cozy bed, or do I want to get up and have quiet time before my family wakes up, go to the gym or in my case write? Choosing the snooze button is picking a winner between those two wants. Without actually saying it, we’re telling ourselves the rest is a greater priority over any of the actions we’d have taken if we got up.

The intersection of our choices reveals the battle of our wants. Do I want to indulge in a warm gooey brownie that is my comfort food love language, or do I want to move the number on the scale back to where I’d like it to be? Our days are filled with warring wants. But before we can begin to win the battle, we need to see the choices for what they are.

2. It’s not about good vs. bad.

Some decisions have more obvious or tangible impacts. There may be a clear winner in this is better than that. But, we can face similar battles when both choices seem good. Lysa Terkeurst’s book the Best Yes deals with just that. Sometimes in life we have to decide between two things that both sound good. Recognize that those moments have warring wants too. Take time to assess which is the “best” yes, which choice gives your time and energy to the people, activity, or things that have a higher priority for you? Sometimes you will need to say ‘no’ to good things so that you are free to pursue the better ones.

3. Realize it IS a battle.

There’s power in our choices, especially the ones we seemingly make on autopilot. Recognize that your old habits and patterns will challenge your desire for change with each decision you encounter during the day. Recognize your conflicting wants and the war they wage on your progress. Thinking through my choices this week, I realized that if you don’t acknowledge the battle, you won’t show up prepared for the fight.  I haven’t had a warrior mentality when it comes to my morning routine or even my food choices. And, I’m sure I’m not the only one who occasionally beats myself up over not making the best choices.

That flipped this week when I recognized those moments as battles. The power is in the moment of decision. In those moment, identify the two wants – do you want to honor your commitment to building your nest-egg, or do you want that cute new outfit more? When emotional, do you want to choose the over-sized cookie over your desire to hit your goal weight? Which priority matters most? Recognize the warring wants and then give yourself power and authority to choose which want wins. Show up every day with a warrior mentality ready to fight for the wants that are most important to you.

4. Recognize the buy now, pay later traps.

Decisions that hit our Achilles heals don’t come with an advertised sticker price. Like a free 7-day trial, the cost isn’t displayed up front but slides in after you’ve “signed” on the dotted line. In the everyday battles we face we have to be honest with ourselves what we’re “buying” and how much it will really cost in the end. Don’t buy the party sized bag of chips if you know you can’t eat just one and are trying to lose weight. Don’t meet your friend at the mall or log into Amazon if spending is your weakness. Go to a coffee shop and not a bar if alcohol tempts you.

In the war of our wants, there are some that sneak in as small seeds that can grow deep roots if we aren’t careful. When a desire for temporary “relief” from stress comes in the form of something that can take us down the wrong path, we need recognize the trap. Want a healthy version of you more than you want the escape it provides.

5. Don’t fight alone.

Chances are you can already identify one of your decision trouble spots. You may find this awareness gives you just the fuel you need to take charge of your decisions. Or, instead you may feel like the new awareness is overwhelming. No matter what the area of your struggle, you’re not the only one!

You don’t have to look far to find others who are dealing with similar difficulties. Whether you find a Facebook group, a good friend, a support group, or a counselor, support isn’t far away. Also, don’t discount the power of leaning on your faith when decisions are tough. Scripture says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13.  There is no battle you need to fight alone. Make this week the week that you find warriors to walk along side you in your battle!

It’s your turn.

I wish I could say that since my aha I’ve made only good choices but, that wouldn’t be the truth. What I have found is that I’m having a bit more internal dialog about a few of my decisions. In some cases, I’ve done well. In others, I’m learning that I need to do a bit more. What about you? Is there an area that you’re allowing autopilot to pick choices that aren’t what you really want? What will you do differently this week? Please comment and let me know if my aha encouraged you too. And if it did, why not share this post?

This week:

When you find yourself in a decision-making autopilot moment, ask if you have conflicting wants. Identify the warring wants and consider if you’re giving priority to the one that’s best for you. If you have an area that’s been a battle but you haven’t been showing up ready to fight, wake up your inner warrior – you owe it to yourself. Maybe this is the week you need to add to your team and stop fighting this battle alone. Identify a friend, counselor, or resource to add to your team and let them know what you’re struggling with.

Have a great week friend! And until next time, be blessed

.

A few other posts you might enjoy:

What Tidying Up Taught Me About Perspective
4 Things You Can to do to Conquer Weary
5 Things You Need To Do When You Feel Off Track

The post How to Win the War of the Wants appeared first on Susan Call.

How to Have a Full Time Impact on a Part Time Schedule

It was just supposed to be a night of volunteering with Compassion while listening to some amazing music by Casting Crowns. I didn’t expect a perspective changing realization from a surprising source.

Before the event began, I remembered once hearing Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns say that they only tour on certain days of the week so that they can honor commitments at home. He’s a youth pastor and members of the band are worship leaders at their church. Being a youth pastor is who he is as his primary vocation. “Crowns” as he referred to their group, is his “side gig.” I remembered being impressed when I first heard the intentionality of their schedule. As I’ve increased my speaking events each year, I’ve kept what they shared in the back of my mind.

The other night Mark mentioned it again. When he did, I was struck by a thought that rocked my perspective. As I watched an entire auditorium inspired and singing along to their music, I realized “this” is what a “side gig” or “part time” looks like when God’s hand is on an effort. Mind blown.

Often I’ve wished I had more time to write or speak and have dreamed of what my impact could be one day when I can devote more time to it. I’ve caught myself wishing I had the schedule of friends who have more time to pursue both. And, I’ve talked about my writing and speaking as “part time.” But, suddenly standing at a Casting Crowns concert I realized that I was allowing myself to minimize the potential of my impact by having a part time mindset.

5 Things we can do to have a “full time” impact:
1. Be intentional with your priorities.

In order to have the greatest impact with our efforts, we need to get our priorities straight. That can feel challenging some times because we often have multiple “important” things warring for our time and energy. But, the great news is we have the power to choose what gets our attention at any moment. I loved hearing that Casting Crowns intentionally heads home to honor commitments to the youth at their church. Reaching thousands with their encouraging music is important, but it takes a different priority when it is up against their primary commitment at home. The irony is both their music and their home church ministry are stronger as a result. When you’re intentional with your priorities, your impact with each becomes stronger as a byproduct.

2. Be faithful with what you have.

Be faithful with the time, energy and skills that you have. That means resisting the urge to say “if only you had more time” or tell yourself you’ll have a greater impact in a different season of your life. When you do what you can with what you have where you are, it’s enough to make a difference. Mark Hall said that Casting Crowns is essentially a side gig. As I watched them inspire an entire auditorium of people, I realized what God can do with our “part time” efforts. When we’re faithful with what we have, God does the rest.

3. Have a full time impact attitude.

When we need to juggle between multiple priorities, it’s important to be fully present when we’re focusing on one of them. Choose to adopt an all-in attitude for what you are doing when you do it. Each thing that gets your attention will be impacted most if you don’t allow your focus to be fragmented.

4. Don’t compare.

You’ve heard it before but I’m going to say it again, don’t compare. As you set out to make a bigger impact with the areas of your life that have less time, don’t compare to other people with similar journeys. It’s easy to fall into the trap to see the impact or progress of someone else. Your journey is not theirs. They’re not walking in your shoes either. Resist the comparison trap. It will consume your time and energy and rob you of potential impact.

5. Recognize what’s significant.

A simple phrase from a Steven Furtick sermon has stuck with me for quite some time – “This is significant.” How it has stuck with me is that when God nudges you to do even the smallest thing, or puts something on your mind, even if it seems trivial, it’s significant. Occasionally I’ve said it out loud when I’m following through on a nudge. It’s easy to tell ourselves something is too small to make a difference. But, small seeds of faithfulness can bear great fruit. The same is true for our “part time” efforts. You don’t have to be called into full time ministry to change the world. God can use your few hours a week to plant or water seeds that can become something much bigger. Just look what he’s done with the side gig for Casting Crowns!

It’s your turn.

Do you ever wish you had more time to pursue your passion or find your purpose and feel like “part time” isn’t enough? I know I’ve dreamed of the chance to one day write and speak full time. But, that’s not this season of my life. And, after this week, I’m going to look at my time a bit differently. I’m going to resist the urge to box in the impact of my efforts. Instead I’m going to focus on being faithful with the time I have outside of my work and family. And, I’m going to leave the impact of the efforts up to what God allows to happen.

Won’t you join me in freeing the potential and possibilities of what can come of the part time things in life? What will you do differently? Or how has your perspective changed? Click to comment, I’d love to hear from you. And, if this has encouraged you, why not share it so that together we can encourage more people to have a full time impact even with part time opportunities.

Until next time friend, be blessed!

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The Surprising Thing I Overheard at the Airport

I’m not usually one to eavesdrop but…this conversation couldn’t be missed. I didn’t initially notice the two pilots sitting near me at the gate waiting for a recent flight. The beginning of their conversation hadn’t caught my attention but soon their chatter was hard to ignore. One of the pilot’s voice grew in volume and excitement as he began to tell the other pilot about a recent experience. Apparently, he was flying during the recent super blood wolf moon. His words painted spectacular imagery of the sky aglow, illuminating the night sky from his front row seat in his plane’s cockpit, complete with the moon full and red. The seasoned pilots enthusiastically continued their conversation until it was time for our flight.

As I boarded the plane, I appreciated the enthusiasm of the pilot. His shared story surprised me with three valuable reminders for every day life:

1. Embrace the wonder.

For the excited pilot, it was just “another day at the office” when he experienced the super blood wolf moon. He could have been so focused on their late departure, the patch of turbulence they encountered, or maybe even a disagreement he had with his wife when wonder unfolded before him. No matter what was going on in his life that day, he slowed down to smell the roses. While we likely won’t have the opportunity to see what he saw that night, there are still plenty of opportunities in our everyday life to appreciate what’s around us. From the beautifully painted sky at sun rise or sun set to the soothing sound of a steady rain, the laugh of a young child, or the warm smile of someone we care about, we don’t have to look far to see magic around us. Embrace opportunities for wonder in your daily life. We never know if or when we’ll be able to experience what today has to offer again.

2. Share your excitement with others.

These days you don’t have to look far to find negativity. It’s in our social media feeds, in the news, and just about any direction you turn. When you encounter “wonder”, a smile, or a laugh, share it. Joy is absolutely contagious! Sitting at the gate, the pilot couldn’t help but speak loud enough for others to hear. His words oozed with the thrill of having witnessed something amazing. As he shared, his energy and awe impacted anyone lucky enough to hear him. It provided a powerful reminder to not just  just show up each day when we can instead show up looking for the good, the unique, and the memorable moments, and then share about it with others. Hope and joy shared is multiplied.

3. Remember the opportunities you get.

Life is full of once in a life time moments woven together in the fabric of daily life.  We can get so focused on our routines that special memories become like photographs tucked away in an album and are all but forgotten. When life challenges us, It’s too easy to focus on our troubles.  Instead, let the moments that make you smile be glitter sprinkled on your life – easy to see and hard to get rid of. Don’t live in the past but let those moments give you joy for the journey today and in the future. The great thing about a happy memory is it never wears out! Remember the good, the special, and the wonder you encounter.

It’s your turn.

Wherever you are today, look for the wonder and share it. Slow down and enjoy the sunset. Go for a walk and watch the clouds. Or, look at the beautiful and unique crystals in a snowflake. Or, sit down on the floor and play with a young child. Enjoy a laugh with someone you love. Wonder can look as unique as today is… let your heart be open to see it.

When you find it, be sure to share what you found and experience with others. Call a friend, text a family member, post it on your social media, or comment below and share it here. When you do, you’ll help others remember how to find the joy and wonder in their daily lives too.

If you’ve been encouraged by this post, why not click to share it with your friends? And, be sure to click to comment and let me know.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

 

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The Unexpected Wisdom in a Cancelled Flight

For the few days leading up to my trip, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the weather forecast. News reporters hyped up the heavy snow fall headed our way. Friends and coworkers reassured me that I’d easily get out before the worst of the snow rolled in. I hoped they were right… right up until the moment I realized they were completely wrong.

Standing at my gate I watched the visibility outside fade to near white-out conditions as the ground crews de-iced my plane for a third time. Reality settled in, my flight wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon and they’d already chewed through the little bit of layover time I had to make my connecting flight. I had planned to fly south to meet my daughter to help her drive form the south back to New England. Struck with the reality that our trip would wait another day, I stumbled upon wisdom in my cancelled flight.

Things don’t always go as planned.

We can carefully map-out exactly how things should go, but they may ultimately not go as we had planned. Even when we “take care” of everything that we have the power to control, things may turn out completely differently than desired. When that happens, it’s okay to temporarily visit disappointed, but don’t unpack and move in there. The next time a grounded flight holds you back or a monkey wrench ends up smack dab in the middle of your plans, try to roll with it as much as you can. Adjust, adapt, and move on.

Timing isn’t our own.

We may want what we want in our timing but, it doesn’t always work out that way. We may want a new job, a new home, a bigger family, or any other opportunity when we want it. Waiting can be hard but it may be exactly what we need.

If you’ve ever been a few minutes late leaving home only to pass an accident on your way, you know that sometimes a delay keeps us safe. For my flight, the danger was visible. While I didn’t want to wait, I knew it was keeping us from traveling in treacherous conditions. We’re not always fortunate enough to see what we might avoid by a delay nor do we always understand a benefit of waiting. But, we can rest assured that God’s timing is perfect. If “it’ doesn’t happen when we want it to, it’s because it’s not his timing yet.

Your attitude impacts the outcome.

Standing in line at the ticket counter, I couldn’t help but notice the wide array of attitudes surrounding me. A few people quickly took out their frustrations on the gate agents who quite obviously had no control over the conditions nor the amount of seats on later flights. Some approached the counter with graciousness and understanding. I took the approach of let’s see what we can make work together, trying to remain positive. The difference ended up being a flight nine hours earlier than had I simply asked to rebook with the earliest flight the agent could give me. Remaining positive, gave me the clarity of thought to suggest looking for alternatives at nearby Logan airport. When we work to keep a positive attitude, we see possibilities where before we only saw the challenges or disappointments.

Opportunities can come with a change of plans

With my new travel time, my arrival shifted until lunch time the next day. My daughter googled places to eat near the airport. She found a fun place that ended up being one of the many highlights of our trip together. Had I flown in the prior evening, we would have missed the cute local spot. Often delays or seasons of wait open up opportunities that we would have missed all together if the timing was different. A mural on the wall of the restaurant we found said “You are now.” What a great reminder to be present. Be open to what today holds for you. And, in the moments of discouragement when what you want is “not now” embrace what is.

It’s your turn:

Have you ever had a time when things didn’t turn out the way you planed but in the end worked out ok despite the challenges? Or, did you ever have a time when things didn’t work out on your time but in the end that was what was best? Click to comment I’d love to hear from you. And, if one of my take-aways resonated with you, be sure to let me know.

Four things you can do the next time your plans don’t turn out the way you wish they would:

Let go of what you can’t control. Don’t waste your energy worrying about things outside of your control. Focus on what you can influence and move on.
Watch your attitude. Try to remain positive and let go of discouragement or negative self talk.
Look for the opportunities. Look for the good in your situation. Find the opportunities you would have missed otherwise.
Be grateful. Even if you feel discouraged, find reasons to be grateful.

A few other post you might enjoy:

Overwhelmed!? 5 Life Hacks That Can Help.
5 Things You Need To Do When You Feel Off Track
3 Surprising Things That Happen When You Let Go of Excuses

Until next time friend, be blessed!

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A Surprising Message in a Dream that Encouraged Me

I woke up with a startle. Some dreams seem more real than others. This was one of those.

Just moments before I awoke, I was standing on the far end of the deck behind our house. As I stood there, a swift wind kicked up, blowing strongly around me. As it grew intensity, I clenched my hand shut, grasping the paper I held. The fiercer the wind, the tighter my grip. When the wind died down, I uncurled my fingers revealing a now crumpled piece of paper. Carefully I unfolded it, my eyes focusing to read what it said. “El Elyon.” That was it.

Almost as soon as I read it, I woke up. Reaching for my phone, I capture what I had read. I knew I’d forget it if I waited.

When I fully woke up, I looked up the words to find the meaning “God Most High.” While I was intrigued by the realness of my dream and what I read, I didn’t really understand it until talking with a good friend.

She suggested the symbolism of the wind as trials. And, when the wind wiped around me, I grabbed hold of God tighter until the storm passed. In my dream, I was intent on keeping a firm grip and refusing to let the paper with a name of God on it slip away.

Over the past year, I’ve had my share of “windy” days.

I hope will encourage you for the windy days you have as well.

Storms are temporary.

While we’re standing in the middle of a difficult season, it feels like it will last forever. The winds of life can be fierce. Hold on to the truth that seasons change and your storm will end.

You get to choose what you hold on to.

When the wind whips around us, we get to choose what’s in our grip. We can hold on to fear, anxiety, or doubt. Or we can choose to cling to God and our faith. If the wind kicks up harder, cling tighter. When you hold on to your faith in difficult times, God is faithful and fuels our hope.

God is bigger than your storm.

No matter how difficult our challenges or how long our trials, God is bigger than our greatest difficulty. He speaks about our troubles as victories in the past tense. Trust that he is bigger than your storm.

It’s your turn:

As I thought about what to write about this week, my mind kept taking me back to the windy dream on my deck. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone needed to read this reminder, just now. Friend, if you’re in a windy season right now, I hope this encourages you. I pray that your storm is stilled. And, if you’re in a good season now, it’s a great time to remember your past victories and share your story. When you do, you share hope, you’re reminded of God’s faithfulness, and you can see your own growth.

Encouraged by this post? I’d love to hear from you. What things do you do to give you strength when you’re in a windy season? Why not share, it could help someone else.

 

Until next time friend, be blessed.

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