Drops of Encouragement, Post #10

January 7, 2014

Drops of Encouragement, Post #10

Happy First Transformational Tuesday of 2014! Today I offer you two questions to ponder: Who was the last person who encouraged you? Who have you encouraged?

I am one who forges ahead and doesn’t claim sickness. I am embarrassed to tell you I felt under the weather right after Christmas. OK, I was as sick as a dog—fever, achy, coughing, sneezy; my eyes even hurt. I went to the doctor and started taking some great antibiotics. It was a wonderful way for God to slow me down. I read and wrote and read.

I bought an economy-sized bag of Hall’s cough drops and found a pleasant surprise. As I was about to throw away my Hall’s wrapper, I noticed the words “A Pep Talk in Every Drop” and the following:

“Don’t waste a precious minute.”
“You’ve survived tougher.”
“Don’t give up on yourself.”
“The show must go on.”

I smiled. I even felt better! What brilliant marketing! What wonderful encouragement! I’m so proud of Hall’s. I will buy Hall’s cough drops just for this reason. (By the way, I feel 200% better, back to my energetic self).

If a simple cough drop wrapper can make me smile and encourage me, imagine what encouragement precious you can offer someone, even to a stranger.

Encouragement is such a gift. It is even considered to be a “spiritual gift.” See below from Romans 12. A man in the Bible named Barnabas had a knack for encouraging people. In fact, his name means “Son of Encouragement.” (Acts 4:36).

Have you considered smiling at the Target cashier and asking how she is?

Have you thanked your mom and dad for raising you well and sacrificing so much for you?

How about complimenting the lady in the Chick-Fil-A with the well behaved children?

Or what about telling the adorable little, elderly lady in the elevator how beautiful her scarf is?

It might be the only positive reinforcement or encouragement he/she may get today. Today is your day to encourage, to be a Barnabas. Be encouraged, friend.

Reflect:

–What is a recent example of someone who encouraged you or who you encouraged? Please comment below.

–How did that encouragement make you feel? Please comment below.

Renew:

–“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others; let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him to it cheerfully. “ –Romans 12: 6-8.

–“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 15:5

–“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11

PS. Happy, Shiny New Year! Today is also a great day to print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free by simply adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog. My personal mission statement is “Shine,” based on Matthew 5;16.

December 31, 2013

Leading From The Booth: Thoughts on New Year’s Solutions, Post #9

Today is the last day of the year–it can be monumental or easily rushed to get to the midnight party. Why is it monumental?

I love the last day of the year to go out on my back patio and recap in my journal the highlights of this year. Then and only then do I start writing a few New Year’s “Solutions.” Isn’t it funny that the word “resolution” is “re-solution,” as if we need a solution do over?

I encourage you to reflect today, to look back and pat yourself on the back for all that was accomplished through you this year. Sure, you didn’t get done all that you wanted to get done. Who does? Before you tell yourself all the things you want to improve and change in 2014, please ponder on the many good, no, GREAT things about yourself. Can you remember all the great things that wouldn’t have gotten done if not for you?

Remember that you influence the world around you.

Enter Eddie.

Eddie is the parking lot attendant at my work’s medical office building. His “office” is a tiny booth, perhaps five feet long by three feet wide by. Eddie is one of the most positive, passionate, influential servant leaders I know.

Eddie loves his job. How could a parking lot attendant love his job? I intentionally observe him in action. He waves at everyone. He smiles. He calmly answers questions asked by nervous patients and eases their spirits. He ensures parking spaces are available to accommodate those who need them.

Every morning, without fail, as I turn in from the street, pass Eddie’s booth to drive into the employee parking garage, Eddie spots my car, comes out of his little booth, waves frantically and blows kisses. He makes my day.

Just the other day, guess what I saw? Bird feeders in the little tree across from Eddie’s booth. Eddie purchased hanging bird feeders and bird food to make the birds happy AND improve his environment even more!

Eddie is happily married and brags on his wife and marriage every chance he gets, so his gestures and affection are totally innocent. He exudes the love of Christ.

This summer I was walking to a meeting, and I passed Eddie’s booth. He came out to ask how I was. I noticed my 2012 Christmas card was hanging in his little booth wall, along with others. He has made his space inspiring, made his walls talk. Just the other day I looked in his booth. He’s added this year’s Christmas cards to last year’s.

Eddie inspires my heart and challenges me to be better. Instead of thinking about changing your work, your home, change your attitude about your work, your home, your environment. Add “bird feeders” near your booth. Make the walls of your work inspire you; make them “talk.”

Smile. Wave. Blow kisses. Be the calming force to nervous spirits. Make someone’s day. Be like Eddie.

As you reflect on this year and prepare to write your New Year’s Solutions, think of Eddie.

PS. Today is also a great day to print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free, by simply adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog.

My personal mission statement is “Shine,” based on Matthew 5:16.

Reflect:

–As we excitedly and expectantly welcome the blank pages of a new year, what are three highlights of yours this past year?

–How will you be more like Eddie ?

Renew:

-“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw.” –Proverbs 24: 32

-“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” –Proverbs 27:17

-“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” –Proverbs 27:19

-“Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’” –Habakkuk 2:2,3

Recharge:

–What is your personal mission statement? Please let me know.

–What are three ways you can improve your work, your home, your “booth?” Please comment below.

November 19, 2013

No Mo Status Quo, Post #3

Do you know who Sir Roger Bannister is? Or what his claim to fame is? Don’t worry. I only learned of him recently when I realized he made the impossible possible.

Sir Roger Bannister was the first man in the history of the world (or record keeping) to have run a four-minute mile. It was said it couldn’t be done. On May 6, 1954, at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, Bannister broke the four-minute mile with a time of three minutes, 59.4 seconds. Bannister was 25 years old, and at the time was practicing as a junior doctor.

After accomplishing this impossible feat, Bannister’s record only lasted 46 days. Not even two months. Bannister went onto become a notable neurologist. Watch the incredible footage for yourself below in the video link in “Resources.”

What a man. What a dream. What a goal—a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG), as Jim Collins and Jerry Porras call it in their 1994 book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.

I would rather call it a Big, Holy, Audacious Goal (BHAG). So, dear friend, What is your BHAG, your biggest dream? What are your passions? What is hindering you from achieving your biggest dream or dreams? I wrestle with these questions.

A few years ago I started my life goal list, some would say a “Bucket List.” Included on my list is to write and publish a book.

Most of my life I have enjoyed writing. For years, I have dreamt of writing and publishing a non-fiction book. Twelve years ago, I had an epiphany to write a book about “waiting,” since we all wait but don’t seem to like it. So what did I do about it?

Not much. I started a folder and would occasionally add handwritten sticky notes with a chapter outline, idea, or quote. The BHAG of writing a book and even thinking of getting it published became overwhelming. “Perhaps when I retire,” I pondered.

In December 2012, my heart was shattered and blindsided from a relationship breakup. In the healing process, I cried out to God and asked what life lessons I could learn from this experience. The divine answer I received was:

“Write. Write your heart.”

One day in January, Proverbs 31 ministries President Lysa TerKeurst wrote in a daily devotional that a typical non-fiction book contains about 60,000 words. She usually makes a 12-chapter outline, and tries to write 5000 words per chapter. Suddenly after reading that practical devotional, the impossibility of my BHAG became possible.

Divinely led, I began writing in the evenings after work and on the weekend. I finished the very rough draft manuscript at the end of June, six months later, with 61,329 words. The book, with the working title of Wait.For.It., still is a work in progress.

This adventure led me this past summer to the dynamic Proverbs 31 Ministries “She Speaks” Conference in Charlotte, where I met with three publishers. I also learned how useful literary agents are for many authors, so I attended The Fedd Agency’s “Re:Write Conference” in Austin in October. It is such a delight to meet so many incredible writers and speakers and learn from them.

Through their influence, I, the least “techy” person I know, also took a leap of faith to start this “Pure Inspiration” blog. We’ll see what God does with it all. I am enjoying each moment of the adventure.

If I can do it, surely you, the much more equipped of the two of us, can do it. Please start today.

Reflect:

What is/are your Big, Holy Audacious Goal(s)?
What keeps you from dreaming big?

Renew:

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” –Matthew 17:20 (NIV 1984)
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” –Luke 1:45 (NIV 1984)

Recharge:

Add a deadline and a timeline to accomplishing your BHAG.
List the first steps to accomplish your BHAG. Do your first step this week. You can do it!
Please let me know what you decide to do.

Resources: