I don’t know about you, but I can speak firsthand on this one. Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that God is always at work in my life. And I want to remind you that no matter your situation or circumstances, he’s working in your life, too. We many not see it, but he is always behind the scenes doing 10,000 things in each of our lives and there’s a pretty good chance we’re very unaware of most of it.

It’s important that you and I stay mindful that God never takes a day off. He’s at work 24/7 unfolding His unique plans for our lives. And His plans are far greater than mine and yours. He reveals next steps, as needed, in His timing, not ours. And his timing is ALWAYS perfect. Sometimes I need a nudge or actually a push or shove to let go and let God. He’s more than capable, Actually, He’s the most capable. I know I can’t make it happen (whatever it is) apart from God, but I still insist on trying so often it makes me end up feeling like a fool. I hit the repeat button, AGAIN, acknowledging that God didn’t design you and I to do it alone. We need the support and encouragement of each other and we need Him.  

I no longer aspire to be self-reliant, even though that’s what I’ve been taught by some to strive for as an indicator of success. Instead, I’m declaring my dependence on God, the creator, sustainer, deliverer and redeemer of all things.

God help us sharpen our awareness of you and the countless ways you’re working it all together for good in each and every person who believes in You. Thank you for pursuing us and working in and through us in ways that are both seen and unseen. Help us to step out in faith, to worry less and trust You more, to share our faith with others, and point them to You.

I’m drawn to the sunshine, but what I’ve realized even more is how attracted I am to people who shine as bright as the sun. I love being in the company of those who are giving their best and doing whatever it takes to accomplish the task. These rare finds are putting their heart and soul into everything they do. They have a faith that seems to be unwavering and a focus on all that is good. And they refuse to get sidetracked by what seems impossible. People who shine are simply fun to be around. They lift you up by just being in their presence and their passion and positive attitude permeate everyone they encounter.  

What I have discovered in talking to people who shine is that it doesn’t necessarily come naturally. It’s actually a decision they make every day – to shine bright no matter what circumstances they face. They know how dark the world can get and they intentionally choose to be the light and do small things with big love. They start with what they can control, which is their attitude and perspective that they bring with them everywhere they go. I don’t know about you, but that’s encouraging to me. We are all capable of being people who shine, or perhaps better put, people who shine bright more often. Today, I hope you’ll recognize some of the people who shine in your life. What qualities stand out to you about them? What step can you take to shine brighter today?

I have an irresistible urge to dance, said me never.  What about you?  Maybe dancing is something you love that sort of comes naturally to you or perhaps, like me, you’re convinced that when it comes to rhythm, well, you’d love to have some, but you’re pretty certain that when you were created there wasn’t an ounce of it placed within you.  

This past weekend a dear friend and colleague invited Ben and I to go out for the evening.  She wanted us to join her at a place where our mutual friend was deejaying.  She said we’d love it because everyone dances.  While part of me thought it sounded like so much fun, the more realistic side of me knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was way out of our comfort zone.  The only time we’ve busted a move in the recent past is with our two-year-old son in our living room or at a wedding reception where we’ve locked arms for the occasional slow dance. 

Here’s what I learned.  Dancing is good for the soul.  It’s a stress reliever.  It’s fun and it feels good.  Dancing is a mood booster and reminds me how much I love and appreciate music.  It brings people together.  And it induces smiles and laughter.  Dancing helps us break out of our shell.  And you know what else I realized?  Nobody cares if you can’t dance well.  So just get up and dance and receive all of the benefits that come from doing so.  I’ll bet money on it that you walk away from the dance with a shift in your perspective that can only come from partaking in the dance.  

I think there’s a life lesson hidden within our willingness to dance if it’s something we’ve struggled with in the past.  I don’t pretend to fully understand it all at this point, but I believe that there is a reward in doing things in life that make us feel uncomfortable.  In taking action and seeing things from a different perspective.  Had I never stepped onto the dance floor Friday night my view would have looked quite different.  When we step out into the dance floor there are people waiting to meet us there.  

What will you do the next time you’re presented with the invitation to dance?  Will you make excuses about not being good enough, having no rythym, etc. or will you embrace the offer and join in the fun?  I hope you decide to just dance.

I will walk by faith even when I can not see. Not because it’s the easy path. I know from past experience that this simply isn’t the case. But rather because it’s the path where God reveals his plans for our lives, which always prove to be far greater than anything we could have dreamed or imagined if we insisted on remaining in full control (which is really just perceived because there is so little that we can control).  

It requires you and I doing things that aren’t necessarily going to be popular among our friends and family. It involves letting go/surrendering so that God can go to work. There’s a pretty good chance that, at times, we’ll feel like we’re walking alone through the desert when we choose this path. Our decisions/choices won’t make sense to many but God is with us every step of the way. There’s often a shake up when we step out of our comfort zone and decide to walk by faith even though we can not see. Our lives may feel like they’ve been turned upside down or flipped inside out. It will be messy. And at certain points we’ll have more questions than answers. But God makes good on all of this and uses it all to change our lives and strengthen our faith.  We’ll find determination and perseverance, and courage when we walk by faith. And we’ll never regret trusting in what we can not see–a God who is at work 24/7 bringing all things together for good to those who trust in Him. And his timing, well, we learn pretty quickly that it’s nothing short of perfect.

Having just returned from a family vacation, this quote caught my attention. For many of us (myself included), we’ve made travel or vacation some sort of escape from reality. And in many ways it is a retreat from our crazy busy lives…from our work/personal commitments and responsibilities and our to do lists and daily routines. But I also love the perspective this quote brings. Traveling ensures that you and I don’t allow life to escape us. It provides opportunities to unplug, destress, take in beauty, breathe, experience new adventures, visit a dream spot or revisit a favorite destination, meet new people, spend quality time with those you love, recharge, reflect, and so on. There’s just something so special about travel that makes us feel so alive and brings us a greater appreciation for things.  

I’m thankful that somewhere along the way my perspective has started to change about travel. I’ve come to realize that I love my crazy busy life right where God has planted me in Toledo, Ohio and I’ve decided to adopt this mantra when it comes to getting away. I’m no longer going to look at vacations as a way to escape from my life, but rather as a way to make sure life doesn’t escape me. And I’m thinking that this is a pretty good filter to use for any sort of travel. You and I don’t have to wait for a dream vacation. Maybe it’s just a day trip, an overnight or weekend get away. Are you in?  

Drop a comment/picture below of your favorite travel destination.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a superstar when it comes to trying to overcomplicate things. It’s WAY out of my comfort zone to just begin. I’n an over thinker and an over analyzer. And while I’m at it, why don’t I just come clean that I’m a girl who often errors on the side of over communicating, too. 

 When it comes to making a change I like to ask 7 (or maybe it’s closer to 27) other people for their input/insight in search of the opinions I want to hear. I process best by talking and talking and talking some more. I’ve also been known to spend hours researching online. And then there’s my list of what if’s to run through. I can talk myself out of making a change just minutes (even seconds) after committing to the change I felt so darn good about. I want to make certain I’m making the right decision. Can you relate?  I’m realizing how exhausting this process can be. 

 It’s a new year and that means change is on the brain for many of us. You may be considering a change in you health, your diet, your daily routine, your exercise plan, and so on. What if you and I decided not to make change too complicated? And we chose to just begin. Knowing that we can make adjustments as we go. That we’ll most likely never have it all figured out before we begin. But once we begin, we’ll open ourselves up to more of what we want. And we’ll be one step closer to where we want to be.  

For me (and maybe for you, too) it seems pretty easy to walk through my life room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done and cracks to be patched. And while I have my own private and often unspoken list of a few personal flaws that could stand some fixing, I also tend to have no issues pointing out others’ faults. I’ll be to first to admit that it’s not very becoming. Our brains definitely seem to be trained to run on autopilot when it comes to being crystal clear about what we don’t want. But when it comes to articulating what it is we do want, well, it often gets a little foggy. 

What if you and I decided to balance out our list this year? What if we went about each day, not looking for flaws and all the ways we (and others) fall short, but for potential. Think about areas of your own life where untapped potential may be waiting to make its debut and shine. Also consider how you might encourage someone else to step up and share the unique gifts they’ve been concealing. And let’s make 2017 our best year yet!

I have dreams and my hunch is that you do, too. So what if we flipped the switch and stopped believing that “the struggle is real and we started believing “the dream is real? I don’t know about you, but I’d be all over a conversation with that lead in.  

It’s not that I think it’s struggle free, but it has to start somewhere, right? And I’m a firm believer that it begins with a shift in our thinking/mindset. Maybe you’ve started contemplating your New Year’s resolutions or perhaps, like me, you’ve made them so many times in the past and never stuck with them that it just sort of seems pointless.  

One thing I know for sure is that I want 2017 to be a year of dreaming more so I’ve decided to change it up a bit. I’m setting aside my oh too familiar list of resolutions and I’m getting more clear about my dreams. And I’d love for you to join me.  I want to stop playing it so safe and step out of my comfort zone because that’s where I know that you and I have the potential for so much more growth. I can find myself just gong through the motions, at times, where I just get lost in a daily list of my to do’s, and I can lose sight of what I’m moving toward personally and professionally. I’m going to commit to putting my dreams in writing and talking about them more. I want to start focusing more on all the possibilities instead of my lengthy list of all that seems impossible . I want my faith and hope to trump my fear. I want to embrace failure and learn from it because I know it’s part of the process. I want to look forward instead of backwards. I want to focus on what I can change not what I can’t. I want to pray more and worry less. I want to set aside distractions and spend more quality time with family and friends. I want my words to express more gratitude and less bad attitude. I want to be more thoughtful of others and be less preoccupied with myself. I want to lift people up rather than tear them down. I want to talk more with people than about people. I want to search out solutions rather than just complain about problems. I want to loosen my grip on some of the things I hold so tightly to, especially things like my free time and money. I want less stress and more peace. I want to focus more on the dream being real than the struggle being real. And for all of this to be possible, I need more of God and less of me.  

What about you? Do you have any plans or thoughts about starting the new year? Are you making New Year’s resolutions? Or is there a dream you’re ready to pursue or maybe reignite? Let’s make 2017 a year of believing that those big, crazy, exciting, wild, fantastic, amazing, and outrageous thoughts in our heads that get us so excited about our future, well, they’re a dream you and I have and the dream is real.

When I picked up the phone to make a reservation at a Hilton Hotel yesterday, I had no idea I was about to be reminded that one person really can make a difference. I know what you’re thinking. Who calls to make a hotel reservation when you can just book a room online? But I had a few questions that needed clarification so I felt like it was best to talk to a real person.  

We’re getting ready to head south for a family vacation for the holidays and we’re planning an overnight hotel stay where we’ll leave our car at the hotel and take a shuttle to the airport. When I dialed the 800 number, I was warmly greeted by a gentleman on the other end named James. From the moment he spoke, his voice put me at ease. He asked how he could best serve me and take care of my specific travel needs. And he did it so sincerely. When I inquired about the Park, Sleep, and Fly option, he shared that the package was available and that the rate included parking for 7 days. I asked about daily rate for the remainder of the time we’d be traveling and after looking into it he said, “In the past seven years, I’ve never seen anything like this.” The words came out of his mouth in such a way that I knew I didn’t just win the jackpot. He explained that parking at the hotel is limited and that the vehicle can only stay on the property for seven days. But he thought that sounded off base.After placing me on hold and speaking with his manager, he thanked me for my patience and let me know that while the hotel I inquired about wasn’t going to meet my needs he was working diligently to find me another excellent option. He found out that the hotel would indeed tow our car. He said, “I can’t believe it.” He acknowledged that he thought that wasn’t right. He said, “Leslie, when I pick up the phone, I just want you to know that I do so as your advocate. So right now, I want to do whatever I can to ensure you have the best possible experience. Who says this, right? Especially in such a sincere and genuine way that you believe it will be done.

James did indeed come through on his promise. He found another Hilton-owned property just a few miles away that was a little less money and included parking for the entire time we’ll be away. He went on to explain that the room was actually an upgrade from the room that was available to us at the property we originally called about.” He gave me the address of the property and had no problem allowing me a few minutes to research it online while we were still on the phone to ensure that it met/exceeded my expectations.  

While I briefly conducted my online investigation of the hotel, James shared a little bit about his background and the many years he spent in a management role in corporate America. He shared that his job required him to travel and that he had stayed in more hotels than anyone ever should. He told me about how he believes in the Hilton brand and the company’s mission and his job is to provide the highest quality customer experience and get to know the people he’s assisting so that he can best meet their needs. I said, “James, you should be teaching this stuff. Why aren’t you a corporate trainer?” He shared that he’s a Christian and the most important thing to him is to be wherever God wants him to be. And he feels that his position with the Hilton is exactly where God’s called him right now. He went on to explain that he feels it’s important to take time to “visit” in an effort to learn about his customers so that he can make a real connection with them. He shared that he’s fortunate to have a manager who agrees with his philosophy.  

James is a rock star at his job! Don’t worry. I told him that, too. If I owned my own company, I would want James working with me. He’s a leader without the leadership title and he left such a lasting impact on me. He ended the call by wishing me and my family a blessed and Merry Christmas and he told me to go out and do great things. I’m so thankful for James’ reminder of what we can all forget. I am only one person. And you are only one person. We cannot do everything, but we can do something . So let’s not refuse to do something we can do. And we’ll change the world!

P.S. After the call, I looked up the mission, vision and values of the Hilton, which, by the way, is something I’ve never done after talking with a customer services representative from any other company. And sure enough, it was no surprise that James embodies all of it! He’s so proud to be representing a company he believes in.
Hilton’s Vision
• To fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality- by delivering an exceptional experience- every hotel, every guest, every time.  

Hilton’s Mission:
• To be the most hospitable company in the world- by creating heartfelt experiences for guests, meaningful opportunities for team members…

Hilton’s Values:
Hospitality- We’re passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Integrity- We do the right thing, all the time.

Leadership- We’re leaders in our industry and our communities.

Teamwork- We’re team players in everything we do.

Ownership- We’re the owners of our actions and our decisions.

Now- We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline.

Doing things out of love feels good, doesn’t it? When our hearts are in the right place the follow through seems like a breeze. It’s when we agree to do something we’re less than thrilled about or say “yes” to a few too many things that we find ourselves at our tipping point. How did this happen again? The incredible opportunity we had to serve others and show and share big love is lost when we say “yes” to too much or show up with our heart in the wrong place.

What are the warning signs that you’ve reached this point? You’re overly stressed. Under your breath you say things like, “I’m just really busy. I don’t have time for this. I don’t want to go. These people don’t even appreciate what we’re doing. Next time, I’m just not even going to ________ (fill in the blank).” Or worse yet, you vocalize your frustration to anyone and everyone in your path who will listen. You’re mentally, emotionally, and physically drained before you even step foot out the door. You show up, but at the same time you check out. You’re “there” but not really “there.” Your mind is focused on a hundred or so other things you’d rather be doing than what you just showed up to do. You can’t wait until the event, get together, project, etc. is over because you’ve now made it something to endure instead of something to enjoy. And when it’s all said and done you’re absolutely exhausted and wiped out.

If you and I want to make an impact, if we really want to make a difference in the lives of others, we need to do a heart check. Are we saying “yes” because we suffer from the disease to please everyone? As a recovering “people pleaser” myself, I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve said “yes” and showed up to carry out my good intentions with my heart in the wrong place. Or are we saying “yes” out of a place of genuine love in our hearts, where it feels rewarding and so worth every ounce of effort we’re putting forth that we’d never question doing it any differently? 

We’re human, right? So how do we do everything with so much love in our hearts that we’d never want to do it any other way? And what about those times when we do things, not because they’re things WE WANT to do, but things we or others feel WE NEED to do or have to do? I know for certain that we can’t go at it alone. First, we must be willing to ask God to fill in the gaps, to direct our steps, to open, soften, and change our hearts, to help us prioritize our “yeses” so that we don’t overcommit. Sometimes we need to make the decision not to engage in negative commentary about the situation. That means you and I agree in advance not to state the obvious to our friend, family member, or colleague about what we have to do (or just got done doing) that we’re less than ok with because we already know that these conversations never, ever lead to a good place. I’ve seen this play out countless times in my own life, especially in marriage. Before Ben and I know it, in the sharing of our intense frustration about a situation we’ve said “yes” to, we often end up at odds with each other. And in the end, we’re in a heated conversation about things we can’t significantly impact or change. Instead, we must choose to control what we can, which is our own attitude and actions, and let go of what we can’t. Easier said than done, but so worth it, I promise!  

And when we fall short, because we definitely will at times, we just need to seek God for the forgiveness, grace, and mercy. He’s waiting to provide an abundant and never ending supply of it to each of us.

Are you ready for a heart check? What can you do today that comes from a place of love? Pay attention to how you feel when you do it all with love in your heart and I suspect, like me, you’ll want to do it again and again because it makes you and others feel so good.