Servant Leadership

 I've recently taken on a role in my community out of a sense of duty.  I've always been one that has sought to serve others.  This is very much different than when I served in the Navy.  While on active duty it was expected/demanded that each perform their duties as prescribed.  There was recourse when a link in that process failed.  

In this community role, there are voices of those with a financial stake that have a right to voice opinions and vote on the outcome of desired actions.  As with all things in life there will be triumphs and defeats on both the individual and the collective.  

It is my goal to let those know that think they have been defeated in an outcome to know they have been heard and to allow them time to be upset and process their feelings.  Hopefully I can be part of a team that lets the community know that our positions in these roles is that of support for the entire community since we are also subject to the process.

I have been praying for guidance and this morning I received an email, to which I subscribe, reminding me about servant leadership.  

Wake up call

 Recently I had a health scare and at first I brushed it off to an oddity.  Even though it only happens to 3 in 100,000 people (all about my age) I eventually took it seriously.  With my sedentary job and retirement form the workforce approaching I had to take control of my health.  It started with a very easy fitness regimen and I have been adding to it.  I finally had the foresight to know that I can't immediately bench 325 and do 100 pushups on day 1.  Will I get there?  Time will tell.  What I do know is that even the smallest of steps gets me closer to my goal.  A goal without a plan is just a wish.  Today I encourage you to make a goal, figure out a plan (whether it takes you 6 months or 2 years) and then hold yourself to your plan.  Happy
goal hunting!

New Year new challenges

 I suppose it could be said about every day.  A new day full of it's own challenges. Certainly we must have a plan for the future but we cannot get to the future without first getting through today.  Sometimes when life feels overburdened, it's all some can do to get through the next hour or even the next minute.  Personally, I have been in that position on more than one occasion. When I get in these doldrums I end up being embarrassed to think that I'm in that position. I have the innate ability to focus on things that are wrong, or that I don't like instead of focusing on the areas in my life that are rich and full of joy.  Today, I focus on the good. 

God answers prayers

 I've been praying for a certain outcome over a situation to be resolved by my birthday.  When I checked the situation yesterday morning (my birthday), no resolution.  I thought, it's okay because God doesn't work on my timings.  

This morning I checked on the situation again and lo and behold, I got the positive outcome I desired and the update to the situation was yesterday.  God answered my prayer and was generous enough with his grace to influence the outcome when I asked this of Him.

I feel that through obedience to His word and doing what He asks of me I get favor.  I'm not bragging by any means.  I just want you to know that if you're praying for something it will be answered. 

I heed my own advice.

 Just sayin', get over yourself.

It's not about not caring

It isn't a hardened heart because I have great empathy for those less fortunate.

It isn't about how much I have for I have a sufficient amount and can live within my means.

It isn't about not caring, for I do care about the situations around the world and the people suffering.

The more clarity I have on life the less concern I have because I know I can weather the storms.  

It comes down to my circle of influence and my circle of concern.  My circle of concern is much larger that my circle of influence.  It's at the point where those 2 circles intersect is where I focus my abilities to assist.

When it's all of sudden

 When I reached an all of a sudden moment I had to realize that any changes I desire to make in me wasn't in that aha moment.  It was a culmination of events that finally got me to that point.  

Sometimes the desire to change is driven by negative circumstances (ok, a lot of the time) and then there are circumstances that just make me want to change how I think about myself.  We can live in the slurry of negativity or take the time to think what we think about ourselves and others.  

I feel like just changing how I think about myself in general will have a positive impact on my perceived self-worth, my character and how I view the world.  As I sit here and think about it, it reminds of what it was like being a little kid.  Shoveling the years of negativity and anxiety out of my mind creates new space for letting in the new thoughts.  

So it's only taken my X amount of years to get here.  I'm rather excited about what the future holds once again.