In our fast paced, soundbite society it’s easy to appear like we’re listening when we’re actually not! It’s a terrible thing to have someone right in front of you and pretend to listen. But all of us do it! Just about everyone we meet is doing this. We are too! If we’re honest, we’re thinking about a million other things when someone is talking to us. We think about everything from what’s for supper to what are we going to say next. Forming our reply isn’t listening – just in case you didn’t know. So how do we get better at listening?
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A recent article was released by John Cooper, lead singer of the Christian rock band Skillet. This article struck a cord in my heart so I thought it might be something worth diving into here on the blog. Let me start by saying that I totally and completely support what Cooper wrote and the direct nature of his words. I couldn’t have said it any better. But I do have a fear of how this will be read, hence me adding my two cents worth.
Continue readingAnxiety! Worry! Fear! Stress! They’re everywhere! Just turn the corner and a new mountain of tasks mounts on yoru desk and another pile of to-do’s is added to your list. Then consider back to school, extracurriculars, keeping the house organized, the big project at work, Christmas is really not that far away, volunteer hours, and the list goes on and on. It’s almost like there’s just too much worry to be able to healthily manage our day to day affairs!
Continue readingThe saying is older than me and I have no clue where it comes from, but I’m certain we’ve all heard it. Less is more! The idea is simple. Do less in a more intentional way and you’ll end up being more effective in the long run! So the question we need to address as individuals and organizations is What are we doing that we don’t need to be doing anymore?
Continue readingEver look in a mirror and not really like what you see? Ever think you’re not really cut out for this thing? Maybe you wrestle with not feeling like you’re good enough. Self-esteem in the ditch and purpose waning like it doesn’t even exist? I have to admit this is a problem for so many people. It’s easy to put on a show like you’ve got it all together. We put on a smile and act all confident but inside we wonder why in the world God chose us to do this thing.
Continue readingLife has been flying by at a frenzied pace lately. Not sure if it’s the same for everyone but I’m fairly certain we’re all in a very similar boat here. We have pressures from work and home life. The yard needs mowed and flowerbeds need constant attention. The kids’ schedules are filling the calendar and the weekends are already showing signs that this will be a busy season for you! Your older kids need some attention but your younger ones need a whole new level of attention. All of this and we haven’t even considered your personal time or the time needed to invest in your marriage!
Continue readingLast week in the post titled What’s the point? I referenced the idea of the tyranny of the urgent. And as promised here’s a quick rundown of what that looks like and how to better manage the important and urgent portions of life. Before we begin, I must confess. There was a time in my life when I was something called an adrenaline junky. Adrenaline Junkies are dangerous people. We’re dangerous because there’s not a lot we can’t do but we’ll run most people over in an effort to get them done. Additionally, they’re dangerous because they get all fired up and go like gangbusters when they’re pushed to the limit of time and ability.
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