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Jun 30

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What Will They Say?

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” – Leonardo da Vinci

At a funeral service for a family friend, a few of family members reflected on a life well-lived filled with laughter, tears, inside jokes, little moments.  Loyal, generous, kind, gentle – principles lived out each day.

What will they say about what you left behind? Move through each day keenly aware of the brevity and gift of life and your capacity and duty to make a positive, loving and lasting impact while you’re here. What will they say? You’re writing it each day in your thoughts, words and actions.

Jun 26

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Finishing Touch

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” – Thomas Merton

My parents drove up to Duluth early Saturday morning to surprise my brother at the finish of his first marathon. With great anticipation, we waited in the rain for him to turn the final corner. Cameras ready and cow bells ringing, Tina, Emily and I were cheering to get his attention and then pointed out Mom and Dad. John’s mouth dropped and he stopped in his tracks to embrace Dad. Emily brilliantly captured the moment, summing it all up.

Family, friends, love, unwavering support, being there in the rain to celebrate our wins, easing the heavy steps all make the long race possible and meaningful. The finishing touch to the journey well traveled, never alone.

“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato

“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato

Jun 25

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Mission Accomplished

“If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.” – Brian Tracy

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill

There’s nothing quite like achieving a personal goal after months of work and effort. Each day, through repetition, consistency and seemingly small steps, the goal becomes real with time and patience.

This past weekend, my brother John finished his first marathon and my niece Emily finished her first half marathon. I’ve done dozens of half marathons and am training this summer for my second marathon in Fall. It was refreshing to see the event through their fresh eyes.

When I was running with Emily, she kept telling me to go ahead. I would have finished earlier but I would have missed the joy of watching her goal unfold to fruition 13.1 miles later. Our victories aren’t always in being first or fast but in showing up, doing the work and finishing. And the victories are always sweeter when shared.

Jun 19

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Let Go of the Rope

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.” – Lao Tzu

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

Summer reminds me of waterskiing the beautiful lakes and rivers in Minnesota. Walking out of work after another thick day, “let go of the rope” came to mind. When you start losing your balance waterskiing, you naturally let go of the rope so you don’t get pulled under and dragged along. A vivid reminder of releasing and letting go of the day, finding a renewed balance.

We think that we should hold tight no matter what, even if it drags us under. There’s no heroism or strength in stupidity and stubbornness. When you get off balance and start to fall, let go of the rope. You’ll float.

Jun 18

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Today

“The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain common work as it comes certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

When we realize that happiness quietly resides in each moment, each day, our reality shifts. Regardless of the burdens that we all carry, we can walk lightly on a new path. What will you make of today? That’s all you have to answer for. Pretty simple.

Jun 16

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Quiet Strength

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C. S. Lewis

On this day that honors fathers, I am gratefully reminded of the lessons learned from my Dad. Work hard – never hold back, do your best – every time, hospitality – all are welcome, live out your faith – words alone are hollow, and you can be anything you want to be when you put your heart, mind and effort into it – no limits. The confidence that he instilled in my sister and me is ever-present to this day. A very important gift from a father to a daughter. He continues to live out these principles consistently, quietly and under the spotlight.

Happy Fathers Day to all Dads – divorced, single, widowed or no longer here. You are in a position to have a tremendous and life-long impact on your children and grandchildren – be there consistently with great love and strength.

Jun 15

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Stand Out

“No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.” – George Washington Carver

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Do not merely blend in, go along to get along, fit into the pack. Conformity dulls and mutes beautiful color. Define yourself and live it without hesitation, leaving more behind because you passed by. We are here to be salt and light, to stand out. Be bold and transform yourself and in turn the world.

Jun 11

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Magnify

“There’s no enlightenment outside of daily life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Put down the binoculars, searching in the distance. Pick up a magnifying glass to this day, to now. Surely amidst the daily routine and rush, you can find but one good thing, then another and another. You are not where you’ve been and you are going where you need to. Look through the glass with awe, surprise and delight.

Do the work, find the joy in it, then put it down. Rest, reflect and do it again. The rhythm of daily life. The outcomes come whether we worry about them or not. Let life unfold without pushing. Magnify each moment.

Jun 9

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Breeze

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

Heads up and heads out the window – notice the day and simply enjoy it. Don’t overcomplicate, just accept the moment.

Jun 6

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Untether

“It is not the end of the physical body that should worry us. Rather, our concern must be to live while we’re alive – to release our inner selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a facade designed to conform to external definitions of who and what we are.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Growing up, we would play tetherball on the playground. Hitting the tied ball back and forth until it would wrap around the pole to win the game. What we tether to, binds us in the same way, holding us back from good days, a good life. Assumptions, attitudes, ideas, judgments, biases, the past… Cut the cords and watch those heavy balls turn into balloons, floating away. Untether, lighten up.

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