Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!…and the start of a long weekend.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

I Peter 4:8-10 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God’s grace in it’s various forms.”

Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

Normally, this may be referring to pearls of wisdom (and you can take it that way if you’d like) but my reference is to the the way nature forms pearls.

“Natural pearls form when an irritant – usually a parasite and not the proverbial grain of sand – works its way into an oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, a fluid is used to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating, called ‘nacre’, is deposited until a lustrous pearl is formed.”
Pearls.com

I was still thinking it was a grain of sand so I learned something in writing this one.

So…
What is your nacre? How do you take an irritant and make it a cherished thing of beauty? Better yet, if you fancy yourself a cultural alchemist, converting garbage to gold (you thought I was going to say something else, didn’t you) then what do you apply?

I would submit that the easiest answer is Love. It could take the form of education, financial investment, attention, a sense of belonging, role clarity, trust, autonomy or high purpose but however you define it, it takes serious energy and courage. The courage to push back on status quo, the courage to sacrifice others perception of you, your motives, or your passion. The courage to take the risks associated with the rewards of turning a collective downward spiral (often under the false impression that things are OK) to a positive, aware, functional enterprise on its way to being once again sustainable and successful by the most current definition.

“Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.”
Teddy Roosevelt

I chose not to place much focus on the parasite in the definition because we are all too familiar with the forms this dysfunction takes on; anger, deceit, jealousy, apathy…entitlement, poor judgement, blame, etc, etc.

I was recently introduced to a new term, “Embrace the dysfunction.” I bristled at the idea. I prefer to identify dysfunction then eradicate and rebuild. Then I started asking myself, “To what end?” The part I am warming up to is that this slightly slower conversion may be a minimal disruption technique. Rather than split the patients ribcage wide open to gain a grand view of the heart, it may be better to go up through the groin. Less invasive=more effective? Perhaps.
Less “healing”…if it works.

Let’s call this another tool in the belt.
or
Another pearl on the string.

Have a blessed weekend!

Good morning, Team! It’s (Good) Friday!

I think stress is usually caused by the difference between what we think should happen (good OR bad) and what actually does.

I have some awesome coworkers who all deal with stress differently.
•one very fit professional will double their exercise routine to stave off upcoming stress
•another took up welding…
•a number find respite in traveling to a peaceful location and leaving “things” at home
•a large number will retreat to the corner pub where they can grab a burger, a beer and a bar stool and pontificate
•one of my favorites is the guy who simply says, Hakuna Matata.

Leaders deal with stress like every one else, perhaps a bit more muted or then again, perhaps equally as loud with more resolve to bring the worlds of “is” and “could be” together.

Advice for those looking for their own way to beat the beat down of stress…

•There is the stress from anxiety where we worry ourselves into a tizzy:

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
– Mark Twain

•For those whose stress comes from being frozen, unable to pick yourself up:

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
– Dale Carnegie

•For those looking for an easy way out with no stress:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
– Helen Keller

So is stress good or bad? The answer is yes. It is certainly both. My opinion is that it has extremely negative connotations. If the amygdala in the brain is triggered with a fight or flight response, your body tenses up and your heart rate increases-stress is as detrimental as you allow it to be. It can also be a motivator to change your circumstances. Either way, you’ll need to find an effective way to anticipate, prepare and deal with it…or it will deal with you.

Have a blessed weekend! Happy Easter!

Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

I woke up this morning feeling like a wrung out dish rag.  The flu has had its way with a lot of families this season.  I guess it is now my turn.

My apologies for not submitting a real blog today.  No wit, no sarcasm, no nuggets of wisdom…similar to every other week, just less reading.

Be grateful that reading this doesn’t expose you to the bug.

Have a blessed weekend!