I have come to believe that almost everything in life can be explained by American C&W music. In one song I enjoy, the singer talks about watching an important part of his life fade away in the distance in his rearview mirror. He asks, “Did I wait too long?” Of course, because this is a C&W song, he is singing about his girl. But, nonetheless, this reminds me of a quote by, of all people, Alexander Graham Bell:

“When one door closes another door opens; but, we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

The song and the quote are getting at the same thing…

“We often wait so long to take action or to make a decision that the opportunity passes, leaving us with regrets. We more frequently regret those things we did not do than those we did do.”

What is it about us that make us reluctant to “choose the open door?” What is it about risk that paralyzes us? It is because we are too comfortable in our rut or that we’ve regretted previous open doors? I recently ran across a list of “20 regrets from people on their deathbeds…” How many of these fall into the category of “looking regretfully upon the closed door?”

1. I wish I’d cared less about what other people think.
2. I wish I had accomplished more.
3. I wish I had told __ how I truly felt.
4. I wish I had stood up for myself more.
5. I wish I had followed my passion in life.
6. I wish our last conversation hadn’t been an argument.
7. I wish I had let my children grow up to be who they wanted to be.
8. I wish I had lived more in the moment.
9. I wish I had worked less.
10. I wish I had traveled more.
11. I wish I had trusted my gut rather than listening to everyone else.
12. I wish I’d taken better care of myself.
13. I wish I’d taken more risks.
14. I wish I’d had more time.
15. I wish I hadn’t worried so much.
16. I wish I’d appreciated ___ more.
17. I wish I’d spent more time with my family.
18. I wish I hadn’t taken myself so seriously.
19. I wish I’d done more for other people.
20. I wish I could have felt happier.

Sometimes it is good to look at these lists and take a personal inventory… how am I doing with these?

That’s it… no more guilt for today. Spend some time on yourself today. Do something fun! And, take someone you care about along for the ride. Choose the open door!

(Note: The song mentioned above is by Restless Heart and can be found at this link… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIytqbCJfZo )

 

 

Well, I had two mole traps set last night with no success. One of the traps is a “never fails” version that my neighbor loaned me. Either I am a terrible mole-hunter OR I have the most intelligent moles in my yard known to mankind!

Yesterday, we started my list of everyday moles that we face in our lives. We talked about dealing with inadequacy, over-commitment, frustration with slow change, exasperation with fast change, and disappointment. Surely, you understand that this is not an exhaustive list. However, between parts 1 and 2, this list of 10 “moles” reflects challenges that many of us face either now or we may in the future. Let’s look at the remaining “moles” on today’s list:

1. Haunting by past events (or regret) – Many individuals can never overcome issues from their past. Regret for past choices is the most common reason for these issues. I think we all have things in our past that we might have done differently if we could have a re-do. However, we can’t. No matter how much we wish it, we cannot go back. Moving forward is the only real choice we have. Realizing that there are others depending on us and that we might be adding new regrets unless we move forward should help propel us out of the past. The best way to overcome past regrets is to create future “best days.” By being intentional about our future opportunities, we can refocus our energies away from those anchors holding us back.
2. Fear of the future – “Ah, I’m in a rut and I like it! I hope to never have to climb out of here.” Have you ever encountered someone so fearful of the future that they try to hide in the present (or, in their past)? No one really knows what the future holds, but I do know that I would have missed out on so very much had I not been willing to climb out of my own rut and take some risks in my own life.
3. Unfair treatment – “Life is not fair!” We need to all know this and embrace it. That doesn’t make us happier when we are on the rough end of unfair. However, allowing things we cannot control to dominate our lives is really unfair to ourselves… and those around us. Set it aside and focus on what you can control!
4. Extreme cynicism (or distrust) – I’m sure we have all worked with individuals that had become so distrustful of others or the company that they became extremely cynical. This can hinder us and those around us, if we cannot control it. When we get to the point that we cannot trust, it becomes challenging to be positive or encourage each other. We need to guard against this level of cynicism by preventing it. Don’t allow yourself to go there. And, if you find yourself there now, work together with someone else to turn your view elsewhere.
5. Discouragement (that feeling that you just don’t care anymore) – There is an epidemic of discouragement in our society today. There is so much negative that it is difficult to see your way to the positive. In many cases, you become discouraged because of the company you keep. It might be time to surround yourself with individuals that have a more positive viewpoint. Another way out of discouragement is to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Find out what you are passionate about and immerse yourself in that. Or, find a way to serve someone else. There is no better way, in my opinion, to snap yourself out of a discouraging moment than to help someone else that cannot help themselves. When you pour your life into another, you somehow forget the negatives that you thought were so important.

 

Moles are destructive. But, they can be eliminated. Taking the steps needed to eradicate our own moles can make us more productive, more positive, and more useful to others. And, it always results in a more self-fulfilled, happier person. This might be a good time to identify the moles in your life and take specific steps to eliminate them.

Thanks for all you do for others. Have a splendid, mole-free day!

Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States.  Those in other countries celebrate similar days throughout the year.  So, today, we repeat an edition from The Porch from last Memorial Day as we pay tribute to our veterans – those that willingly served to keep us free.  I often think that if I could rewind my life, I would likely take a turn and serve in the armed forces for a period of time. I love my country so much that I wish I had repaid some of the debt I owe by serving. But, I didn’t… Nonetheless, I want to thank those that have served or that supported other family members that did.

To highlight the plight of many of these veterans, we take a look at the story of Joe, a veteran of the Viet Nam war era.

 

Joe’s Story

I’ve known Joe for quite a long time.  He is most often, these days, found sitting outside the coffee shop down the street from where I live.  Joe is unemployed, homeless, and depends upon the generosity of others for the basic needs of his life.  Joe grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois.  He was a good student, was well liked, and, according to his parents and teachers, had a bright future.  Joe was a good athlete and his favorite memories are playing baseball and basketball for his hometown high school.  Joe often thought he would go to college and become a teacher.

However, the military had other plans for Joe.  He grew up when the military draft lottery was still in place.  In those days, every date all year was placed in a bin and someone from the draft board pulled out the dates one-by-one until all were pulled.  Then, for every 18 year old male in the US, a draft into military service was held, starting with the first date drawn, until enough new soldiers were entered into the military.  Typically, 18 year olds with birthdates in the top 150 or so knew they would be drafted.  Birthdates drawn above that were fairly safe in that they would not be drafted.  In 1968 when Joe turned 18, his birthdate draft number was 38.  Thus, he was drafted into the Army.

In 1968, the War in Viet Nam was still going strong.  So, Joe found himself heading to the Far East on his 19^th birthday.  Joe had never been beyond Missouri in his entire life, so the trip to South Viet Nam was both exciting and dreadful.  But, he served the best he could.  In his 8^th month in Viet Nam, Joe was on patrol with his best friend when they stepped on a land mine along the road.  Joe’s friend Bobby died instantly.  Joe was badly damaged and required 4 surgeries to regain his ability to walk and the use of his arm.  He was honorably discharged in 1970.

Joe spent the next 40 years hopping from one job to another.  He tried college for one semester, but just could not concentrate long enough to stay in class.  His war injuries kept him from many jobs that he knew he could do.  He had no significant skills, so he ended up working at whatever menial job he could find.  He became homeless in 2006.  By then, he had been hooked on drugs originally intended to alleviate his pain.  Most of his family had died or he had last track of them.  He never married.  For the last ten years, Joe ate leftover food from dumpsters, begged for coffee money, and slept wherever he could remain dry and relatively warm.

Growing up, Joe never intended to end up on the street.  He had the greatest of intentions.  He was glad to serve his country, but a part of him died that day Bobby died.  He has remained a patriot all these years, but he feels he let himself and his family down because he was never quite able to fully shake the injuries – mental and physical – he incurred in Viet Nam.  He is sad that he has never met his nephews.  And, he is sadder yet that they probably would be embarrassed to even say they were related to him. 

By the way, my name is Joe and I might live just down the street from you.  If you get a chance, please give me a hand.  And, please don’t think harshly of me.  I did the best I could.  I just wish I could have done more.

 

Joe is a veteran that sacrificed much to heed the call to serve his country.  And, his story is not so unusual.  Many, perhaps most, of our veterans returned home different than they were when they left to serve.  Many never returned.

I am honored to be the son of a World War II veteran, the grandson of a World War I veteran, the uncle to a current Army Colonel, and to have several brothers-in-law that served during the Viet Nam War time.  None of these men talked about their time at war much.  However, they each served proudly and with honor.  Today, my hat is off and I extend my most sincere thanks and honor to all of you that either served or had family members that served in the armed forces.  You have sacrificed much and we pay tribute to you today.  Thanks!

Please, find a veteran today and tell them thanks.  We owe them our freedom and the way of life we enjoy so much.

 

 

Have you been there?  You work on your yard all year. You began early in spring with the application of fertilizer, weed killer, and grub worm preventer. You carefully tune your mower to the perfect height. You meticulously care for your yard by adding water, when needed, cutting at just the right time, and searching for those pesky weeds that you immediately eliminate. Now comes fall, that time of year when all your hard work should pay off. October and November should be the most beautiful times of the year for your lawn. Then, then come! Moles! Those tiny rodents that delight in creating underground furrows in your yard. It is amazing how much damage they can do in just one night!

Eliminating moles is an entire science. Courses are taught. You can actually become a certified mole eradication expert. Some believe you must use traps to catch and remove the moles. Others try smoking them out with smoke bombs. Still others swear that you can drive them out using water to flood their furrows. Hardware stores have entire aisles of poisons, deterrents, and gizmos to catch, scare, or fool the moles. In my experience, these tactics might produce sporadic success, but eventually, the moles just leave. In their wake, you experience all-winter anxiety planning ways to restore your now chopped up lawn.

Moles don’t really cause major, permanent damage. But, they irritate and frustrate those that care for their lawns. They are pests, but their damage is not fatal. Life and work can offer their own versions of “moles.” So, today, we look at a few examples and talk about how we might approach their eradication from our own lives. Here are a few “moles” that come to my mind and that we all likely face from time-to-time:

1. Feelings of inadequacy (the Doofus Syndrome) – Once in a while, most people get into a cycle when nothing seems to go right. You start feeling like you are jinxed. Your washer dies, then you lose your keys, then you have a fender-bender. You start feeling like you are just incapable of doing anything right. Well, the remedy to this is to know that everything runs in cycles. When things go bad, it seems to hit you more than when things are going well. However, we all also have cycles when it seems that everything is going very well. We just focus more on the bad, than the good. C. S. Lewis once said, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” We are not Doofuses. Yes, things might happen, but we have all benefited from the experience we gain from those hardships, even the small ones, that come our way.
2. Over commitment (or fatigue) – Yes, we have all been there. We have so many things on our plate that we become so tired that we have difficulty even getting undressed for bed. My wife kids me that I often have to take a nap to have enough energy to make it to the bedroom at night. Most people say “yes” too often. We hate to say “no.” Then, as a result, we rarely have any meaningful down time to recharge our batteries. The best ways to overcome fatigue are: a) begin saying “no” and making time for yourself, b) put our phones and tablets down and get more sleep, and c) delegate – allow or motivate someone else to take some of the burden we currently carry. Of course, these are easier said than done. However, it is important, for our own good, that we do so.
3. Frustration that change happens too slowly (impatience) – I have noticed a trend over the last few years of greater impatience. I think some of this might be due to our immediate gratification society. For example, I used to be able to tell my wife almost any “fact” and she believed me. However, now that she has a smartphone with unlimited information at her fingertips immediately, I find that she has become a “fact-checker.” She challenges my claims and I must now be a bit more careful about what I say. This immediate gratification society makes us all more impatient for things to happen. When they don’t, we become frustrated and, potentially worse, cynical or distrustful. Being able to take a few steps back will help keep things in perspective. Realizing that we are running a marathon, not a sprint, can help with that. Sure, I know… easier said than done. But, we need to begin developing the habit of patience. It won’t come simply because we will it. We need to practice and nurture this habit. By becoming aware that things don’t happen quickly and forcing ourselves to generate patience, we might eventually become more so.
4. Exasperation that change is happening too fast (you can’t keep up) – Of course, equally “molish” is that change is happening too fast. We feel that we are behind everyone else. Technology is passing us by faster than we can learn it. Or, we can never master one thing before it is replaced with something else. This mole can also drive us to frustration, fatigue, or that helpless/hopeless feeling. Our ability to keep up is often related to how we prioritize the change. Trying to become an expert in everything will leave us fatigued. Determining what is essential versus what is nice can help us avoid overload.
5. Disappointment (things aren’t turning out like you had hoped) – I have talked to numerous individuals that simply feel their lives are disappointing. The plans they made just didn’t work out. Others made decisions that we urged against. Situations out of our control impacted our lives in negative ways. Disappointment can weigh an individual down. What I have found when I begin falling into this “mole hole” is to focus instead on the blessing I do have. I consider all those positive things in my life and what ways my life is better than I could have imagined. Shifting our focus from those things that disappoint to those that bless can often help you regain your perspective.

 

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross once said:

“When we face the worst that can happen in any situation, we grow. When circumstances are at their worst, we can find our best.”

When we look at challenging situations – face them and learn from them – we become better equipped for the challenges we face in the future. Victory over moles often comes simply because of persistence. In the same way, victory over our own life-moles may come just because we kept fighting and wore down the situation. I realize that there is nothing new here… no new answers have been provided. However, it is often good just to realize that what you face is common to many individuals all around you. Keep fighting!

Have a victorious day! I hope it is a tremendous one for you.

Early in the morning, I often think, “If I could do anything in the world today, what would it be?” Sometimes, my thoughts take me to the beach in Mexico my wife and I annually visit. Sometimes, I’m building a campfire in the back yard with my grandchildren on a perfect fall day. Still other days, my wife and I are driving along Big Sur along the Pacific Ocean in California on the way for me to play golf at Pebble Beach. To be truthful, when I am in one of those “what would I do” zones, I’m rarely thinking of the workplace.

However, I ran across a quote recently by Mary Edgar. Mary Edgar’s life was devoted to working with girls and camping through many local, provincial and national organizations. She was the author of many books, plays and hymns. In this quote, Edgar captures so many things that would encompass a great day that I felt it needed to be shared with you. Here is the quote:

 

“I will follow the upward road today; I will keep my face to the light. I will think high thoughts as I go my way; I will do what I know is right. I will look for the flowers by the side of the road; I will laugh and love and be strong. I will try to lighten another’s load this day as I fare along.” – Mary S. Edgar

 

In just a few words, she captures: a positive attitude, a favorable outlook; honorable actions, pure motives, doing what is right. She stops to smell the roses and has time to laugh and love. She desires to be strong and, finally, she wants to make the day better for someone else. Doesn’t that describe a great day! Wouldn’t you love for every day to be just like that?

Do you know that when you start your day thinking that each new day is a blessing, it changes your entire approach to the day? When each new day holds endless possibilities, a fresh start, and adventure – you start to think that you can literally do anything! When you begin your day this way, you begin as a warrior, as a victor, and a champion. Sure, the day can bring challenges and disappointments, but starting the day as a champion helps you to walk a little taller and with a brighter spirit than if you begin the day already defeated.

I have written this quote on my phone and plan to re-read it often. I hope to allow this to motivate me as I start each new day in the future. Could this help you, as well?

Have a wonderful day today! Look for those flowers along the side of the way, as you go. And, let some act of kindness make a difference to someone else.

Everywhere you turn and everywhere you look, someone is telling us how important it is to have employee engagement. Employee engagement, or simply, enthusiastic participation, is considered a key indicator of cultural health. Many studies have also shown a direct relationship between employee engagement and company success. So, if it is so important, how do we do it? How can we get it right? What is it so hard? Well, the answer might just lie in what we see in the video linked below. A colleague recently shared this link and it is well worth 2 minutes of your time:

http://www.tanveernaseer.com/vending-machine-teach-employee-engagement/?U=1_HQ8L_FCVZP

So, you see, employee engagement isn’t really that hard. This video concludes that if you do these two things, you will see immediate results:

 

1. Offer something unexpected – The students in the video were in their rut. Nothing new, same old routine. Yet, everything changed when they got someone unexpected! It changed the entire mood and environment in the room. How can we generate that same feeling? What can we do to offer the unexpected? In the workplace, unexpected food, unexpected entertainment, unexpected time away… these are all ways to “shake things up.” In your family setting, a surprise outing can get everyone engaged when they would have stayed in the routine otherwise. In a marriage, a surprise weekend away is good. Or, sometimes, just a personal note will make a difference. Think about something you can do to shake everyone out of their routine and get a level of engagement you haven’t seen in a while (if ever).
2. Kindness goes a long way – Did you notice how the students in the video immediately began sharing the fun with others? Did you count the “kind acts” that occurred in just this two minute video? How many times did one person do something kind for someone else? There is never a time when kindness is inappropriate. And, there is never a time when an act of kindness doesn’t impact someone. Demonstrating kindness to fellow employees can often allow engagement to explode. Kindness often brings an individual out of the rut and back to life. You saw this with the students in the video. What act of kindness can to perform today to help someone else out of their own personal rut?

 

Because it is so important, this very timely! How can you use this simple lesson in employee engagement to make a difference today?

I’m hoping today is one you’ll not soon forget. Have a fantastic, wonderful day full of the unexpected kindnesses of those you love and those that work with you.

 

Scott Pelley is an anchor for CBS News and a correspondent for 60 Minutes, the CBS news program. In a recent interview, Pelley outlined his values in reporting the news, “My values in reporting are very simple; I really sum it up in three words: Is it right, is it fair, is it honest in terms of the gathering of information and the presentation of that information. That’s a very simple rule, but it’s very hard to do.”

What a terrific set of values for every dealing with people! Often, we might struggle knowing how to act, what to say, or what to do in normal, everyday dealings with people. We might be wondering if their motives are correct or if they can be trusted. We might wonder if they seek good or evil for us. We might not know how open we can be or if we should be tentative around them. There might be dozens of thoughts racing through our minds as we meet and interact with those in our circle every day. However, Pelley’s set of values might help us sort through all those confusing possibilities. By deciding upfront our values and what we believe in dealing with others, we no longer have to make decisions on how to interact under the pressure of the moment. If we determine that no matter what, we will treat others right, fairly, and honestly, it takes much of the guesswork out of our behaviors. When we adopt this or a similar set of values toward others, our default should always be to treat them right, fairly, and honestly. No more wondering and no more guessing. We have decided ahead of time how we’ll treat others.

So, what do Pelley’s three values really mean? Here are my thoughts:

• Is it right? – To me, this means simply, “What is the right thing to do? What is the decent or kind thing to do?” We should treat people the way we ourselves want to be treated. This probably means we should be open, welcoming, collaborative, and helpful. We should treat others in a way that we would be unashamed if our spouse, kids, or neighbors witnessed it themselves.
• Is it fair? – To me, this means, “Am I unbiased? Am I open to their thoughts, ideas, and input? Am I treating them equally? Am I giving others opportunities I would appreciate if the table was turned?” Fairness is merely giving everyone an equal chance to be heard, to contribute, and to participate fully.
• Is it honest? – To me, this means, “Can I be trusted? Are my motives pure? Am I truly seeking the best for everyone? Would this person want to deal with me again?” Being honest simply means that we treat others truthfully and without deceit.

Certainly, there are other values that we could adopt when dealing with others, such as kindness, compassion, and encouragement. I think the point is that by defining in advance the values by which you seek to treat others, your dealings will eventually shift toward those values. And, in the process, you will develop better and closer relationships with those with whom you interact.

Have a fabulous day! Do something special for someone else today!

 

So, we have turned the calendar page to November. I am always amazed at how quickly time flies. When November rolls around, it becomes close to that time when families begin talking about who will host Thanksgiving dinner; when everyone will be available to celebrate Christmas; and whether everyone will be available to come home this year. I have heard some of those conversations myself already. These discussions remind me of a

“Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.” – Robin Hobb

This quote is certainly true for me. I grew up in a very small Illinois town. I lived practically my entire early life there and knew almost everyone in town. But, my parents are gone and my siblings all live elsewhere. I have had no family members there for many years. On my last visit, it was a very comfortable, familiar place that I enjoyed seeing. I remember the school building where I attended from K through Grade 12… in one building. I visited the baseball field where I played hundreds of games. The old grocery store building where I bought baseball cards with money I saved from collecting recyclable soft drink bottles is still there. I used to ride my bicycle all over town. I drove by the railroad crossing where two of my basketball teammates and a mother lost their lives and, in many ways, ended my childhood. The house where I grew up looks so small and run down… not at all as I remembered. Despite all the familiarity of that town, it was no longer home to me. And, the reason is clear — I no longer have any family members there.

As you think about your plans for the upcoming holidays, it would be good for you to watch the short video clip linked below. I think it will give you better perspective on family as you think about your upcoming plans. And, it might even spur you to taking some long-overdue action today. Watching this will be well worth the less than two minutes you’ll spend and it might change how you view the upcoming holidays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-0kYhqoRo

Have a wonderful day! It might be the best one you’ve ever had.

 

 

It is a challenge watching television for more than a few minutes without seeing a commercial talking about telephone data packages (fast, better, more, cheaper, etc.). Just a few years ago, we were just hoping that that bulky bag phone we had in our car could even pick up a satellite tower.  We didn’t even know about data.  Lately, I’ve seen a number of offerings for “unlimited data.”  Isn’t it exciting to know that with such a package on our phone, we’d never again have to worry about whether we should save our data or go ahead and look up who was Howard Taft’s vice-presidential running mate.  Or, we would never again be unable to see what the Kardashians are doing today.  Who wouldn’t want unlimited data?

I often think about how much knowledge and oral history we lose when one of our more “senior” colleagues leaves the company. Or, when we lose the last of our Great Aunt’s on our Mother’s side.  When they leave, they take so much with them.  They know what worked in the past and what didn’t.  They know why no one invites Uncle Joe to family events anymore.  They understand that critical manufacturing process better than anyone else ever did.  They know who was in that picture with your Mom at the carnival.  They know so much that goes with them when they are gone.

In a way, when we lose a treasured senior colleague or elder family member, we lose data that can never be retrieved. Some of these great stories are gone forever.  No one else will understand what they did.  And, sadly, we don’t take the time to capture that knowledge before they are gone.  Oh, how I wish that I had recorded with my smart phone “data” the stories about my grandparents or parents from their brothers or sisters before they were gone.  How valuable would the knowledge be from all the Scientific Fellows that have retired the last ten years from our company?

Over the years, I have personally written down many of the stories and events of our family history to preserve them for my children and grandchildren. Perhaps, they will never care to read them, but if they do, they are available.  I am considering taping some of these stories, so they can hear them first-hand someday.

If there are things in your history or in our work history that need captured, there is no better day to begin than today. Why not take some time and write down or record just one story or event per week for a year?  Why not capture personal stories from older family members at family reunions?  I believe that there will come a day when we were glad we did this.  And, what a treasure to leave our future generations?  It is worth a thought… right?

Have a most excellent day! It is possible that this could be a “top ten” day.  Be ready for it!

I was a Boy Scout as a young boy. I remember learning to tie knots, learning to make a safe campfire and cook on it, and how to work as a team. I recall getting merit badges for things like fishing, water conservation, soil conservation, and first aid. But, probably the most important thing I learned during my time as a scout was the value (and satisfaction) of serving others. I saw our leaders give tirelessly to serve the kids in our town. I learned that there were always individuals that need help doing things that they cannot do for themselves. I learned that a good leader was willing to set the example by serving others. In short, we were taught that a person of character, and a leader worth following, sought opportunities to serve others.

Those lessons have proven valuable my entire life. Putting the needs of others first demonstrates the kind of character that makes a positive impact in any situation. And, seeing a leader go above and beyond to serve others first makes me want even more to follow that leader.

Today, we look at three impactful quotes from great individuals whose lives back up their statements. Each of these individuals made an impact on those around them. Look at each of these quotes and see if they are true in your own experience:

• “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” – Albert Schweitzer

• “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” – Charles Hadden Spurgeon

• “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I can say in my own life that one of the things that brings me the most gratification is helping someone else. And, more often than not, when I seek to help someone else, it ends up helping me even more. I can’t count the number of times that working to serve someone else changed my negative attitude to a positive one!

I also think the Spurgeon quote is an important one for all of us. We spend our lives pursuing things, titles, career, investments, or accomplishments, yet, it is the impact we have on others that means the most. When I think of my Grandmother Henson, I don’t think of the things she had, but I think of the ten kids she raised, their love for her, and her dedication to them.   I remember her propping herself on a crutch to cook dinner for guests when she really should have been allowing others to serve her. When I think of her, I think of her character.

So, how about you? Have you seen yet in your life the value of serving others? Are you doing it? As a leader, do you model service to others?

Have a fantastic day! I think there is still a chance that this could be our best day yet!