Why do we search for peace?

I believe there is nothing that quiets the mind in the same manner that joy will. In its exuberance, initially, we raise our pulse, quicken our breath and our tone and pitch change to indicate great satisfaction, albeit another octave higher and usually louder. Our movements are likely more grand, and I am convinced that our eyes must surely twinkle. We are more conscious of our manners, and are more apt to step into new directions we might not have considered before. We awaken to more possibility and promise. The peace follows. 

Satisfaction, of course is relative. And it can change to the degree that each passing minute marches by. Which is exactly why it needs to be recognized and acknowledged for where it fits in this moment of life.  Most of all, allow it, I say! Often we neglect satisfaction after working so hard to achieve it. We move on to what is next before fully enjoying our much sought after satisfaction.

Sum of its parts

It fascinates me that of all the strength and power of any of these words, they are all stronger when used together. A cake is more than flour, for a simple illustration. Joy can be as small or large a part as is necessary to create magnificence. We are only few short next steps away from there at almost any given time. How we roll out our joy this week, depends on the other ingredients, in the right proportions. Blend well, to stir up all the ingredients. Do what you love, have faith for God's plan to reveal itself in your life, where peace, love and joy manifest in copious quantities. Or, just do it for the joy of it. Either way, count it as a win! 

Pushing forward or holding back?

This image holds much mystery to me. Fool's errand or heroic gesture perhaps. Or was this me on more than one occasion this past week. Here's some good news: I get to try it all over again. Whew! Nothing holding me back!

Leadership is my main focus, of course. I am highly motivated to perform well. If I can't fix issues, I find someone who can. It helps to be well connected, and that is a part-time job in itself. The business of connection is so rewarding, and accomplishes much, albeit rarely realized. I was blessed this week to see 'too much' in a brief view, and shared that with many. Recognition can be a weighty challenge for those who do things every day that make a difference and humbly think 'it was not that big a deal.' Yes. It was. Yes. It is. 

Eyes wide open.

I have a particular challenge this entire year that requires attention to the smallest of details. I used to think that when you are hammer, everything looks like a nail. I am finding plentiful progress in this challenge to be fleeting. One step forward and two steps back. Wait. Is it that I am simply looking over my shoulder? What an epiphany! Resolving this aids in the progress to push forward. To awaken inside radiates and I feel a child-like happiness. The smallest things have the potential to get the momentum moving. It is the movement. It is the action. When it comes to these blessings, too much or very little are not the point. Blessings should be acknowledged. First things first.  

Who is the most valuable player on the team?


My 'awareness' elevator went to this floor this week.  And when the doors opened, I stepped out into the twilight zone. It was a place I didn't recognize. I had a sense I had been there before, but everything had changed.


I was team focused this week, while I searched for the right combination. The most valuable player concept has always been a mystery to me. I see the team as needing everyone. Each player having a different craft, strength, and personality brings the unmistakable energy and unique flavor to what the team hopes to accomplish. It is each team member's awareness that plays the notes of the tune that is finally heard. The song is always going to be the song. If the words are sweetly sung or only the instruments are played, the end result is the magnification of all efforts and contributions.  Knute Rockne says what I experienced this week best: 

Ships can't sail themselves.

At least not the ones that are able to get the most people from one place to another or get somewhere faster than the competition.  It takes plenty of effort on everyone's part to manage every part of the available resources. The potential for making a wrong decision is as deep as the water being moved across and as vast as the wind in the sails. I manage by acknowledging each element. Being the leader is a job of observance. Course correction, if needed. All of the team members are valuable. I am thankful for all of them.  It is always a challenge to decide which qualifies as a most valuable player. 

On the 'Plenty' platform of Artful Acknowledgment this week, consider Generous Thank You's.

“Thank you for coming into my life and giving me joy, thank you for loving me and receiving my love in return. Thank you for the memories I will cherish forever. But most of all, thank you for showing me that there will come a time when I can eventually let you go. ” 
― Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

Pop quiz: Did you purposefully thank someone this week for some particular thing? (part one) Do you have relationships that will benefit from an unexpected thank you call or note? (part 2) Remember how you felt the last time you got a 'thank you' from someone? (part 3) The only answers that matter are your answers. I ask that perhaps you will, right now, stop what you are doing and put a note in the mail or pick up the phone and risk making someone's day a little brighter! It is important to deliver them N.O.W. (No Opportunity Wasted) Even if it is for something long ago and far way, this simple act packs a big punch each and every time it is sent out.  

The sender always benefits from giving this lasting gift. Everyone wants to be acknowledged. Each relationship is enriched by the contribution. Leave your mark on your legacy with consistent, generous 'Thank You's'. 

When you acknowledge your own wisdom and wonder, you can be truly amazed at what you create.

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” 
― Jess C. Scott, The Intern


I heard many wise words this past week. I heard words that will bring about change in my life. Do you realize you and your words have unbelievable power? Right now, write down something that someone said to you this past week. Not just something you heard someone say. With the most clarity you can manage, what did someone say to you that you will always remember? And did you say something equally as special, profound and memorable to another person? Creation happens when meaningful dialogue occurs. 

These are treasures that people store. They are spirited word-gifts that are unwrapped in the stillness of another time when they can be savored. Do you wonder how your words were spoken when someone told the story of your conversation? Were they represented with the same potential you spoke into them? Is your legacy of wisdom well-represented in the translation?

Did you take a moment to acknowledge yourself this week? Is your awareness of your own wisdom and wonder growing? It is my heart's desire that you did, and it is. 

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength"~

Of all the gifts someone gives me, love always amazes me. It comes from a connection that randomly happens, or so it may seem at the onset. I am learning that it is when I need strength the most, love shows up in abundance. If I allow it to, that is. In times past, I was not always or often in the 'allowing' frame of mind. I continue to learn more about the 'allowances' from my 'awakened' perspective. I love maturity, where love continues to blossom and I continue to strengthen.

~"loving someone deeply gives you courage." 

Boldness and daring have always been part and parcel of my 'love' strengths. When the 'deep love' became obvious, the courage to keep it sacred began to surface and grow in focus. I did not believe it would manifest to this deeper level. Trials obscured the visions of romance and future happiness from time to time. It was when I changed my focus to being the 'someone who is loved' that I could see my strength become the courage to allow being loved. Romance and happiness are shared responses to the strength and courage love requires. Being deeply loved requires love; acknowledged, given and received.

What will you do for someone you love deeply for Valentine's Day this year. Today is a great day to think about it. There is a part of my own heart that is looking to make this a very special day. It falls on Friday this year.  Plan to do something special for yourself, as well as someone you love deeply. Go get some cards today, while the selections are still good. Plan. Prepare. This is where great enjoyment originates. Our fur-buddies count as someone, too. 

Being deeply loved requires love; acknowledged, given and received.

I continued to pursue the multiple dimensions of respect this weekend. My Concordance is leading the way, as we lingered at leadership for a couple of days. Likely, because I live with it every day, I wanted to see if there is wisdom I may, perhaps need, in the current climate and times of the many things I am doing. 

Would you agree that leadership is a boat-load of wisdom and understanding? And with respect as the adhesive that holds it together? 'Respect' could be the the air that dries the clay we have been molded from or the fire of the furnace we are made strong in. It is also in our choices of the leaders we follow, connect with, and glean our wisdom from. 

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears." It's been said many. 

My 'gentle' quest continues this morning. I cannot shake it, which must mean I have much more to learn. My concordance lead me to 2 Timothy this morning, a teacher from long ago. His encouragement to avoid quarrels and foolish debates may be sage advice for me today. I'll take it. 

He also encourages 'gentle instruction'. Respectful teaching delivers a powerful message regardless of the subject matter being taught, often more than one. The words that leave our mouths teach more when the student can identify with what they also see. As in an advertisement for any product we are being encouraged to buy represents, the image is used to connect us to the product. Are the students you are teaching today seeing the image of the words you are using? 

I am thankful for the many teachers that are always available and the ones that I have yet to meet. I hope I am the best teacher that I can be today. I acknowledge the "official teachers who made great sacrifices to teach us all.

Think this may not apply to you? Not the teacher-type? Everyone you encounter today benefits from the wisdom and knowledge that you have been taught or learned from all the people in your life who had any minute influences: Family and friends, classmates and team members, neighbors and clergy, members and associates. We all are teachers. What are the lessons we are teaching today? Who will you be in front of today that will benefit from something you know? And will you gently deliver it? The learning environment changes significantly when gentle listening and hearing are part of the lessons learned. Will you be the student or teacher that presents or acquires something of great value today? Remember the teacher appears when the student is ready.