Last week, I enjoyed watching portions of the opening of President Obama’s Presidential library.  Of course, Michelle Obama was the epitome of dignity, class, style, and intellect as she gave beautiful remarks in tribute to her husband.

The entertainment was top-notch with appearances by Bono and the Edge, Common and John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Hudson, and, of course, Stevie Wonder.

Milli Vanilli and Vanilla Ice were probably too booked to attend.

 

I’m so glad trouble don’t last always

Anyway, as I watched our four living (real) Presidents and First Ladies, I was reminded of an old song we sang in church, “I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always.”

Seeing the four living (real) Presidents and First Ladies made me realize that the last ten years have been an anomaly and what happens during eras of transition. Right now, the United States is transitioning from the old guard that has held us back from progress to a new path forward. We saw glimpses of this during the Obama administration, which is why those who fear change fought so hard to bring us back to whatever this is we are currently living through.

Watching the opening of President Obama’s library was a reminder that in every life and in every era, there are peaks, valleys, and sometimes there are really low points that test the ability to hope and believe in a better future.  Seeing Americans of all kinds sing, dance, and be inspired by our former leaders reminded me that even during dark times, we must not give up our ability to hope and believe that change is possible.

Finding Joy in the Snow

I’m transparent about being in a season of transition that I call “The Void.”  I know I’ve outgrown my old life, and I am moving toward my new life. I’ve been adamant that I am going to continue living while in the void. I am going to continue to find joy and opportunity while in the void.

“If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.”

I read this phrase last week, and the truth is that there will always be problems, and if you can’t find joy in the midst of your problems. You’ll still have all the problems and none of the joy.

Even though I am not where I want to be right now, I am finding joy in some of my new hobbies, including my summer creative writing class! The class is called “The Craft of Reading.” The goal is to learn to read from a writer’s perspective. We also write our own piece, which we will workshop in class.

Guess who has to go the first week?

I’m nervous but excited to learn how to improve my writing, and I am glad to stretch my brain creatively. It aligns with one of my declarations this month that I will be flooded with creativity. The group is larger than I thought it would be. I love that there are several men in the class and several older adults. It’s always inspiring to see older adults who are continuing to learn and grow.

 Philosopher and author Richard David Precht says learning with enjoyment are two secrets to a fulfilling life:

“Learning and enjoyment are the secrets to a fulfilled life. Learning without enjoyment wears you down, enjoyment without learning dulls you.”

We cannot be passive about learning and enjoyment. We have to be intentional and seek out opportunities to remain vibrant and engaged with life. I’m nervous about sharing my writing with others and receiving feedback, but how else will I improve and advance my own story?

 Living in Gratitude

I heard someone recently say that ten years of stagnation can be wiped out in six months by locking in and staying focused. Before dismissing that statement as more motivational mumbo jumbo, there is much truth in those words.

Seasons of setbacks, challenges, and humbling experiences can lead to exponential growth. It may seem like someone skyrocketed to success overnight, but it was really years of focus, grit, and resilience built during hard times that catapulted them to the next level so quickly. I have heard countless stories from people who experienced failure but kept plugging away for years before they were “discovered” and never looked back.

On the flip side, I’ve also heard stories of those who were unprepared for their sudden rise and came crashing back down because they lacked the focus, grit, and resilience to sustain their success.

At this moment, I am living in gratitude because there were many ways I could have shipwrecked my life and other people’s lives, but by God’s grace that didn’t happen.

I’m also living in gratitude because I endured a season of humbling. I think being humbled is one of the biggest gifts that we can receive. Learning from a humbling season is where true humility, compassion, and the growth mindset develop alongside grit, resilience, confidence, and self-awareness.

I also believe that if you’re not humbled, you may be destroyed or remain stuck because of your own pride, self-righteousness, and inability to grow. Every great person I know has endured a season of humbling.

Week 3 of Prep Season

It’s Week 3 of Prep Season for the Fall Acceleration, and I love it because prep exemplifies that we don’t stop living during prep season. The preparation is the living and what takes us to the next level!

Every four weeks, I will turn up the heat just a little bit more. These first four weeks are just to get the ball rolling!

Prep Season Disciplines

  • Get my steps up: 8-10K steps weekly average
  • Core Challenge: 12 Core Workouts per month
  • Meal Planning: Write out Meals on the calendar
  • Internalize Affirmations: Write them out, record them, listen to them daily
  • Job Interview Practice: I am back to assembling questions, answering them, and practicing