Browsing Category

Thoughts

Thoughts

10 Things

Every Friday, I will be posting 10 things I’m grateful for. Join along with me by posting your blog link in the comments of your own 10 things or simply comment with what you’re thankful for.

1. Sunshine. I lived many years without central AC. While I am very thankful for it during 100 degree days, I still find myself going outside to bask in the sun for a little warmth.

2. A space to write down my thoughts. Currently I’m writing posts on empowerment. Something I’m super passionate about. I’m not done. More thoughts coming!

3. Change of scenery. Maybe I’ve already posted my gratitude on that. I’ve just felt super grateful for the opportunities we currently have to change our scenery in the midst of social distancing.

4. Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers. A couple of weeks ago, Jeremy made these twice in one week. They’re that good.

5. Learning how to do new things. I’ve had to do this a couple of times recently, and I’ve realized just how much I like the satisfaction of learning how to do something new.

6. Evening walks. It’s probably my favorite time of day to walk. I think it reminds me of Summers spent at my grandmother’s house.

7. Family movie nights. Anyone seen Hamilton yet on Disney+? So great!

8. Options? I do like them, but man. There are SO many choices for electric companies. In South Africa, we had one. My contract with my current provider is ending, so I’m on the hunt for a good plan.

9. Homemade ice cream. That’s EG’s new thing. Man. So good!

10. Fireworks! We saw a fabulous social distanced fireworks show last weekend. My mind drifted to all the years celebrating American Independence Day in South Africa with our dinky fireworks. Such special memories.

What are you thankful for?

Thoughts

Empowerment: Slow Release of Control

In my years of working with people, I’ve seen how the empowerment process involves a slow release of control but not abandonment. In helping people become stronger and more confident, there’s a process of walking with them. It’s not very honoring to have a role, a job, a title dumped in your lap, leaving you to figure it all out. On the contrary, it’s also not honoring to be micro-managed every step of the way. Neither one of those are empowering. Instead, I think it’s kind of like driving a manual. When you’re in first, if you don’t give it any gas or not enough, the car dies. If you give it too much, you lurch forward rather quickly. Neither are pleasant. Instead, you want to maintain a good tension of pressing down on the gas while easing your foot off the clutch. The right tension ensures a great result.

If you want to be empowering, you have to engage the tension and be willing to walk with people and then let go when the time is right.

Thoughts

Empowerment :: You Have To Want It

I originally started this post back in April. Everything in life is a journey, right? Well, from writing this post to empowering others to lead has definitely been a journey of learning and growing.

Several years ago, I realized that I have a passion for empowering leaders. The definition of empowerment is twofold…1. Authority or power given to someone to do something and 2. The process of becoming stronger and more confident. This past year has been marked with an intense journey of learning to empower others to lead as we left South Africa (which by the way, they are doing an incredible job and the process has been nothing short of sweet). I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve also learned so much. The learning process has been so life giving, so I want to take a few posts to share some of my thoughts and learnings. The most important being…

People have to want to be empowered. I’ve worked with many people over the years, and I’ve realized that not everyone wants empowerment. Naturally, we like the label of “leader,” but empowerment isn’t just the glorious title. It involves ownership. Ownership isn’t just taking the credit when something goes well. It also means personally owning when things go badly. That is not easy to do. It’s much easier to blame others which is what happens when ownership isn’t present. Look for those people who want to be empowered and have the courage to own their failures. If you spent your time and energy on trying to empower someone that isn’t interested, you will end up exhausted.

Community Thoughts

Service or Solidarity?

The work we do in the non-profit world can easily be seen as an act of service. However, I’ve been challenged lately to shift my thinking to looking at it as an act of solidarity. Service implies a vertical relationship. Solidarity implies a horizontal, “we’re in this together” kind of relationship. In the spirit of empowerment, solidarity jives much more with me.

Thoughts

10 Things

Every Friday, I will be posting 10 things I’m grateful for. Join along with me by posting your blog link in the comments of your own 10 things or simply comment with what you’re thankful for.

1. Receipts. I’m always telling Jeremy not to throw away receipts. It’s not that I want to tear down trees exactly, but I use them to score points that I redeem for Amazon gift cards. My favorite app for doing this is Fetch. I’m unashamedly going to give you my referral code. It’s 1Y6ND. Use that, and we’ll both get extra points! I’ve used Ibotta as well although I find it’s much more labor intensive than Fetch. If you’re interested in that one, my referral code is owapgev. This isn’t a cheap ploy at financial gain, but I’m guessing some of you are like me in that you get giddy over saving a buck or earning money without much effort.

2. Trips to nowhere that remind you to shake off the disappointment, and go with the flow.

3. An afternoon with my girl. I promised her I wouldn’t post the photo we took in front of the big wooden bear. Not that I need a photo to show we had a good time.

4. Puzzles! I love doing them although Emma G says I have a problem. Once I start one, I can’t stop. I bought this one at a 2nd hand store. I thought it was missing a piece until I found it on the floor all chewed up. Oh, this crazy dog of ours!

5. Rainy afternoons in the mountains. Perfect reading weather.

6. Apple cinnamon oat muffins. When I had to go gluten free last year, it was a bummer, because I love bread and pastries. It’s hard to find good gluten free recipes, but this one is excellent.

7. Finishing a book. Such a great feeling. Now I’m on to the next one… Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.

8. Salvation sauce? We seriously saw this in a store yesterday.

9. Conversation. The end of last week I was feeling pretty heavy from recent events. Conversation with God, my husband, and my kids has done wonders.

10. Law & Order marathons. We have DISH up here in the mountains and it seems like some channel is always airing Law & Order marathons. Love that show.

What are you thankful for?