It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"Life is a journey, not a destination."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I'm diving into some great quotes from some famous authors of the past, and I've had a handful just jump out at me. Take a look at the past 2 quotes HERE, but today, Emersons quote just resonated.
Sometimes I am so focused on goals, plans, being strategic and getting stuff done that I forget that getting the list all checked off isn't always the most important thing. It's important, and I will continue to encourage people to "get stuff done", however when I only focus on my lists, I have the tendency to forget about what is going on around me. I'm so focused on getting the tasks done, that I miss opportunity for conversation, for deeper relationship and for enjoying where I'm at.
The quote reminds us that there is a balance between DOING and BEING, between CONTROLLING and LETTING GO, between PEACE and PURSUIT.
If you're like me, you miss some of the most important things.
Remember, it's a JOURNEY and the destination is important, but it's not the only thing.
Think about some of the things you might be missing because you're so focused on GETTING THERE that you're missing the experience of the JOURNEY?
DEEPER STILL:
The past 5 weeks of my life have been a blur. Gina and I spent a few days visiting a great organization in Central America, and I came home with some bug that I picked up (that's what happen when you stop traveling internationally... your immune system breaks down).
We came back, and while I didn't feel great, we kind of "coasted" through a couple of weeks of events, board meetings, family celebrations, our 35th wedding anniversary, friends visiting and a heavy week of Barnabas work with our Orange County Summit.
Because I wasn't feeling well, I didn't get to enjoy much of any of it. I floated from one event to the next, took naps when I could, lost about 18 pounds (the only positive side effect in all of this), and just wanted to feel better.
Finally this past week, I was diagnosed correctly and put on some strong medication that seems to be working. I feel better, I have more energy, and I'm actually excited about tomorrow. I don't want to miss any more.
Today was the culmination of these weeks as we were able to celebrate the birth of our first grandchild, born this morning... healthy, beautiful and ready for life after spending the last 39 weeks stuck on the inside.
As I held him today, this quote makes sense... it's a journey.
I don't want to live in a fog, which is how I've been living for the past 4 1/2 weeks. I don't want to miss a thing (Sing it Aerosmith!) It's a new day, a new season, with new life and renewed purpose.
Are you living in a fog today? Are you missing out on the things that are happening around you every moment of every day? Life is a journey, embrace that today!
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I enjoyed reading this fiction book from David Baldacci, Dream Town. I was fun to get a glimpse of Los Angeles in the 50's.
Last week, I had to intentionally work on my "inward focus". A couple of things really help me find that alignment. One is the SPACE podcast from Harbor Ministries, which I've mentioned many times, and the second comes from John Eldredge with his PAUSE APP. Both are really simple, but point me back to my Father in tangible & timely ways.
I really enjoyed this 20-minute video from John Mayer as he heads into a studio to write, record and produce the song, In Repair. Incredible musicians making great music. HERE
I have to give a shout out to Aerosmith, after the quote above! Check out their Essential Album
OK, one of the greatest gifts given to our grandson at a recent baby shower was the classic "Ecuador Inspired Soccer Baby Jersey Bodysuit". Team Goodman for the WIN. Thanks Dawn & Jerry. I just need a matching one for me!