If I had a quarter for every time I failed I’d probably own my own island somewhere off the coast of St Maarten, where I’d spend my days fishing, reading, and of course, listening to Dolly Parton. It hasn’t made me rich, but I’ve learned a lot from every failed experience.
The only way, in my opinion, to do failure right, is by walking away with a memorable experience you can learn from.
Jon Gordon, author of The Carpenter, says this about failure:
Failure often serves as a defining moment, a crossroads on the journey of your life. It gives you a test designed to measure your courage, perseverance, commitment, and dedication.
Depression sucks. Suicide, even worse. Just typing the words stirs a sadness in my heart that makes me want to write about anything but this.
Throughout the last week, I’ve listened to many discussions and read several social media posts and blogs about the tragedy of Robin Williams’ death. But I haven’t said much. I simply haven’t had much to say.
The news took me back to the day the world lost another comedic genius, Chris Farley. I sat in my high school art class and grieved his loss with my classmate, Robbie.
Today, I mourn again. I don’t know why a man who could bring tears of laughter to your eyes in seconds, decided to take his life. What I do know, however, is I can relate to the desire to want to do the same. (more…)
Isn’t it amazing that we can all see the same thing, yet see something differently at the same time? That’s exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago.
I was touring through the Celebrity Car Museum in Branson with my little cousin, Caleb. There was the Batmobile, a motorcyle driven by Elvis, and of course, the 1976 Pacer driven by Wayne and Garth in Wayne’s World.
We turned the corner and there sat the black limousine Jackie Kennedy and her children rode in the day of John F. Kennedy’s funeral. I read the placard, then walked on. (more…)
Have you ever been given too much change and tried rationalizing why you should keep it? Ya, me too.
Can you imagine being a pastor and someone from your congregation testing you on your honesty? I share the full story in the video below.
The world is watching us. They’re waiting to see if we line up with who we say we are. This is a key lesson for me, because I realize as I continue to teach others about weight loss, getting healthy, taking the next right step, and more, people are wondering if my words are lining up with my actions.
It’s allowing me to be more vulnerable, and it’s so freeing.
Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be real in my struggles, yet continuing to teach you.
Here’s to vulnerability!
[reminder]Where do you feel free to be vulnerable with others? [/reminder]
In his new book, The Carpenter,Jon Gordon takes each reader on a journey with J. Emmanuel, a simple carpenter, full of wisdom, and Michael, an overworked husband and father, trying to balance life and failing miserably. (more…)
Do you feel like you’re going in 15 different directions at one time and you’re not sure which one is the right way? If not, I’ll be honest and tell you that’s how I feel lately.
I find God’s timing quite funny. I was asked to speak at a women’s retreat that’s coming up in a few weeks. The topic is Priorities. I thought to myself, This should be simple. I’ll tell them how important priorities are, give them a few bullet points on what to do and what not to do, and their lives will be changed forever.
