Oct 6, 2020 | Do The Hard Thing, Grow, Lead, Permission Granted |
Have you noticed
that our world
requires us to
set permissions?
In order for something
to work for us,
we have to
to give it the go ahead
to work with the other
things in our lives
so that it can do for us
what it is supposed to do.
If we don’t set permissions –
the app, the program,
the new high-tech watch
will never work as they
are intended to work.
We, as humans, also
have permissions
that we need to set.
Set your permissions for
what influences you,
who has access to you,
what you will give your energy to, and
how much disrespect is too much.
Set your permissions so
that what is in your life is
working with you,
not against you.
#PermissionGranted
Oct 17, 2019 | Do The Hard Thing, Lead |
When it seems like
joy is hiding,
When it seems
laughter is
A risk you can’t afford.
When you question
whether you can
smile without lying,
don’t forget to breathe.
In
And
Out.
Just be.
It is okay to be angry.
In fact, you should
be mad.
Just don’t sit in it,
instead, let it fuel you.
It’s not wrong to be frustrated,
just don’t let it lead to bitter.
Don’t feel like you need to
pretend you are ‘just fine’.
Our world is far from
‘just fine’.
So probably,
no one can claim that.
And if you can,
well… that’s another post entirely.
Let’s not pretend that
we are okay
and good with things
as they are.
Let’s strive for more.
Let’s demand better.
Let’s pursue
thriving for all.
When it seems like
joy is hiding,
When it seems
laughter is
A risk you can’t afford.
When you question
whether you can
smile without lying,
don’t forget to breathe.
In
And
Out.
I’m here.
Beside you.
Breathing.
In
And
Out.
Take my hand.
Let’s get to work.
#PermissionGranted
Aug 7, 2019 | Community, Do The Hard Thing, Lead, Speak up |
The trees, the dolphins, and
the mountains call to me
and demand to be seen.
I can’t look away.
The bird’s song,
the breeze, tickling the trees,
the way a flower grows
from a teeny seed.
I can’t look away.
I see their creator in them.
His design, his joy,
his creativity is in the magenta flower,
the succulents, the manatee,
the neon tree frog, and the terrapins.
They sing a song over me and
I am compelled to sing with them.
I want to join the chorus.
What are the notes?
I don’t know their song.
What are the words?
How do I join them?
Humanity has a song, too.
I can hear it
when I listen.
The song is constant –
everyone taking a breath
at a different time.
Some scream to be heard.
Some sing into a void
where no one listens.
Some are making their
own stages.
It’s hard to listen to the song because there’s
so much to grieve,
so much hurt
and righteous anger
in the song.
So much so that sometimes I try to silence it.
Headphones on.
Head down.
Just make sure
all is well in my house –
that everyone under my roof
can sing.
But.
My song is the song of humanity.
My voice is meant to be
heard and it is meant to
amplify the song that
others are singing.
I can’t not listen to their song
and there’s no other song
for me to join in on.
I can’t look away.
They demand to be seen.
I can’t look away.
I see their creator in them.
His design, his joy,
his creativity is all
over us all.
My voice must add to
their song of long-awaited,
the-time-is-now
justice.
Otherwise,
I
am
just
noise .
#PermissionGranted
Jul 17, 2019 | Community, Lead, Speak up |
A friend shared that
there are voices in her life
that are discouraging.
She told me that my voice is
an encouragement to her.
I kind of jokingly said,
“I will keep being loud!”
And she replied,
“Yes. Be loud.”
Who needs you to
Be
Loud?
Someone does.
Or a group of people do.
And you know what?
They may not be able to
say to you –
“Yes. Be loud.”
They may not know your name
or where you live.
Your significant other may
not be able to be vulnerable
enough to say what they need
and yet the truth remains –
your voice is needed.
We shouldn’t need a request
in order to speak
into spaces that
need our voice.
We need to be loud
in order to be heard
over the deafening
noise of
discouragement
dysfunction,
racism,
sexism.
The world needs your voice
and my voice.
We’re gonna have to shout.
There are those who routinely
try to silence other voices –
even elected ones –
and say that they have no place
and should have no voice.
We must be louder.
There are voices telling your
friends that they are
insignificant and dispensable.
You must be loud.
Our kids are blasted
with noise –
we must be louder
than the chaos.
Use your voice.
speak up.
Be loud.
Someone needs to
hear from you.
#PermissionGranted
May 8, 2019 | Becoming, Lead |
In honor of Rachel Held Evans. She will continue to lead through her words. For more info, click here and here.
Listen.
Tune your ears to what is
true, noble, right, pure,
lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.
Fill your heart
with wisdom
that is not your own.
Learn.
Sit and be quiet
and allow truth to
seep into the very
core of who you are.
Speak.
Let the words come
up and out from
a heart turned to the light.
Lead.
Take up your space.
Say what no one else is
saying because no one
else is saying it.
Say it because the truth
that is in your blood
can’t be contained.
Advocate.
Take others with you.
Make a way for them
and help them get to
where they are supposed to be.
Go back to listen.
Just keep starting over.
Listen.
Learn.
Speak.
Lead.
Advocate.
Its what each of us is meant for.
#PermissionGranted
What do you need to lean into to learn more about?
What do you need to speak up about?
Who are you advocating for?
