Meaningful Mondays - Arrows Out

Put the You in Thank You

Gratitude, in its truest form, goes beyond a simple thank you. It is not merely a transactional acknowledgment.

How do you shift from a self-centered appreciation to a "you" - centered acknowledgment?

Let's challenge ourselves to truly see the person behind each act of kindness. When we put the "you" in "thank you" we do more than express gratitude; we create a current of appreciation that flows through our lives, nurturing everything it touches.

”The Self-made Man.” We Are All Sculptors - Ask ”How can I become a better sculpture?

Choices are difference-makers.

The choices we make not only influence our future but also affect the futures of those we love and serve. What are the four R's of the best choice-makers?

What are the three questions you can ask yourself every day that will guarantee you will be a better choice-maker and consequently have better results? You are always free to make your own choices. But you are not free to choose the consequences of what choice you have chosen.

"Your voice matters; your silence condones."
- Lee M Brower

"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
- Haile Salassie

Can I tell you about Teddy? Teddy matters!

"I believe the first test of a truly great man or woman is their humility. I do not mean, by humility, doubt of their own power... All great leaders have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them- but through them... And they see something Divine and God-made in every other person they meet, and are endlessly, selflessly, and incredibly giving."
- Lee Brower

Four Truths and Two Words

1. Happiness is not the absence of problems. It is the ability to deal with them.
2. Don't let yesterday hold tomorrow hostage. Everything you have done informs everything you do. Wisdom comes only from the past.
3. Don't believe you are stressed because you are doing too much. You are stressed because you are not doing those things that help you feel most alive.
4. "Lead without Finish Lines"; embrace accomplishments and failures as milestones.

And the two words that just might have saved Steve Howe's life are (...___________...)

Lessons from an UBER Driver

Our only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
— Marianne Williamson.

"Adaptability is the key to unlocking our full potential; it's about being like a river—flexible, open to new ideas, and always in flow."

Protecting our most Precious Assets

"You are the CEO of your own life, start making executive decisions today."

"Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be."
— David Bly

"Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives."
— Steven Spielberg

"The first step to getting what you want is having the courage to get rid of what you don't."

Stop it!! 4 Things you must stop doing NOW!

We are witnessing an ever-greater movement toward polarity. The middle-ground options are being removed from us. Don't let it happen to you.

Choices must be made. Not making a choice is a choice.

Do not be seduced by the Four P’s of False Happiness: Popularity, Possessions, Power, and Pleasures.

To go, you must first STOP four boulders that are in your way of authentic leadership: 1.

1. Stop regretting your past.
2. Stop fretting about your future.
3. Stop looking for happiness in the 4 P's of False Happiness.
4. Stop underestimating your immense inner strengths.

Chased by a Flight Attendant - the everlasting impact of a single act of kindness.

"Every act of kindness, no matter how small, creates a ripple that spawns endless waves."
 - Lee Brower

What do you think the flight attendant values most? She puts others above even her own needs - or better said - comfort. Her selfless act embodies the essence of what we refer to as an "Arrows Out" mindset.

I like this quote by Princess Diana: "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."

A Meaningful Gift from us for you.

Yes, we are passing the torch, after 16 consecutive annual WACKY charitable softball tournaments filled with love and hope. Over those years thousands of young softball girls have played in the tournament, and each team is assigned a cancer Cutie (a young boy or girl living with cancer- which may include those that become angels). These girls love on those Cuties... they play their hearts out and often stay in touch year-round.

A quote was shared at a banquet we held before the tournament and so many have asked for a copy. We share that quote with you:

"This is what passes for hope: Those we have lost invoke in us feelings of love that we didn't know we were capable of. These permanent changes are their legacies, their gifts to us. It is our task to transfer that love to those who still need us. In this way, we remain faithful to their memories."
- Gordon Livingston, MD Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

The Flow of Our Lives

The average adult makes 35,000 choices a day.

Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living."

What are the 5 keys to better choice-making? Can you "kidify" those keys to help your "kids" become better choice-makers?

1. "Decide" where you are going. Reduce your options. Will this choice move me closer or farther away from my decision?
2. Make "Gratitude" your companion. A grateful heart brings clarity, filtering distractions and magnifying purpose.
3. Adust- reflect and review. Regularly review your choices. Are they in line with your decisions and aspirations? Adjust if necessary.
4. Seek Wisdom- From God, family, friends, and mentors. Gathering perspectives can help guide your choices.
5. Action over Perfection. Perfection is elusive. Prioritize action. Remember, it's the flow of choices that moves us forward. Be the River, not the pond.