Category: Theme Thursday

A Year of Intentional Happiness

By Heidi Finley

This past year has been a hard one for a lot of people, filled with political turmoil and personal tragedies that seemed to just keep piling on top of one another. The emotional weight has been heavy, and bright spots have seemed fewer and further between than usual.

Fortunately, the beginning of a new year is upon us, providing a point to renew and refresh our mindsets. I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions, but I’m making a point to intentionally focus on finding more occasions for happiness and forging a better 2017.

I’m a planner. And a list maker. So naturally, the keys to success for me involve charting a course, step by step.

Step 1: Identifying happiness triggers

We can’t all run to the beach or retreat into a cabin in the woods every time we need a happiness bump. Although plotting out that kind of respite is definitely welcome when you can swing it. Once you consciously recognize a few things that have the potential to spread moments of happy through your days, it sure helps.

Here’s a few of mine: Catching up with friends through meeting up, calling or even via email — I’ll take what I can get these days. Taking a nap. Reading a good book. Savoring a tasty margarita and tearing into a delicious plate of food. Kicking back to enjoy a few hours with no errands to run or events to attend. Filling the house with music and letting the kids dance it out. Watching a rerun of the Golden Girls.

A fruit and cheese lunch is happiness on a plate.

Step 2: Planning for obstacles.

We all know to expect the unexpected. Terrible things will happen. Illness. Cash crunches. General suckiness. When something comes up, find ways to regroup instead of letting the situation keep you down for too long. Take time to grieve when you need it. But also let go of extra guilt about whatever you’re not doing that you feel you should be. After awhile find ways to move forward in small steps. And let people who care know when you’re feeling crappy. There are people who love you and want to help.

Also, manage your external stressors as best as you can. We all know people who bear down on us with negativity, heavy demands or a love for arguing. Just take a step back. Say, “No thanks, I’m busy,” once in awhile. Let things go! Preserve your sanity by knowing your limits. Plan downtime for yourself when needed and schedule it in, just like you would any other event.

Step 3. Taking action to move forward.

Make a realistic list of things you want to do over the course of the year and put some dates down on the calendar, even if you know you may have to bump them around a bit. Give yourself something to look forward to!

A beach trip is high on my happy list.

In the meantime, do what’s reasonable. Even if you’re short on time, reach out to a good friend via text. No money for a grand vacation you’ve been dying for? Have an international night at home. Be adventurous and try something new! Take joy in the smaller pleasures of life. Go out of your way to be kind to others and let them know you’re thinking of them, and hopefully some of that will bounce back to you.

Remember, you’re ultimately responsible for your own emotions. No one else has the power to create your happiness, except for you. So go for it!

Heidi is a former Arkansas Democrat-Gazette news editor who recently relocated to the South Carolina side of suburban Charlotte, N.C., and now writes at fortmillfamily.com. She’s a mom to three girls who loves hot chocolate breaks, curling up with a good book and spends way too much time on social media.

2017 A Year to Give to Yourself

by Connie Ash

As 2016 comes to an end and planning for 2017 begins, you may find yourself stressed and with nothing left to give. As women, we often feel the need to give one-hundred percent of what we have to others or to causes that are meaningful to us.
Being a giver should bring us joy, but instead, we often feel stress. Acute stress comes in the form of physical and mental symptoms, like fatigue, irritability, anxiety and tension, depression, headaches, shortness of breath, insomnia, disorganization and short-term memory problems.

So what do we do when we feel like we need to give more, but stress is making it impossible. Some of us will buy self-help books, sign up for a time management course, buy a planner or set up an online calendar so we can better manage our time. Others may develop unhealthy habits, like over-eating, quitting an exercise plan, or cutting back on sleep.

So, let’s make 2017 a year of giving to ourselves. Here are a few simple, practical ways to give yourself the best possible chance a living a good life:

1. Make time for you – Fill Your Whole Tank: Look at your life in a systematic way — consider the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. When these four components are in harmony, you will find a peace and energy. Ask yourself what you are doing daily to nurture these four aspects of your life. If one is being neglected, look at ways to concentrate on it. This will help you to stay focused and intentional about what you are doing personally and professionally.
duck-hunting_2014

2. Cultivate an attitude of acceptance – Be Intentional about Having Healthy Disruptions in Your Life: Take periodic breaks from your daily routines at work and at home. Read a magazine at lunchtime instead of working at your desk or run on your home treadmill while you watch the sunrise instead of racing to the gym! This kind of “change of pace” will actually increase your energy and renew your spirit.
sunrise

3. Establish Your Boundaries and Communicate Them: Remember that you are the one making changes in how you prioritize your activities and live your life. No one else will set those important boundaries for you. It is ok to say no. Tell everyone – you are giving yourself the best 2017 possible.
happy-new-year-2017

Connie is a 50-something wife, mother, Nana, doggie mom, vegetarian, living in the small community of Blytheville, AR. located in the far Northeast corner of the State. She shares a home with her husband aka The Big Man, 14 rescue dogs and 7 chickens. Collectively they have six adult near-perfect children and five perfect grandboys, 1 sweet granddaughter, 2 god-daughters and 5 awesome granddogs.  Connie is a family nurse practitioner who runs a small clinic and manages a free health clinic (Great River Charitable Clinic). She and the Big Man also own and operate Bed and Biscuit Boarding. Connie is an active member of the Blytheville Humane Society. Her Blog http://scrapbookwife.blogspot.com/ chronicles her journey to live a balance simple life making her little corner of the world a better place to live.

Giving

by Brenda McClain

J.O.Y. was engraved on a pendant received upon high school graduation; and on the back was  –  Jesus; Others: Yourself. Thanks to a fire, the pendant is long-gone.The message? With me to this day.

It’s my hope the meaning of the message has grown with me as I’ve matured as a Christian and a human being.

How do we Give? Do we give for the right reasons?  

A friend once queried another friend upon bailing someone out of home foreclosure the third time with nary a Thank you, “Have you ever thought you are interfering with God’s plan?”

Why do we give? To support one another?  Or assuage our own egos?  Sometimes it’s a hard call.

Matthew 6:2, KJV: Jesus says, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

He doesn’t say IF you give, but When you give. Not Giving is never an option.  

This season always reminds how wonderful it is that I am surrounded by silent givers.

Meet a few of my “Giving Heroes”:

GIVE TIME; TALENTS; SHOW YOUR CHILDREN WHAT GIVING MEANS.

Meet the Tim Capps Family of Greenbriar, Arkansas.

 Lorie Capps goes out of her way to help others; and never saying a word about her good deeds, she is always sharing her time and talents to help others. Her husband, Tim, is a Firefighter AND Registered Nurse.

Their oldest son, Corbin is a student at Harding University and Cael is a student at Compass Academy in Conway.

Tim, Lorie and Cael Capps say their goodbyes to Corbin Capps as he leaves for Harding University in Florence, Italy.
Tim, Cael, Lorie and Corbin Capps enjoy an annual pilgrimage to Branson, Mo., to enjoy the lights before Corbin left for Italy.

GIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Ruth Langford of Conway, Arkansas  Ruth, along with friend Jan Cunningham created a puppet ministry and have shared with children at Robinson & Center Church of more than 20 years. Dedicated to Giving.

Ruth and Fred Langford celebrating their 20+ years anniversary recently.

GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TALENTS:  

SHEILA PARSONS, also of Conway has shared her knowledge of Art with Art on the Green students for more than three years.  She also volunteers, has given Art lessons to Southridge Residents for many years.

Sheila Parsons, husband Richard Talley (in Kilt) with their friends from Southridge.

 

Brenda McClain is Gallery Director for Art on the Green, the art vortex for Central Arkansas.  Her blog, brendamcclain.com tells about her life and experiences in the Entertainment  Business as the former CEO for MPR, a Nashville, Tn. based Public Relations agency.

You will usually find her having a morning Starbucks in Art on the Green, reading the headlines on her iPad mini.  She’ll be the one in black and if the sun is shining maybe even wearing sunglasses!  

 

Finding Our Joyful Giving Again

by Keri Bucci

The Christmas season is upon us once again! It is a time of joy, hope, good will towards men and of course giving gifts. Like most children, my favorite part about the holidays was making out my Christmas list and waking up to gifts on Christmas Day.
One of my fondest memories is thinking back to all those Christmas Eve nights when my younger brother and I would sleep in the same room. I use the word “sleep” loosely because we would lay awake most of the night listening for noises in the living room and taking turns guessing what was under the tree. It was all about the presents for us! The thought of not knowing what was in all those boxes was almost too much excitement to beare! It was fun sharing those times with my brother all those years ago. Now I enjoy seeing that same excitement and anticipation in my own little guy!

christmas-tree-edited
It’s a shame that those fun memories and the joy of gifts seem to fade away in the midst of our busy lives. As we grow into adults the practice of giving can turn into something much less magical. We often go from that child like excitement to dread when the thoughts of those strained budgets and crowded stores come dancing into our heads. So much for those sugar plums we read about in stories!

In the past I would spend so much time staying busy with work and rushing around during the season that I would end up frantically searching for anything that was left on the shelves Christmas week. I think the worst part for me is knowing just how little thought I would put behind any of the names I was checking off my list. Where is the joy or love in that? Shouldn’t I at least think of these people’s needs or desires before just choosing random things off shelves?

Now that I have gotten older I try to remember to slow down and remember the important parts of the holiday season. I still love all the beautiful decorations and the cheesy holiday movies on Hallmark Channel but I also try to focus more time on the spirit behind giving and how it all began. How can we not start with the greatest gift of all. Our precious Lord and Savior born in a manger all those many years ago. Our greatest gift of all time. One that had powerful thought and purpose behind it.
A gift so sacrificially given that it would impact the world and each of our lives for eternity. It was meaningful giving in its truest form. Full of love,kindness, mercy and grace. I am thankful for the gift of Christ and His love for each of us. This gift could never be bought on a mad dash to the store but it was one that would be impossible to top. I long to use that type of love and selfless joy in my personal giving.

table-piece-edited

This year, my husband and I have decided that we want to enjoy Christmas and it’s true meaning again. To give gifts that will impact and bless those we love instead of giving them things we have rushed around to stores to grab. So no more rushed shopping trips or extended budgets! That is a gift we are graciously giving ourselves and those we love. We will be finding the pure joy again this season while finding new ways to bless others. We pray they see our hearts and the love of Christ through us.
I know there are many who shop for Christmas gifts each year and they shop a lot of thought behind each item they give. I applaud them because that is so wonderful. I just wish I had been doing the same all these years. This is long over due for us and I am truly looking forward to finding the joys in giving again.

awb-head-shotKeri is a sassy southern girl who loves cooking, reading and spending time with her family. She is a former corporate minded gal turned homeschool mom. She blogs at My Table for Three. She can be found sharing sugar and gluten free recipes more over on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.

Giving Time

by Jeanetta Darley

time-in-our-hands

Which is more difficult? Giving away your money or giving away your time?

Honestly, I know for me it is very easy to just write a check or drop a few bills a bucket.  It’s easy to empty my loose change purse and feel good that maybe somehow I fell into that “gave all she had” category.  Well, at that time maybe.  Money is tangible.  It can be held and counted (whether is large or small amounts).

But my time in a way seems more precious.  Something I should guard closely.  It’s the one thing we cannot create more of.  There will always only be so many seconds, minutes, hours, days, and so on that we have.  And even that number is unknown.  Why would we willing give away an unrenewable resource?  But often it’s the human connection that makes a bigger impact on the recipient as well as the giver. 

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. “

On Giving by Kahlil Gibran

If we are to truly embrace this season of giving, it seems we need to go further than the hollow sound coins make when they hit the inside of the bell ringer’s plastic red bucket.  Maybe we need to be the one ringing the bell.

You can give of your time is simple ways.  The act of listening, or reading, or walking with someone during a difficult time is a great example.  You can cook a meal for someone one you know or help feed those in need that you may not know.  Showing up is the first step.

We all know we have those moments when we feel we should do more.  And we let the guilt eat at us when we can’t seem to “take the time”.  Quit trying to take time.  Try giving it.

Artist Jeanetta DarleyJeanetta is an artist, blogger, and sometimes homesteader.  She’s addicted to coffee, her garden, and chickens. You can see her art and read more stories at JeanettaDarley.com.  Or follow her on social media @jeanettadarley

Does Your Family Care(Give)? 9 Ways to Make the Difference for the Caregiver This Season

“She get’s so lonely, why can’t even one person from her Church visit?” Posed to me this morning, from someone caring for her Mother who knew my history.

mother-and-me
Brenda with her Mother, Josie Reynolds McClain in Iowa for a wedding.

Caregiving is the most rewarding job in the world, it is also the most difficult. A job most know nothing about, but stay ready with suggestions and advice about what to do. Hear me when I say, “They.Know.Nothing.”

As my beloved Mother’s primary Caregiver in her last years, it was my greatest privilege.  She taught me so much. I learned about myself; more about her, my siblings; extended family; Church family; and Friends.

We began having caregivers before we actually needed them because Mother was lonely. Knowing it was impossible to stay in the room chatting with her all day, every day, I made the decision to bring someone in to keep her company.

Then, in last two years of her life, Mother didn’t want to be without a member of family during the night, specifically one of her three daughters. It was left up to me, leaving me house-bound too. God SO blessed those nightly conversations. We would talk, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. Those times are among my most cherished memories and with me forever.

sister-from-another-mother
Brenda and her ‘Sister from Another Mother’ Deborah Evans Price, of Nashville, Tennessee. One of Brenda’s friends who understands the Caregiver’s Life.

Beyond friends who’d traveled the same road, few understood. As we enter the Holidays, my suggestions to make a difference in the life of another.  

  1. CALL before any visit. Even to change pajamas, or bed jackets, it takes a moment. 
  2. VISIT when you say you will or call to cancel. Plans can change. Let the Caregiver know if a visit is no longer possible.   Well-meaning friends once told Mother they were coming ‘Friday’. Friday morning we got up, dressed then waited all day for someone who never showed or called. Yes, it broke my heart for her. 

    It’s not tolerated in business, why is it acceptable for us to do this to Friends or Family?

  3. FOOD. Learn any health restrictions. Honor the information. There were times we were practically force-fed food as the ‘cook’ sat, watched, saying “It won’t hurt just this one time. Isn’t it delicious?” 
  4. CLEAN UP after yourself.   
  5. TALK & SEE.  Look in their eyes, tell them what you’ve been doing, ask about their children and grandchildren. Pray with them. Ask who they would like you to pray for, for them? Most are starving for company and communication with the outside world. Church is usually what is missed the most. 
  6. MAIL. Even a postcard is appreciated. 
  7. WRITE. Offer to write letters or cards, be prepared to drop in the mail upon leaving. 
  8. NEWS. A new baby? Recent wedding? Photos are loved and a connection to celebrations now missed. Mother sent baby gifts and wedding gifts for every church shower. She read every morsel of the Church bulletin, memorizing names and faces in the directory. Why? To see in her minds-eye who needed prayers as she read her bulletin. That is how important Church was to her life. 
  9. ASK. Is there anything I can do for you today, to make your life easier?  
My beautiful picture
The Marvin Reynolds Family, Thanksgiving, late 1950’s in Conway, Arkansas.

People who cared for my Mother when it was difficult on everyone (including her) will always have my love, respect and loyalty. 

We should put our elderly on pedestals, love and cherish them. It is the most rewarding work we can accomplish.  ONE thing every day, even a phone call can make the difference in their life and in yours.  

If you or your church is interested in developing a Caregiver Program and have questions, email me: b@brendamcclain.com.

Brenda McClain headshotBrenda McClain is Gallery Director of Art on the Green.  She Blogs about the Magic being made daily at artonthegreen.net and experiences as Entertainment Publicist at BrendaMcClain.com.

God’s Sense of Humor About Family

God must have a funny sense of humor, a little girl from Texas who wanted to grow-up and save all the animals, is now Mom and Nana to a herd of people, but not in the traditional family format.

the-big-man-and-the-girls

Growing I thought family was always a husband and a wife, plus their children (if they have any). Today, however, our society displays greater diversity. There are several alternative family forms. They include but are not limited to: single parenthood, cohabitation, LGBT relationships, polygamy, and the extended family.

Laughingly my family does not fit the traditional definition of family or any of the alternate definitions of family forms.  If the definition of family was – a group of people with strong emotional attachments, my family would well defined.

Growing up I did not envision my grown-up life with a big family.  My family was a traditional family. My father had a strong opinion about family and a negative opinion of alternative lifestyles.  As I have grown in my faith and understanding of people, my vison of family changed.  Some additions to my bonded family, have caused me to question my beliefs.  Is it ok to have a grandchild born out of wedlock? Is it ok for a daughter to live with someone before marriage? Is an alternate life-style acceptable? Can you love someone who has been to prison? Is wanting the best for someone outside of your traditional family your responsibility?  The answer to all of these questions is – it is not my place to judge.

Each of these questions were answered by one single statement found in the Bible:  John 13:34-35 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   There are multiple verses in the bible that instructs us to “love one another”?  That means – do not judge, do not dictate, do not set limits, do not half-way give of yourself and belongings. 

So what does my family look like?  The Big Man and I have six adult children (mine, his, and someone else’s), five perfect grandsons and three awesome little girls that call us Nana and Poppy.  Of course there are the spouses and significant others that come with the adult children, numbering four.  We have opened our home to others at different periods of time, including those without a home and those without a family. 

As I look around my den or dining room during the holidays I am reminded that as little girls we cannot imagine the dreams and blessing God has for us, we just think we know the plan.  When the noise level is so loud you can’t hear or the phone is ringing constantly because everyone is in everyone’s business, I realize that I am bonded to all the voices by love.  I am not to judge but to love, In Luke 12:48 “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” I have been given much – much more than a little girl from Texas could ever imagine. We are not a traditional family.  We are much, much, more, we are God’s Family, bonded by friendship and love, sharing a small corner of the world, in Northeast Arkansas.

the-boys_2014

Connie is a 50-something wife, mother, Nana, doggie mom, vegetarian, living in the small community of Blytheville, AR. located in the far Northeast corner of the State. She shares a home with her husband aka The Big Man, 14 rescue dogs and 7 chickens. Collectively they have six adult near-perfect children and five perfect grandboys, 1 sweet granddaughter, 2 god-daughters and 5 awesome granddogs.  Connie is a family nurse practitioner who runs a small clinic and manages a free health clinic (Great River Charitable Clinic). Her and the Big Man also own and operate Bed and Biscuit Boarding. Connie is an active member of the Blytheville Humane Society. Her Blog http://scrapbookwife.blogspot.com/ chronicles her journey to live a balance simple life making her little corner of the world a better place to live.

   

Yavonda Chase

by Yavonda Chase

We are nearing my favorite holidays of the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas.

When I was a kid, Christmas won out, of course. What kid doesn’t love opening all of the presents? And as an adult, I admit that it is still at the top of the pack because I so enjoy watching the wonder in my child’s eyes as she opens her presents. In fact, I think I have more fun watching her now than I did unwrapping my presents as a child.

But Thanksgiving comes right behind it. For years, I chalked it up to the food. I mean, no other banquet comes close to the Thanksgiving spread, probably because those other banquets don’t have my mama’s cornbread dressing. I’m sure you’ve had good cornbread dressing, but you really haven’t lived until you’ve eaten my mom’s. I could eat it by the pan (and I’ve come close a few times.)

I was in college when I realized that there was more to it than the food.

My sophomore year of college I was fortunate enough to study aboard. A student at Harding University, I signed up to go to Harding University in England, better known as HUE, for a semester. I absolutely loved it.

london-with-friends

We lived in the West End of London. We were in walking distance (or a short tube ride away) to the theaters, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Square and the British Museum.

For a kid who had grown up in Booneville, Arkansas, and always wanted to live in a big city, London was a giant playground. I really was in heaven.

Until Thanksgiving.

That semester abroad was the first time I’d ever been away from home for the holidays. And I was miserable.

I remember spending the day at Cambridge University. As part of our England experience, we traveled outside of London once a week to see more of the country. So on Thanksgiving, we found ourselves eating a lunch of pizza or fish and chips in the Cambridge cafeteria. We also had orange juice, which is as disgusting as you might imagine with pizza or fish and chips. But Mum, the sweet older lady who organized all of our trips, thought that orange juice was an important part of the American Thanksgiving, so she had gone to great trouble to make sure that we had that for our meal.

Her sweet gesture was just one of the many things that nearly brought me tears that day.

I called home three times on Thanksgiving, just so I could hear my mom’s voice. For the first time that semester, I was so homesick. I hated the thought that my entire family was together (even my oldest sister had made it home that year), and I was across the ocean. Briefly, I wished that I hadn’t signed up for the semester abroad — a sentiment that would pass and not reappear again during my trip.

It was while I was away during Thanksgiving that I realized WHY it meant so much to me. It wasn’t the food or the time off from school — it was my family. It was having my parents and my three sisters, along with their families, under one roof for a very special day.

family

It has been many years since that Thanksgiving in England (we won’t talk about how many years!), but the lesson comes back to me whenever the holidays roll around. Thanksgiving may be hectic as my little family squeezes in two Thanksgiving dinners (one with my family and one with my husband’s family), but we are so blessed to have so many people we love living 45 miles or so from us.

Now, could someone pass the dressing?

yavonda-chase-bioArkansas Women Bloggers member Yavonda Chase writes about life, love and everything else at SimplyYavonda.com. She is a wife and mother who considers her daughter to be her greatest accomplishment. She was born in Kentucky and still cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats, but has lived in Arkansas for 30 years and proudly calls Central Arkansas home.

Blog: www.simplyyavonda.com

Twitter: @YavondaChase

Instagram: @Yavs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyyavonda/

Family Changes Plans

by Alicia Dowell

Most girls play house and dream about starting a family. This was never my plan. I dreamed of becoming a history teacher. My life was all mapped out, including backup plan. Or I thought I had it all set.

However, my plans went out the window one night while I was in college. The phrase love at first sight usually is for movies or romance novels but let me tell you, it is real. For me, it was like closing one window and opening a door.

See my little family started at a party. Wait! It is not what you think. I went to a party  with my sister along with most of my college friends were going to as well. Of course, I arrived late (It happens when you have night classes.) and by the time I got to the party it was in full swing. When I walked in, I looked around to see the guy my sister had told me about. He was an old friend of her boyfriend. My sister nudged me and that is when I saw him. Remember that love at first sight feeling? Yeah at that moment all my plans were out the window and the door to my future flung wide open.

It took Jeremy a couple of more weeks to realize we both were going to start a life together. Life for us was busy for the next couple of years with me graduating college and then a wedding for us. Just as we were getting used to the idea of being married our plans went right out the same window again.

Instead, we found out our party of two was going to be a group of three. Our little family grew and has continued to grow over the years. Our family is now grown to three humans, one dog, three-yard rabbits (another story for another time) and forty some odd chickens.

My idea of family sure has changed in the last ten years and I wouldn’t change our family for any plans.

alicia dowell headshotBorn and raised in Arkansas, Alicia Dowell loves her home state. She grew up on her family farm in Southwest Arkansas. She was taught a deep love of caring for animals, growing a garden, and the slower way of life. Alicia married her college sweetheart and welcomed her daughter a year later. She can still be found in Southwest Arkansas on their one-acre farm or on Instagram which fuels her photography habit.

Harvesting Leaders and Community

sunflower-jamiesthots

I grew this sunflower years ago and captured this picture of a giant bumblebee on the flower. I now use this picture as my blog’s signature image. It represents my Kansas roots as well as growth.

As a Kansas girl transplanted to Arkansas, I have spent my life with the appreciation of farmers and the amazing blessings that each harvest brings. Seeds are planted, things grow, and food for people or livestock is then harvested.

Let’s look at this idea of “harvest” from a different angle. We grow more than fruit, vegetables and grains, right? Let’s talk about how we grow and “harvest” both leaders and a community. In my opinion and experience, harvesting leaders and community go hand-in-hand and hold similar ideas.

The key to developing both community and leaders is the idea of investing in people. Sometimes this investment means money, but money is a means to an end. Investing also means believing in, focusing on, and developing individuals.

First, I will share my own story of investing in people then challenge all of us to find what this idea of harvesting leaders and community means for each of us.

denzel-quote

For me, investing in others happens in two key ways:

Helping people better understand who they are and what that means for their lives, and

Building relationships through compassionate listening and discovering common ground.

Life Action Plan

The first point is part of my Life Action Plan that I developed through becoming certified as an advisor for the Inseitz Group Women’s Empowerment Initiative. My Life Action Plan speaks to helping all people, but has a specific focus on women.

For me, this plan has three major components. The first component is the spiritual side and involves my work with the Captivating Heart Women’s Retreat ministry where we talk about our true identity in Christ.

The second component is with the Women’s Empowerment Initiative where we work with women to develop themselves in 10 key character principles that create to authentic success. This component involves women who are my peers and older than I am.

The third component is through my business, Jamie’s Notebook, and addresses future industry leaders. I recently realized I needed to hire writers to help with a specific project and decided to hire interns from the University of Arkansas. No one on my new team had done the style of writing I needed so it’s meant teaching them, coaching them and encouraging them to assess their existing skills and utilize those in a different way. 

Common ground

The second point, finding common ground to work on building relationships, is something that is less defined for me. I’ve realized recently that my personal role in this is encouraging people to listen to each other’s stories to better understand each other. My current focus for the “listen to each other” idea is focuses on developing a better understanding of racism, as well as life with a disability and/or chronic illness.

I believe that when we better understand each other and develop compassion for each other, we will be more adept at finding common ground. Through common ground, we can find community. Community must be more than simply a common interest. It must have intent and a focus on building each other up.

Think of our community with Arkansas Women Bloggers and The Women Bloggers. Sure, we all are bloggers in some form and that’s our common ground. But, we work to build each other up instead of competing with each other. Through Stephanie and others, we’ve created a community that is more than just a group of bloggers. It’s a group of women invested in each other’s futures.

rising

This t-shirt was available at the Megaphone Summit. It is the epitome of our group.

What’s your story?

You’ve kindly read my story and how this idea of harvesting leaders and community applies to my life. Now I want to know your story. How do you think we harvest leaders? How do we harvest community? I challenge you to think about how to accomplish. Do you agree that it’s all about investing in people? Then tell your story of what that means for your life.

Let’s share!

web-ready-5294Jamie has been blogging in one form or another since 2005 and now blogs over at Jamie’s Thots. She lives in Elkins with her husband John, and their four fur kids. Jamie is also a professional writer and speaker through her business Jamie’s Notebook. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest where all her handles are @JamiesThots. Headshot by Linda Richards Photography.