This has been chaotic week for me. Between working a second job. Handling major work projects. Being in the midst of a huge fight out on my basketball courts. Dealing with possible transition. It has been crazy. I have been stretched.
Being stretched can feel uncomfortable. However, I understand that it is necessary at times in order for one to grow.
"People and rubber bands have one thing in common: they must be stretched to be effective." John Maxwell
Words are potent! They can either build someone up or break someone down. Everything that comes out of our mouth will have some type of impact on an individual.
Years upon years ago, someone spit in my face and called me an ugly b****. Those words remained in me for a long time. Those words damaged my self esteem. Then one day, I realized who I am.
Sadly, there have been some words that poured out of my mouth that I truley regret. Today, I repent. I pray that God helps me control my heart, my mind, and my speech. I pray that I build others up and that I have a positive influence on their life. I want to encourage, inspire, and motivate others.
"A tongue that brings healing is like a tree of life. But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit." Proverbs 15:4
"Because with every action, comment, conversation, we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth." Rob Bell
Just recently, I have been selected to sit in on a new committee in the Detroit Association. It is called Leadership Circle. I will be working closely with nine other leaders over the next year.
This year, this is the second type of leadership committee that I have been selected to sit in on. I am looking forward to developing relationships with these individuals along with strengthening my leadership skills.
On Wednesday, we met for our first time as a group. We created our own goals along with a mission statement for the Leadership Circle.
Our Goals:
Our Mission Statement: By becoming better leaders through networking we will be able to gain insight into all areas of the YMCA, so that we may begin to redefine the community's perception of the YMCA.
Sitting on two leadership committees during this season in my life will be challenging. Both committees have homework assignments and great responsibilities. Before I accepted both invitations, I thought about the sacrifice that I would need to take. The sacrifice of time. This sacrifice should be well worth it in the long run.
Hopefully, I will be developed into a stronger leader ready to be launched into a new direction in my life. Hopefully, I will advance someday!
For the past three weeks on Tuesday evenings, I have gathered together with six young married couples to process the journey that we are on as individuals. This small group is a place for each one of us to grow and challenge each other. It has surely been a trip!
Here are a few of the weekly topics.
Every week we each received a challange. Sometimes, we all receive the same challenge while other times we receive different ones. Some of the challenges are really difficult. While others are easy. I have even tried to trade certain challenges with others but they wouldn't let me.
Here are a few of the challenges that I have received:
It has been years since I have sat in on a small group. So far, this weekly commitment has been well worth it. I have been challenged, encouraged, and loved. I am looking forward to the next three weeks with the six married couples and a one friend that is single.
Jon and Hayley Hauger at the Lions verses Steelers Game.
A sign that is hanging on my office door. Don't you love it!? :)
Drinking some coffee after a delicious dinner on vacation. The view was perfect!
Four of us went to the Detroit Lions game today against the Steelers. Now, I absolutely cannot stand the Steelers. There were too many of them at the game. And a Steelers fan even tried befriending himself with me during half time. Ridiculous! I wasn't going to let it happen. Anyways, at the end of the day I have decided that the Detroit Lions mess with my emotions way too much. We should of had today's game! Ugh!
Sidenote: the men who have season tickets right in front of us made it in sports illustrated. their pictures took up two whole pages. gotta love die hard Lions fans
On Tuesday, Channel 4 news did a story on a child who has made a phenominal impact on my life. His name was J. Myles Beckley. He passed away at the age of five about a year and a half ago in a tragic accident. I will never forget the phone call that I received from his father informing me of his death.
You can read more about him here. And you can check out the story Channel 4 did on him here.
Yesterday, I hit the golf course for my very first round of 18 holes. Thank goodness that it was a scramble! Phew!
Here are a few of the highlights or even lowlights.
At times, I hit the ball farther than my old boss and others that have golfed before.
I struggled big time on what to wear to the golf course. I know, I know. Women! :)
I personally kicked butt when it came to trash talking on the course.
The golf nazi yelled at us a few times. He surely needs to learn how to loosen up
I lost three golf balls. One in the water and two in the woods. Is that normal?
Isolation tends to cause damage especially when one is dealing with hard times at work, a rocky relationship, or even submerged in a state of depression. So many of us tend to lock ourselves in our home shutting ourselves off to the world. Isolation does not help during those times.
There have been times when I have isolated myself from friends, acquaintances, and even those that have hurt me. I have put up defensive walls in order to protect myself. However, it wasn't the best for me.
Relationships are what we all need. People that can speak hope into our lives. People that can love. People that can listen. People that will believe in us especially when we do not believe in ourselves.
Relationships need to be one of our top priorities in life. We were not made to walk this life alone.
"No matter how much I win, if I win it alone, I lose. Love is the ball game." John Ortberg
This might come as a surprise but I am not a golf fanatic. Yes, it is hard to believe, eh?!
On Friday, September 18th I will be heading out to a golf course all the way out in Romeo. I will be clueless as to how this leisurely activity is suppose to work. The last time (and only time) I went golfing I only made it to the third hole. My brother didn't have enough patience with me and dragged me off the course.
So, September 18th should be quite comical!