Shine Brightly!

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! This is sure to be a great day – I believe and declare!!!

Earlier this week I was listening to a podcast from Joel Osteen. It originally aired on December 25, 2024, and it was titled, “Shine Brightly.” Pastor Joel said two things that I want to make the focus of this week’s Happy Friday.

Pastor Joel said, “How you are living your life is sending a message to those around you.” We know this is true! The question, however, is are we living like it? And perhaps more importantly, is it the message we want to send? Our thoughts, intentions, and words don’t change a thing, only our actions do. Instead of trying to tell others what they should say or do, why don’t we live lives that are aligned with our values, beliefs, and priorities? If I value my family, believe every person has value, meaning, and purpose, and if it is a priority for me to love, care for, and serve others, the life I live should support these statements. In fact, I really shouldn’t have to tell you these things, you should see them lived out in my life.

Please take some time and do an assessment, Friends. What is your message? Is it the message you want to send?

The second thing Pastor Joel said that I want to touch on briefly is, “We complain about the darkness but that is our time to shine!” Let me say it this way; if we are around a bunch of people that are kind, our kindness does not stand out. If on the other hand, we are around a bunch of people who aren’t kind, our kindness sticks out. Instead of complaining about the darkness, shine! If we are around those who are unhelpful, be helpful. If we are around those who are rude, be polite. Instead of being upset that others are not what they think they should be, instead of complaining that we are around them, let us realize that perhaps we have been divinely appointed to that place for that purpose.

We are so blessed to be living the lives we are living, Friends. I pray that each one of us will live lives that send the message we want to send and that when we find ourselves in dark places, we will realize that we have been placed there to be a light. While we might not be able to change the whole world, we can certainly change our world. Shine brightly, Friends!      

I am going to close with a few quotes for you to thoughtfully consider.

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” – Paulo Coelho

“What you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be.” – Shakti Gawain

“As you live high standards publicly and privately, and even under great pressure adhere to them, you raise the vision of others.” – Richard G. Scott

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

Kev

A Dads Heart

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

 

We were all greatly saddened to learn of the tragic crash that occurred Wednesday night between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter. Rick Karle said it perfectly when he said, “But every one of those 67 people on those aircrafts were VIP’s to their families, and they were just as important as any politician or VIP in Washington, DC.” Please keep their families, their friends, and all the first responders in your prayers as we all deal with this gut-wrenching tragedy.

 

I had actually written a different message that I was going to share this morning. As a dear friend and exceptional professional has taught me, it is an “ever green.” It is not a time sensitive message and can be shared any time. The message I am going to share this morning is time sensitive.

 

As I type this message, my youngest Tender Warrior, Landry, is in a hotel out of town, going through the process to become a member of the United States military. This morning, I am going to share some thoughts, perspectives, and reflections…I think, perhaps, someone can glean something useful from them.

 

1.      From about the time Landry was 3-years old he would tell anyone who would listen that he was going to be a Navy SEAL someday. It was the darndest thing; there was nobody in our family who was in the military, yet he was certain that he was going to serve and that he was going to be in the Special Forces. He would repeat this over and over again for most of his life. Ironically, he had only stopped saying it in the last few years. When Landry was 8 or 9-years old I was telling a gentleman about him and his belief that he was going to be a Navy SEAL someday. The gentleman said, “He is young, you still have a lot of time to talk him out of it.” Without hesitation I stated, “I don’t want to talk him out of it. I want him to be who God created him to be.” For me, it is an indescribable honor and privilege to be a dad. Thanks to God, the Bible, Bible Study, and prayer, I have had a very strong conviction that there is a purpose for each of my kids lives, just as there is for yours and mine. With this, I don’t think I have all the answers, that they should do what I want them to do, or that I should talk them into or out of anything. Thoughtful guidance, things to think about, etc. Absolutely! To tell them what they should do vocationally or what they have to be? Absolutely not!

2.     When my Beautiful Bride, Kathy, and I were speaking with Landry about college, what he wanted to do, etc., he stated that he felt like he had to go to college because, as a dependent of someone who works at the college, it is free. I told him that this was the wrong reason to be going to college and further, college is not for everyone and that is o.k. Again, different people, different paths. And no matter what path he should choose, his mom and I would walk every step of that path with him – loving him, supporting him, and helping him any way we can so long as we are alive.

3.     With my oldest Tender Warrior, Payton, and now Landry both joining the military, people always say, “You must be so proud.” It is kind of awkward for me. You see, I completely understand the sentiment and yes, I think it is absolutely amazing that these two have chosen to serve our country. But the thing is, I could not love them more or be prouder of them, or my middle Tender Warrior, Gehrig, than I already am! They don’t have to be, well, anything to make me proud. I am genuinely amazed by each one of them and excited for whatever beautiful journey I get to walk with them. My love and pride has nothing to do with what they do or accomplish, and everything to do with the kind, gracious, beautiful hearts that beat within the chest of each one of them. They genuinely care about others, they have hearts to serve, and they are willing to do anything to help anyone. I truly believe – with these attributes – they will find peace, joy, and contentment in whatever they do. To be sure, I am a very proud Dad of all 3 of my boys.

4.     After stating how proud I must be, most will follow up quickly with something like, “How is Mom?” or “How is Kathy?” First, I will tell you all she is doing amazing! Yes, she feels all the feelings and has all the emotions, however, to honor God and her, and the truly transformational work they are doing together, I must tell you she is doing great…it is amazing to witness. The other part of this that I want to make really clear is that this is every bit as challenging for Dad as it is for Mom. Perhaps you would think, or expect me to say, that I am great, this is easy, blah, blah, blah. There are these two competing feelings/emotions; I am absolutely going to miss them, and I am so excited about the new adventures we will have together during this new season of their lives. I am going to miss their presence day to day, the talks, hanging out, just being. You know that line in “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” that says, “And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again”? Kathy and I have often talked about that; we never felt that. We are a close family, we enjoy being together, and I would always choose to be with them if given the choice between that and anything else. So, if you gave me another day, week, month, or year, I guarantee you, I would want another. So please know, it is every bit as hard for Dad as it is for Mom.

5.     As I tell Kath, the worries, cares, and fears that we have are real and should be expected. As I explained to her, for 18 years of their lives our focus was on leading, guiding, and protecting them. Now, we have two that are volunteering to put themselves in harm’s way. Not easy. As I have talked to God, he has reminded me of a few things that give me peace and comfort:

·       They are not my kids anyway, they are His. He simply has given Kathy the honor and privilege of stewarding them. I heard it said once, “Your kids belong to God and He is going to need them back some day.” Wisdom would be to enjoy each day, cherish every moment, for some day God will need them back.

·       Here is a declaration we learned at church a few months ago:

“I am not anxious or worried because I have a Heavenly Father that cares for me and will meet my needs.” (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27; Psalm 23:1) Man, I am telling you, as I speak this declaration every morning my Spirit soars! My Heavenly Father cares for me…and you too!!! And He will meet my needs – whatever the season, trial, or challenge, He has, and will, meet my needs. I look back over the course of my life and I can testify to the truth of this declaration. Thank you, Jesus!

·       Philippians 4:6-7 means so much to me; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Again, I can testify to the truth of this scripture. Over and over again, day after day, as I pray, I cast all my cares on Him, reminding Him of the promise of peace, and He has yet to fail in delivering it to me.

 

So, here we are! My boy is pursuing a dream that he has cherished in his heart since he was 3-years old. I am genuinely happy for him, looking forward to this new journey we get to take together…clinging to Jesus’ hand the whole way!

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

 

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

 

Kev

Remember & Encourage

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet, frigid, Home Alabama!

This morning, I am not going to tell you anything you do not know. My sole hope this morning is to remind you of a simple truth and to encourage you in all your interactions.

Gautama Buddha once said, “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” So wise! The words you and I speak matter…greatly!

I have the honor and privilege in my work to meet so many truly remarkable women and men. It never ceases to amaze me how so many stories start with, “So and so told me…” People had spoken life into them, they received it, and it forever altered the trajectory of their lives. Time after time when I met with physicians I heard about a teacher when they were in 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade who had told them that they could see them being a physician one day. And because of the life-giving words of these thoughtful educators, not only were there lives filled with passion and purpose, can you imagine the number of people whose suffering has been alleviated and lives saved? Our words matter! I have spoken to so many people who are making a real difference in this world, across vastly different vocations, who have a story about someone believing in them, encouraging them, speaking faith into the dark, encouraging the person to keep going despite the obstacles, situations, and/or setbacks. Yes Friends, our words matter.

It happened again earlier this week. I was meeting with a gentleman who is near the end of his career. He has a family, he has achieved a lot in his career, and he was telling me how he needs to find a high school teacher to tell him “Thank you” for believing in him and encouraging him. He stated that it all started with that one person and the words he spoke to him.

Please Friends, don’t ever forget, our words matter. As Napoleon Hill wisely stated, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”

I also want to encourage us to look for the good in others, no matter how much dirt we must move to see it! If I stumble and fall, I guarantee you I don’t need you to tell me I stumbled and fell…nor do you! I certainly don’t need you to laugh at me or ridicule me. We all have failing moments, tough days, and difficult circumstances. Instead of pointing out the weakness in another, let's look for the strengths – we all have both! It is a matter of choosing what we will focus on and, as we all know, what we choose to focus on grows.

I don’t mean to get all philosophical this morning however all this – life – is not that complicated. We would be wise to remember the saying many of us were taught when we were young; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” And I can assure you, though people have tried for centuries, tearing someone else down will never make us stand taller.

I want to close with two quotes that I respectfully ask you to ponder and decide, what will your influence be?

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words, we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive.” – Betty Eadie

“The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.” – Brian Tracy

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

Kev