Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
What gets in the way?
I’ve been working on a big project for the past two months. Only that’s not really accurate. I’ve been fussing with it, working around the edges, talking about it. But every time I encounter an obstacle, feel stuck or aren’t sure where to go next, I manage to distract myself. Something else suddenly becomes more important. (more…)
No thought or action is without its effects, present or ultimate, seen or unseen, felt or unfelt. Norman Cousins
I think we’re all trying to get others to join our circle.
We might be selling a product or service, promoting an idea, or just looking for connection. Some of us want to teach or learn (hopefully together). There are probably lots of other reasons.
It’s a basic human need. A desire for relationship, for love and belonging, is a major aspect of how God created us in His image.
So as you seek to expand your own circle, here’s a question: What are you after? (more…)
This is Black History Month, so my question’s motivated by thoughts of America’s struggle with civil rights for African-Americans. But it applies equally to questions of national sovereignty, disability issues, or gathering support for relief to earthquake victims in Haiti.
Is any cause so right, so just, so morally imperative that it justifies “whatever it takes” to advance its mission? (more…)
Am I the only one who struggles with the need to be right?
Actually, that’s not quite correct. My real issue involves needing others to acknowledge that I’m right.
I get passionate about something, an idea, a cause, a program—nothing wrong with that. But the next thing you know I’m immersed in a knockdown argument with someone who disagrees. I perceive it, but I can’t let it go. Just one last comment, one more tweet, and my desire for the last word becomes an endless series of “one more” responses. (more…)
It’s Monday, and at Bouncing Back that means it’s time for the Word of the Week.
ENCOURAGE
This is a follow-up from last week’s word, courage: the willingness to act for right regardless of risk.
One of the most important aspects of courage is encourage. To me, that means you give courage to others.
So encourage means helping others discover and develop the willingness to act for right, regardless of risk. It’s an act of service that helps others extend their limits.
When you encourage someone, you help them climb the ladder and move closer to their full potential.
Who will you encourage this week?
The people who are lifting the world onward and upward are those who encourage more than they criticize. Elizabeth Harrison
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I gently encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Facebook Fan Page. This is a great new way for Facebook users to spread the word to their friends. Just click the link, become a fan, and recommend the page to your friends.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
If you’ve followed along for a while, you know that I think about this community as a circle. The basic idea is that the circle defines whatever the community’s about—core values, mission, goals, stuff like that. You can check out the about page or Defining The Circle for some info about this particular circle.
So in my visual, people inside the circle are folks who buy in to what the circle represents. A particular circle might be a business with employees and customers, a church or other ministry, or even a neighborhood. Some circles, such as a business, are tightly defined. Others, like a neighborhood, might be more loosely defined. (more…)
It’s the beginning of a new week, a new year, and even a new decade—just in case you didn’t know. So, since everything else is new, we’re going to try a new Monday feature for Bouncing Back. I’m creatively calling it our WORD OF THE WEEK.
The idea is to simply put a word out there to stimulate our thinking at the beginning of the week. I’ll offer my brief thoughts and hope that you’ll share your reaction in the comments below. So, here’s our very first word of the week.
COURAGE
Courage is the willingness to act for the right, regardless of risk to self. (borrowed from Gus Lee)
It’s a simple concept with powerful implications for every aspect of our lives. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage confronts fears with action for whatever’s right as we understand it. I hope we all find and seize opportunities to demonstrate courage.
What’s one situation in which you can choose this week to act courageously?
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Courage is a deep-seated, fundamental human competence that leverages our other abilities. It invokes within us our absolute best selves. Gus Lee
I’ve been reading an incredible book by Gus Lee titled Courage: The Backbone Of Leadership. It’s a great resource for anyone who would like to lead with purpose and integrity.
Today, in the second installment of a series on courage, I’d like to talk a bit about courage as a priority.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet No thought or action is without its effects, present or ultimate, seen or unseen, felt or unfelt. Norman Cousins
Do you ever look at something really familiar and see something you’ve never seen before?
Does your cause justify “whatever it takes”?
Am I the only one who struggles with the need to be right?
ENCOURAGE
How do you expand your circle?
COURAGE
