"Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours."
- Marcus Aurelius
PERSON 1
Oh, if I only had this. I could really use one of these. This would match my outfit SO well. This would make my life so much easier. And I definitely NEED this. And maybe this too. And this for work. And this for vacation. And this for my fall wardrobe. And this in this color. And these because they MATCH this.
PERSON 2
I wish I could have food. I am so hungry. I would love to have some fresh, cold water today. I wish I had a new pair of shoes because my feet get cold and wet. I wish I had a new toy to play with.
BIG difference between 1 and 2, right? Most of you reading this probably fall into the category of person 1. We long for materialistic things; things we don't really NEED, but rather want. We don't worry about where our next meal is coming from or if there is bacteria in our filtered water. If we need a different pair of shoes, we go to our closet or the store. If we want a new toy to play with, we save up and go buy an iPad or a new cell phone.
Don't forget to be thankful for what you have. There ARE people who fall into category 2. It is easy to get caught up in our lives and forget to be thankful for everything we have.
Our challenge to you this week - Next time you pour yourself a big glass of water or sit down to a hot meal, think about those who don't have that luxury. And remember, the best things in life aren't things.
Today's Starfish
The child Devon and I sponsor, Sonton, is turning 5 on October 2 (which also happens to be my birthday!). For a gift, we sent a birthday card with a little bit of money inside. In the card, we told him how much we love him and that Jesus loves him too. We told him he shares a birthday with me and that Devon and I would be spending that day together and would be thinking of him and praying for him.
With the monetary gift we are giving Sonton, he is able to pick something he wants - whether it be rice for his family, a new toy or doll, or new clothes. This is probably one of the first gifts Sonton has ever received. We are providing something for this young child that so many of us may take advantage of.
As Sonton grows up, we will strive to build a relationship with him. Just as Devon stated to me earlier today - It is not always about the material things. She is thankful (me too!) that she gets to spend my birthday week with me and help me celebrate. Friendship is one of the greatest gifts that we can receive, and that we can give. And don't you forget that!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Stellar Service
"Always give people more than what they expect to get."
-Nelson Boswell
Experiences with the service industry can be frustrating, to put it mildly. Rude cashiers, long hold times, impatient servers. You know exactly what I am talking about and you can probably think back to a recent time where you experienced this yourself.
A lot of us have been on the other side and worked in the service industry - Sarah, Devon and I have been there! Serving people all day is not always the easiest job and the people who do these jobs are not always the most pleasant people.
But sometimes, you come across great customer service that deserves to be recognized! Maybe by a nice tip or a kind compliment.
Maybe you go the extra mile and send a card or speak to a manager about their stellar employee.
Our challenge to you - Notice good service when you see it. Point it out. Say thank you. Make that person's day!
Today's Starfish
Devon wrote a thank you to a Starbucks manager, touting the service of one of their employees.
I sent an email to the manager of a hotel I stayed at this weekend, thanking them for their service and letting them know their staff was very accommodating.
I am sure it will be nice when these managers receive these notes. Focusing on the positive can be a difference maker when most of the time all these people hear are negative complaints!
-Nelson Boswell
Experiences with the service industry can be frustrating, to put it mildly. Rude cashiers, long hold times, impatient servers. You know exactly what I am talking about and you can probably think back to a recent time where you experienced this yourself.
A lot of us have been on the other side and worked in the service industry - Sarah, Devon and I have been there! Serving people all day is not always the easiest job and the people who do these jobs are not always the most pleasant people.
But sometimes, you come across great customer service that deserves to be recognized! Maybe by a nice tip or a kind compliment.
Maybe you go the extra mile and send a card or speak to a manager about their stellar employee.
Our challenge to you - Notice good service when you see it. Point it out. Say thank you. Make that person's day!
Today's Starfish
Devon wrote a thank you to a Starbucks manager, touting the service of one of their employees.
I sent an email to the manager of a hotel I stayed at this weekend, thanking them for their service and letting them know their staff was very accommodating.
I am sure it will be nice when these managers receive these notes. Focusing on the positive can be a difference maker when most of the time all these people hear are negative complaints!
Monday, September 15, 2014
A New Leaf
"Just like the seasons, people have the ability to change."
The crisp crunch of leaves echoes with every step. The aroma of chili simmering in the crockpot illuminates the air. College Game Day plays in the background on Saturday Mornings. Hues of reds, oranges and yellows line the trees. Your taste buds awaken with sweet pumpkin spice. Is this heaven?!
Have you felt the chill in the air? Enjoyed your first PSL of the season? (That's Pumpkin Spice Latte for all you non-Starbucks drinkers out there.) Football; pumpkin break; hooded sweatshirts. Pumpkin patch visits; hayrides; harvest. HONEY CRISP APPLES!!!
What does fall mean to you?
The temperature is changing. Leaves are turning colors. Flip flops to Ugg boots; tank tops to cardigans; sunglasses to scarves.
Change is all around us. It is a perfect time to turn a new leaf or have a change of heart. Give an old friend a second chance; put judgments behind and get to know someone you may have written off for a superficial or silly reason. Do something for yourself. Put the past behind you.
What can YOU change beginning this fall?
Today's Starfish
For today's Starfish, we are each turning a new leaf in our lives. We consciously made the decision to give someone another chance, be more open to change and to put the past seasons behind us.
We challenge you to do the same.
The crisp crunch of leaves echoes with every step. The aroma of chili simmering in the crockpot illuminates the air. College Game Day plays in the background on Saturday Mornings. Hues of reds, oranges and yellows line the trees. Your taste buds awaken with sweet pumpkin spice. Is this heaven?!
Have you felt the chill in the air? Enjoyed your first PSL of the season? (That's Pumpkin Spice Latte for all you non-Starbucks drinkers out there.) Football; pumpkin break; hooded sweatshirts. Pumpkin patch visits; hayrides; harvest. HONEY CRISP APPLES!!!
What does fall mean to you?
The temperature is changing. Leaves are turning colors. Flip flops to Ugg boots; tank tops to cardigans; sunglasses to scarves.
Change is all around us. It is a perfect time to turn a new leaf or have a change of heart. Give an old friend a second chance; put judgments behind and get to know someone you may have written off for a superficial or silly reason. Do something for yourself. Put the past behind you.
What can YOU change beginning this fall?
Today's Starfish
For today's Starfish, we are each turning a new leaf in our lives. We consciously made the decision to give someone another chance, be more open to change and to put the past seasons behind us.
We challenge you to do the same.
Monday, September 8, 2014
A Healing Heart
"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth 'You owe me.'
Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the whole sky."
-Hafiz
We've all been there. You're sick; you have a little flu bug or a sniffle. You're hurting; you have to have surgery. You're sad; you just want to spend the day under the covers.
When you felt these things, think of the people who were there for you. The outpouring of love. The flowers or the cards or the phone calls or texts or the prayers or the drives to the doctor's office. People support you, no matter what you are faced with.
Have you been that person for someone else? Have you been there during a rough patch or during an illness? You probably have.
Our challenge to you this week - do it more often. It will be beneficial for the both of you :)
Today's Starfish
Sarah, Devon and I each know someone who was feeling a little under the weather or who recently had surgery. We decided to show an outpouring of love to those people by getting them a little something to brighten their mood.
Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the whole sky."
-Hafiz
We've all been there. You're sick; you have a little flu bug or a sniffle. You're hurting; you have to have surgery. You're sad; you just want to spend the day under the covers.
When you felt these things, think of the people who were there for you. The outpouring of love. The flowers or the cards or the phone calls or texts or the prayers or the drives to the doctor's office. People support you, no matter what you are faced with.
Have you been that person for someone else? Have you been there during a rough patch or during an illness? You probably have.
Our challenge to you this week - do it more often. It will be beneficial for the both of you :)
Today's Starfish
Sarah, Devon and I each know someone who was feeling a little under the weather or who recently had surgery. We decided to show an outpouring of love to those people by getting them a little something to brighten their mood.
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