At one point or another, it was all impossible.

A ship that can make it across the ocean? Ridiculous.

Indoor plumbing? Ha – never going to happen.

Current that runs through wires to light a house so that we don’t have to use the incredibly risky business of lighting a home with candles? No way.

Airplanes? Yea right.

Internet? HUH?

Internet without wires?

Free internet?

20 years ago = NO WAY.

The existence of a God who gives a rip about our lives? Maybe, maybe not.

Impossibilities have the tendency to stall us, sidetrack us, kill us.

But then, if we are self aware (and other aware) enough, things slowly become possible.

How? People are wired to be intensely creative, industrious, discontent and curious.

As a result, we tend to ask the question: What if?

What if we could make it across that ocean, have electricity, move the bathroom indoors, fly in the sky, connect the whole world to the internet of things, believe that God intimately cares about our lives?

What if the things that we can’t even see (though we can often feel them) really exist?

The power of possible possibilities becomes increasingly incredible. 

We each face real impossibilities each day. Some that we are born into, some that are a result of our circumstances or the choices we (or others around us) have made.

Fortunately, that reality is not the end of the story. Yet.

Impossible things may actually become possible some day.

Each of us are creative, have the ability to be industrious, to gather our emotions of discontent, and lean into our curious tendencies.

May we each strive have faith in the unseen, and hope that things are possible.

Our stories are still be written, and that’s a good thing.

Kevin

 

Every now and then, someone who isn’t picked to be the winner ends up winning.

The odds are against them.

They rise to the occasion.

They surprise everyone (including themselves sometimes)

What underdogs do to win:

They practice like champions.

They are humble.

They work within their limits, and capitalize on the limits of their opponents.

They dig deep. Very Deep.

They are thankful.

We tell our 4 year old that “Winning isn’t everything”

That is important to keep in mind.

More importantly, is how do underdogs react to their circumstances?

If we find ourselves as underdogs, how do we react?

If (when) people count us out, will we give up?

Will we humbly dig deep?

Will we work hard at honing our craft?

May we each see ourselves as having value, as worthy of the cause we champion, and may we dig deep – no matter how the world views us.

Kevin

 

Our world is full of messaging that says “It’s all about you. Go get want you want. Go at it alone. You don’t need anyone but yourself.”

“Army of One”

“I’m Lovin’ it”

“Be all that you can be”

“Have it your way”

I think this mindset is especially true for those of us who have grown up in the Midwest:

“I can do it on my own”

“I don’t need help, because receiving help is like a handout”

“God helps those who helps themselves.” (That’s a lie by the way. Though personal responsibility is a virtue, God has a tendency to help the helpless.)

I’m learning, mostly the hard way, that choosing Interdependence over Independence is a much more life giving way and to live.

Choosing interdependence makes us vulnerable, and that’s risky business.

“I need you & you need me”

“Let’s do this in community rather than isolation”

“Let’s be real, honest and talk it through”

“You have some plenty and so do I. Let’s tackle this project, partnership/marriage, child rearing or cause together”

In my field of fundraising and inviting people into the story of YL, I think that Luke 8:1-3 has some great insight into how to make this choice of Interdependence vs. Independence.

And if you’re not into the Bible, I get it. There is actually some really amazing stuff in there.

I’m confident that your business & relationships will be better if you read on. Because this life we live is all about fostering relationships that are honorable. Jesus is the pro’s pro when it comes to this.

A quick list of what is happening in this account:

• The woman are supporting Jesus out of their own means
  • Jesus needed them (like we need others)
• The women are traveling with Jesus from town to town
  • Jesus doesn’t raise capital with a bunch of VC’s or fundraise for his ministry in one city, leave his supporters behind and say “I’ll be back when I need more money”
  • He brings them along on a significant journey as partners (we should do this too)
• Their lives (and the world) were drastically changed as a result

What would happen if we choose to bring people along on a journey today and to depend on each other?

To invite them into new significance, truth-telling, adventure, new life, new hope? To allow ourselves to give to them and also receive from them.

Would the world and the people around us change if we decided to do it all on our own? (Most likely not)

What this looks like:

“Come tour our factory – the product we are making and the people who are making it are incredible folks”

“Come see our camp – your life will never be the same!”

“Have you heard this story?”

“I want you to meet this couple – they are world changers.”

“I’ll work hard to be honest”

May we be builders of community as we learn to choose Interdependence over Independence.

May our lives, and the lives of those who support us never be the same.

Kevin

 

Knowing (and correctly pronouncing) someone’s name is a very powerful thing.

“It’s Stephen. Not Steph-on. Stephen. No, not Steven, Stephen.”

It takes a little bit of effort to remember and pronounce a person’s name every now and then.

Work hard to get it right. Maybe write it down, say it to yourself in your head a few times, repeat it in conversation with the person when you first meet.

If we ignore the problem (Like Nike did in this story) or we don’t fix the knowing of name, our brand loses, our cause suffers, our customer is invalidated and relationships end or sour.

That effort will be worth it in the short and long term. People need to know that they are valuable enough to be remembered and known correctly. 

Though Nike clearly doesn’t need more money, this faux pas likely cost them tens of millions of dollars.

What will it cost us if we don’t take the time to remember someone’s name? To show that we are present enough to get this important detail right?

Many of us have had the experience of: “I’ve met that person at least 5 times and they act like it is the first time, every time.”

We are overlooked, unnoticed, passed by.

When we meet someone who we admire and they remember our name, we feel:

Noticed.

Valued.

Known.

Included.

Named. 

The power of name is incredibly valuable. Is shows that we are present, that we care.

When we do not remember someone’s name, we must own it. Apologize and work hard to remember it the next time.

Let’s work hard to actually know people, their names and their stories this week.

Kevin

 

 

 

Whether it is in marriage, business, or non profit work – every now and then, we find ourselves attempting to convince others to give us something that we feel like we need.

“I’ve been married to you for 9 years now, and you still don’t vacuum the living room as often as I would hope.”

“You should invest in this new venture.”

“I’d like to pitch you this product.”

“I barely know you, but would you donate to our cause?”

Here is the question we often ask ourselves: “How do I get want I want from this person?”

As a result, we find ourselves treating our family, customers, donors or colleagues like ATM machines. Only making (sometimes demanding) withdrawals when we need something from them.

What if we approached this through a different vantage point? Through the lens of “Plenty”?

As in, not only do they have plenty to offer you (DUH), but you have plenty to offer them.

As in energy, expertise, friendship, a listening ear, care, community, an innovative product or an invitation into a story.

Here’s a quote from a really good book – “At the present time, your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality.”

We must work to put ourselves on equal footing with people who have ‘less’ than us or ‘more’ than us.

We must ask ourselves “What is their need? Have I been given something that I can give away to them out of my plenty?”

What if we valued making deposits into the life of our spouses, into the lives of our clients, deposits into the families of those who support our ministry, or deposits into the vision of their businesses?

I think we should all seriously consider it. We all have incredible things to offer each other.

May you go forth in confidence today, knowing that you have been given things that are worthy of sharing.

May we work hard to share our lives with each other today.

Kevin

PS – I’m really good at vacuuming. Plus it doesn’t take that long. It’s a part of my plenty that I can give to Sarah. If I choose…

Our eldest son wanted his bedtime snack to be a “Pirate Beard” tonight.

Uh…. initial thought = gross. Secondary thought = beards are cool, so why not eat one?

So, after a bit of thought, I put on my daddy-creative hat and rallied some random ingredients from the cupboard.

Here is what I came up with:

Unimpressive. I know.

J-Man was unimpressed too. And, if I’m honest, my feelings were a bit hurt.

SO RIDICULOUS.

With a bit of a sigh, I walked out of the room, semi-rejected by a 4 year old who didn’t like the snack I made him.

So… I took a moment to gather my kinda hurt feelings and reenter with him.

I asked him “What don’t you like about the Pirate Beard?”

He didn’t have (what I thought was) a good answer.

“Try the nose! It’s a honey/sesame almond from Trader Joe’s for crying out loud. It’s REALLY good.”

J-Man tries the nose. Big Smile.

“Try the mouth – it’s Corn Chex, and you LOVE Corn Chex. And the beard is peanut butter for goodness sakes!”

“Wait ’till you try the eyes. Raisins. Nummy Central.”

He got about halfway through the Pirate Beard Snack with lots of small bites and smiles before he had had enough.

He was surprised that my crazy snack actually tasted pretty decent. He was happy (mostly) with the experience.

If we pause for 28 seconds and are honest with ourselves, when people around us reject our creativity, it hurts.

“I worked really hard = you should be on board with it. You should like it. You should like me.”

A customer rejects our project? What if a donor rejects our ask? A family member or friend rejects us?

How will we react?

No big deal?

Leave, pout, wallow in disdain?

Or gather our thoughts, take a deep breath & continue in relationship? Will we offer the thing that costs us the most? Will we jump back in and offer ourselves?

What if we came back with a question or two: How would you change our product or service? What is it about our vision that doesn’t resonate with you? What is your perfect Pirate Beard?

What if we reentered with a simple baby step: Try the honey sesame almond. I think you’ll really like it.

We all need to be walked through stories and experiences. One step at a time.

Will we be a creative guide that values learning, and listening before lead? Will we continue to create and show up again after we have been rejected?

May each of us continue to create pirate beards, to deal with rejection in a healthy way and continue to take baby steps to listen, ask good questions & show up.

Kevin

PS – once J-Man had had enough, his vulture little brother finished all of it. If someone doesn’t like your product, vision or hope the first time around, there might be someone else who might.

Don’t loose hope! Try again! The world is full of little brothers who are ready to gobble up what you have to offer!

 

 

Here is a person who values his peeps over his product.

(See here if you have NO IDEA what I am talking about.)

He’s a guy I’ve been getting to know this year and admire greatly.

He values people so much that he basically gives his product (the creative person & presence he is) away for free every now and then.

His time.

The mileage on his car.

His presence.

The strings on his guitar.

His story.

The space in his soul.

His heart.

You should get to know him.

Buy his album (It’s really good, just like him.)

Humble, kind, present, subtle, ambitious & thankful.

If you want to be a world changer, follow an example like his.

An interesting thing happens when we start giving ourselves away to others.

They start doing it too.

It gives them life.

It gives you life.

Our relationships of give and take become mutual.

What can we give away for free this week? Some of our precious time? A service? A bit of our product? Ourselves?

I highly recommend that we all do it.

It helps us be us. It helps us be real. It helps us think more highly of others than we do ourselves.

And the world, our family, business or organization is better for it.

A HUGE PS:

Oh – by the way, this fella is also a great YL Leader in our region. Started a YL club at the school where he teaches., recruited a great team of volunteers and reaches 120 kids/per week at YL Club. 52 kids signed up for summer camp so far. Many more life changing stories to come.

Promise.

His story is being shared on a national level in YL.  (Names have been changed in the article). And one that longs to be told. It might be in your mailbox soon.

 

 

Had a great conversation with a really smart colleague yesterday.

We were talking about the temptation to value our product over people.

In YL, our product may be a great club, a sound club talk, an incredible camp experience or a shiny fundraising event.

In our businesses, it could be the service we offer or the great thing that we sell.

In our homes, it could be the picked up living room, a tidy refrigerator, or an exquisite meal that I am trying to cook.

Now, we must put effort into some of these products so that they have the potential to be really great.

Not to the detriment of our people though.

We can never sacrifice people for product.

We must value relationships over events, objects or sales.

Team really does matter.

A Person makes the world go ’round.

Trusting relationships, togetherness, shared story and integrated purpose.

If we are spending too much time thinking about how to offer a better product and not enough time wondering how to invite more people into the story of that product, I’m afraid that we have missed the mark.

When we think about events we are organizing, things we put in our schedule, where we spend our time,

we must figure out how to give people a valuable role, a personal invitation, a bit of ourselves… 

May we value thinking through how to get more people into the story of our lives, business and organizations.

May we never value product over people.

 

 

“I’m so busy” has become a badge of honor these days.

If we are not busy, well, we must be lazy.

My auto response when someone asks me how I’m doing is “Busy.”

I’m not as busy as I think and feel most days.

We have full lives, yes. Sarah has a small business, I work a full time job and a small part time job in YL. We have active boys, a house that needs work and an extended network of family and friends that we love to spend time with.

Through all of this, Sarah and I are working hard to remove “busyness” from our lexicon and our schedules.

We are learning the importance of the need for a realigning of our concepts of Space & Pace.

To create Space for time together, with our boys, Space to laugh, do nothing, swing on the swings, read good books, playing trains.

To slow down our Pace to listen to each other, to make eye contact, to avoid multitasking, to ask good questions and to actually listen.

Creating Space and Pace to take a break from the mayhem is not a new concept. (Check this out.) It’s simply a concept that is not valued as much as it has been in the past.

I also need Space and a shift in Pace to be more creative at work. To get into a spin class, sweat like crazy and not answer my phone or emails. My mind has the freedom to wander to new places and generate new ideas.

To sit in the steam room after a work out and wonder about things that I don’t have space to wonder about at my office. To press pause, take a walk, and make a big decision.

Do we have the Space to care for our family and for ourselves? A Pace that provides room for creativity? Does your business or organization value this type of thinking?

May each of us take a good look at our lives…

& Create Space and Pace – for quiet, listening, being present and creation – it’ll be worth it.

I write for 10 minutes + you read for 3 minutes = God only knows

This blog won’t be perfect, because I am not. And it won’t take you long to read each day.

Promise.

It will be real. Because I am real.  Because you are too. Let’s be real together.

Words can be weird.

If a certain word is a normal part of the lexicon of our business, organization or home, we often assume that others, who may not be in the same group as us, understand what we are talking about.

Sometimes these words might be insider lingo or an acronym that our business throws around. ROE. CPI. Synergy. Da Heck?

Other times, these words are inside jokes in our homes. Our house is fully of crazy, made up words and silly inside jokes. Come visit sometime and your life will never be the same.

Insider lingo should bug us.

The word “Discipleship” has been ringing in my ears since yesterday..

It’s a word that we use often in YL circles. We throw it around with ease – sometimes assuming that everyone knows what we are talking about.

What am I trying to get across when I use that word? Is it the right word for what I mean?

Yesterday, that word felt right to me. Today it feels weird.

So, I’m going to dive into that word. What do I think about it? More importantly, what do others think about it? Is it the right word for our people? Our context?

I’m hopeful that each of us can pause for 28 seconds today and think about the weird words we use our homes, our business, or our organization.

May each of us be thoughtful, hopeful and welcoming in our language.

So that people feel at home in our business, that they matter to our organization, that they are members of our families.