LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Do things at your own pace. Life's not a race." Unknown

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

September is here, and if you're like me, it came with a bit of SHOCK. How can it be September? I've been thinking about the idea of PACE. Back a couple of months ago, I spent some time on RHYTHM, and I realize that PACE is different. I'm going to dive into it this month. Join me...

To read past quotes & thoughts.... CLICK HERE.

The quote above has been spoken and shared by many people from many different contexts, and it's simply a reminder that each of us need to set our own pace. We're told that "life's not a race", but I'm not sure any of us really believe that.

We live our lives running from one thing to the next, and while we've identified some RHYTHM to our lives, we haven't clarified the PACE.

You see, they're different.

Rhythm can be defined as a "flow" of events, patterns or events, that come and go at various speeds.

PACE on the other hand is the "speed" at which these things unfold. Pace defines the speed and the intensity that I move through.

PACE and RHYTHM are connected, but they are different.

Here's a simple way I can illustrate it:

RHYTHM is me walking everyday. Typically about 6 miles, but walking is a part of the rhythm of my life, and when I don't move everyday, it affects other aspects of my life, because while I'm walking, I'm doing other things that are really important: listening, praying, thinking, quiet.

PACE is the intensity that I walk. I walk at a comfortable pace of about 16 minutes for one mile. At this pace, I'm able to do the things that are most important, again: listening, praying, thinking, quiet.

When I increase my walking pace just a little bit to a 13 or 14 minute mile, I feel a difference. I'm breathing differently, I'm not able to think as clearly, and I then realize that I'm focused on the speed at which I'm walking.

I know there are people who can do this, while walking or running, but I've found for me it doesn't work.

The RHYTHM for me is movement, it's getting out on a trail or on a long walk, and it's something I fight for and work form. I need this rhythm in my life because of the value it brings me.

Having a fast PACE isn't important to me. I'm not trying to race anybody, and it's not just about getting a certain distance in every day.

BUT....

This is why PACE messes up RHYTHMS. When we're running from one thing to the next, when we're living at an unsustainable pace, it affects everything. Defining a healthy pace is really important.

Thus the quote: "Do things at your own pace." What's your PACE look like? What has it become?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Every moment is a fresh beginning." T.S. Eliot

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

It's August and this month I'm going to dive into the topic of REGRET. I don't know what the word REGRET triggers in you, but I want to drag you along with me this month by looking at some quotes on regret, sharing some resources, and just thinking about what that means in our lives.

Remember, you can always go back to see past posts and more positive themes that we've addressed on the website HERE.

But journey with me....

T.S. Eliot reminds us here of the simple truth, that "every moment is a fresh beginning." Aren't you glad for that?

Aren't you glad that we don't have to relive all of our mistakes?

Aren't you glad that we can start fresh?

Aren't you glad that sometimes we get to do things again and do them better?

Aren't you glad that we aren't defined by our past, but that we have the opportunity to redefine ourselves over and over again, learning as we grow, becoming more and more like the person God has created us and called us to be?

Aren't you glad?

We've been talking about REGRET this past month, and this will be the last post on this, and it's simply a reminder that you don't have to live being stuck in regret.

I recently listened to a podcast on Walt Disney and all of the struggles he had before he launch Disneyland, which turned out to be a major success, both here in Southern California and around the world.

There were many times that he could have quit, times where he put everything on the line, and to his story, he was able to see his dream become a reality.

There are many others who struggled over and over again, making mistake after mistake, wanting to quit, yet they kept going until something clicked.

I think the overarching reminder from this conversation with regret is to simply keep moving, don't let things paralyze you, realized that everyone makes mistakes and everyone struggles at one point or another.

You are not alone.

Today, what does it feel like to start fresh, to have a new beginning without looking back and comparing everything to what happened in your past?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Do it or don't do it - you will regret both." Soren Kierkegaard

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

It's August and this month I'm going to dive into the topic of REGRET. I don't know what the word REGRET triggers in you, but I want to drag you along with me this month by looking at some quotes on regret, sharing some resources, and just thinking about what that means in our lives.

Remember, you can always go back to see past posts and more positive themes that we've addressed on the website HERE.

But journey with me....

I'm don't want to dive into all of the teachings and perspectives of Soren Kierkegaard, but when I saw his words above, I agreed with him.

I remember a time when I was younger that I had to choose between 3 job offers. I did all the normal things that people should do, and I was really seeking peace in the decision we would make. Looking back, I think my biggest hesitation was REGRET. I was more worried about making the wrong decision, worried that I would regret the decision I made instantly, that I was PARALYZED for a moment.

Have you ever felt that? Completely stuck, unable to make a decision, unable to move forward. Fearful. Confused. Unsure.

That's what I was feeling and I went back and forth, landing on one job one day and another the next, weighing the pros and cons, praying for guidance while at the same time, leaning on my own instincts.

It was a really confusing time, until I was reminded of something my dad had encouraged me with...

I don't remember when he told me this, but he had challenged me to always focus on what I'm being called to, not what I might be running away from.

Remembering this changed my posture, and I've shared this with many people over the years.

When you play the "what if I make the wrong decision" game, you'll always be stuck, you'll always have regret, and you'll often fall back on the idea of "what if I had made a different decision".

I think this is what Kierkegaard was saying... either way, regret can creep in.

The difference for me is that I have someone who is leading me, and all I have to do is recognize His voice, put my faith in Him, and trust that He's going to lead me where He wants me to be.

In my crazy job selection process, Gina and I finally heard that voice clearly, and we made a decision that changed our lives. Some people thought we were crazy, others couldn't understand it, and at times we even doubted ourselves, but the call was clear. No regret.

That doesn't mean that things were perfect. If just means that we were in the right spot.

What do you do when you feel like there's no right decision and you're stuck? What helps you navigate through the process of coming to a decision?