Thursday, December 31, 2015

One key to success for 2016.

A short time ago I had the opportunity to attend a ninetieth birthday celebration for a very nice woman. 
While we stood and eagerly listened to her humble reminiscing, her son asked her "what advice can you give us to help us to live a happy and successful life like yours?"  The words she spoke I will never forget, because they were so simple, powerful, and true. 
She said, "Respect others. Treat people the way you want to be treated, and it will take you a long way in life."
As I hung on her every word, I also noticed the gratefulness she embraced as she recognized the many blessings of her life.
What a positive and lasting impact this short time of celebration had on my life. 
May 2016 bring each of you blessing and inspiration.
-Luke


Monday, December 28, 2015

Three ways to love my kids (and others) more.

A few weeks ago I knelt in my laundry room and began to remove the cloth pieces to my son's car seat, as it was way over-due for a much needed cleaning.
 As I removed each layer, I wondered how, (and what), could so many things that I can't even now identify get crushed and crammed into every available open space, and then accumulate on the bottom of a car seat?!
I caught myself being ashamed in thinking "I hope he knows how much I love him because I'm cleaning his car seat!" 
Why was I having this thought?  He's three, I'm his Daddy, I'm supposed to do things like clean his car seat!  But in that moment, all I could think about is, "I don't know what that multi-color sticky blob is, and I really don't want to peel it off of there!" 
But I did it, I only complained a little to my wife Bridget (as she chuckled), and I made up my mind that I was gonna be intentional about showing my kids, and others, the love that they deserve. 
Here are the three different ways I thought I could put this into action.
1.  Love without expectation.  I need to lay aside my own expectations, wants, and needs and love unconditionally. 
2. Laugh more. This is just a win-win situation.
3. Stop taking life so seriously. We can experience and enjoy life to the fullest when we let our guard down. 
I realize this makes me a lot more vulnerable, and I think that's right where I need to be.
Until next time.
-Luke