Leadership Learned from Rocky

I must confess, I am a big Rocky fan!
Not as in rocky road ice cream but Rocky Balboa, the boxer played in the ‘Rocky’ movies by Sylvester Stallone.
rockyThe writers of this champion-birthing series crafted Rocky’s journey to make us love him and deeply relate to the personal ups and downs of an undeniable leader in his boxing world.
I was caught up and inspired again by “Creed”, the 7th movie in the ‘Rocky’ series where Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) finds himself training his former rival and friend, Apollo Creed’s son as a young boxer.

In the movie, Rocky is old and out of shape. He is looked on fondly by many as once a great fighter and leader but not anymore.

What he doesn’t realize, at the time, is that though a leader’s body may age, their heart does not. (more…)

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Mom's Well-Crafted Life

Mom PicMonkey CollageA Well-Crafted Life always ends in loss for those that you love. When your days on this earth are over, your Well-Crafted Life comes alive in the hearts and minds of those that are dealing with the grief of missing you.
Grief in us is often cradled by the legacy that our loved one has left.
Recently, the one that birthed in me the desire to live a well-crafted life went home to be with the Lord.  My Mom!
She crafted her life up until the very end and her last breath.  She was amazing in how she loved and lived in her life.  But in her last days, she was still demonstrating the keys to a Well-Crafted Life.

6 Keys to A Well-Crafted Life

Sacrifice – AWCL (a well-crafted life) will be full of sacrifice, but not the kind that makes everyone uncomfortable but just the opposite.  All of mom’s life, including her last days, was lived as a sacrifice for those she loved and those that loved her.  Her sacrifice was so warm and inviting that it made you want to be around her and share in whatever time she had left. (more…)

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Through the Years: A Look Back

At this time of year, pull out your pictures and let them take you on a journey of fun, family, friends, tears and laughter.  Pictures can minister to us in ways that words cannot. I remember... My Shirley Temple doll I got at Christmas. The love of a husband that enjoyed Christmas (still miss ya, Honey). A daughter that was and still is the meaning of JOY year round. A GREAT friend that loves your family as much as they love you! Family that knows how to have fun, give love and laugh! Holding the hand of my Mom never gets old even when we do! A Dad and Grandfather that can be as silly as any child! A make a gift from God's gift to me because He loves me. My two pillars of encouragement. Sister & Daughter I…

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How 5 Leaders Changed My Life

People come into our life for a reason. God uses people to bless our lives and to bring change into our lives. We need each other, no matter who we are.  This song, by Hezekiah Walker, speaks to this so well, if you want to take a listen.
people
It is so important that we stop from time to time and remember how people have impacted our life. Today, I want to share with you five people I am blessed to have met.

5 Leaders That Changed My Life (more…)

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7 Things in 7 Years Before Age 70: A Legacy Strategy

Age is such a fluid thing.  Sometimes age is very important, like waiting to be old enough to drive, drink, vote, or to be taken seriously by adults.  But the age itself is not important. It is what the age permits or supports as changes in our lives.  Right?
Scottish highlands
If we did not have age boundaries, how important would age be?  When I turned thirty-five, my business mentor told me that financial success for a career in that company was that your wage was at least $1000.00 per year of age.  So at thirty-five, I needed to make $35,000.00 to be considered successful. Fortunately, I was successful! (more…)

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