Quiet Whispers

I hate it. Sometimes it sneaks up on you out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s a song. Sometimes it’s a text. Sometimes it’s a commercial. Oh yeah, and its graduation time; that does it to me too. And sometimes your mind just goes there.... What do I hate? Tears.

Today, as I was driving in my car I heard a song that reminded me of my last five years. First, I started to sing with a smile. Next, quiet. Then I felt the anger inside my belly. And now my lip began to quiver. Dang it. I hate to cry. I feel like it shows I’m weak. But in actuality it’s a symbol of how much I care. We are still only 90 days out, and I still care. And---it sucks.

On a sunnier side, I do love my new job. I asked my mentor about six months ago, “How will I know when I have found my place?” His answer was simple. “Andrea. You will know. Your heart will whisper it to you.” Did you hear anything about tears in that phrase? Uh, no!?! Six week into this new role I drove home from work and BOOM---it hit me. I got all choked up at the stop light right in front of Dairy Queen. And--—they can see you in your car from the line. Where are my Hollywood sunglasses when I need them? Oh, that’s right. Justice sat on them. I had a moment, waiting on the light to turn green, and he was right! My heart told me things I’ve needed to hear for two years. The second thing it whispered was—you need a Blizzard—but I kept going. Phew…

I dusted off my clubs on a MONDAY to play in a golf outing. Holy smokes. One, I’m golfing. Two, it’s a workday. With the way I played I should have bought a lotto ticket. Pretty sure the Golden Eagles would have been proud. Felt like wearing my Letterman jacket to the after party dinner, buuuutttt I would have been a tad bit over dressed. Ha. Just kidding. That was my cocky husband talking. I was honestly super proud to not have embarrassed myself. I enjoyed the entire afternoon golfing with my favorite partner, my dad. Yep—that chokes me up right there. Some of my best memories in life are with my dad on the golf course. Yet another place, my heart whispers, is the right place to be… Justice met me in the garage when I got home. “Where’s your trophy?” Justice, I told you it was for fun. “Mom, I expected more, maybe next time. Now come upstairs and tell me where you lost shots.” Yep, that’s a coach’s kid for ya. Always wanting to get better and, of course, WIN!

Lastly, Justice had me mail a letter this week to Rory Mcilroy. One of the best golfers on tour right now. Seems like a great role model too. I took a peak at the letter before I licked the envelop. Because that’s what moms do, right. Justice says, “Dear Rory, I know you can win the Masters. I believe in you. Keep your head up. I am your biggest fan. Don’t let a bad round stop you from winning the next. Will you write me back? P.S. You better watch out, I’m practicing every day to beat you! Your friend, Justice” Talk about getting a life lesson from a nine year old. And again, in the quiet of my red Camry on Pearl Street while placing the stamp on the white envelop, I sobbed. I heard my heart whispering again. I must be doing something right….

Tristy---Does this kid look mean or what?

My Sweet Lil Blakley Jean--Wuv This Snuggle!

The Brave Ones

Coach and I are like kids at Christmas tonight. No, tomorrow is not a tropical vacation awaiting our arrival or a chance to win millions of dollars. Friday is LEADERCAST DAY! For those of you who don’t know what that is, let me explain…

Tomorrow a live web cast is broadcast

to 800 locations of a prominent leadership conference hosted in Atlanta. The Macomb location is hosted at The Crossing. The speaker line up is always amazing. I have went the last three years. I have laughed. I have cried. I have been moved beyond words and reflected deep within my aspiration. Every year I walk away saying that was exactly what I needed to fill my soul. This year I talked my soulmate into taking a personal day to fill his cup too. Let me just say, that cup will be a big gulp my friends. My pen is ready. My learning hat is on. I am ready to experience another astonishing line up of speakers. On a side bar, I have talked 5 other people into joining my posse for the cause; being a deepened leader. One of my favorite sayings is, “you don’t have to be THE leader, to be a leader.” You might have taken the leader out of my last job, but the leader is blazing on fire with passion today. I thank them for that fuel ignited to my inner groundbreaker. Your loss is my gain.

Speaking of gain, when I accepted my new position I was somewhat hesitant because I was an office of one. No one to lead. God has me scratching my head. Six weeks into my role I am leading more people than I have ever imagined and have had the opportunity to sit with folks I never dreamed of. Again, proving my point of you don’t have to be THE leader to be a leader.

The topic at Leadercast tomorrow is “The Brave Ones.” I’ll second that motion of being a leader requires bravery. How about David. Do you think it required some inside courageousness to stand before Goliath the Giant? Now Moses leading the people standing before the Red Sea. Yep, again fearlessness. What about Daniel spending the night in the Lion’s Den? I have to say that would require some real valiant. Do you think God equips his children, during times of need, to be brave? I’ve thought about this question often; especially lately. The world wants us to lean on material things to feel brave. Maybe that’s a big $60,000 SUV to hide behind the steering wheel of life or a black power suit faking the hand shake of business. God arms his people with the gift of bravery though prayer. When we acknowledge our fear of the situation to him, he honors us by offering a peace. Now I didn't say whine, I said acknowledge we are powerless without his harmony.

Peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river… Did you sing that in Sunday School? Think about that. A large fluid body of water flowing into a deeper channel. We have peace like a river and he is our waterway. Feeding into him flows all our terrifying moments right down the current. Next time you feel the need for bravery, grab your life jacket and just float down the river of peace. They don’t call it a lazy river for nothing. I want to float down mine with a Cherry Coke...