Meaningful Mondays

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl “Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt "Joy begins where comparison ends." – Lee Brower

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." --John Wooden "Things turn out for the people who make the best of the way things turn out." --John Wooden "The meaning of life is to give life meaning." -- Viktor Frankl

"Respect isn't earned from self-sacrifice. It is learned through self-respect." Genuine respect - both from yourself and others - begins with honoring your own worth first. Respect yourself first; everything else is attracted to that strength. CHALLENGE: "What is one small choice I can make today -- when no one else is watching -- that strengthens the evidence of my self-respect?"

“The crowds on earth, they soon forget, the heroes of the past, they cheer like mad until you fall. And that’s how long you last.” "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." - Coach John Wooden The world praises performance. God celebrates presence. The world gives you a spotlight. God invites you to serve in the shadows. - Lee Brower Let's stack the moments that really count. So, here’s the challenge this week: What am I honoring above the chair rail of my life? What small act of character, compassion, or connection could I do today, even if no one else sees it?

Potential is the seed, motion is what makes it grow. "Just" helps us get into motion. It turns resistance into willingness. It brings you into the "NOW". It is how "Arrows Out" begins: Just notice. Just ask; Just give. What is "just" one thing you can do today that will create ripples of impact?" Just...!

"You don’t become great in spite of failure. You become great through it." ... just ask Larry’s little brother.” “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” - Michael Jordan “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.” - Helen Keller “Trials are an evidence of God’s trust in you. He gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion, which polish you for your everlasting benefit.” - Elder Richard G. Scott

"WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, YOU BRING ABOUT. WHAT YOU BROUGHT ABOUT, YOU THOUGHT ABOUT." “Acts of kindness create a ripple effect of neurochemical uplift—benefiting the giver, receiver, and even the silent witness.” RECEIVING kindness can: Increase oxytocin, which helps regulate serotonin and dopamine. Reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), which helps rebalance neurotransmitters like serotonin. Lead to feelings of social connection, safety, and worth, which are correlated with serotonin boosts and immune function. GIVING kindness releases: Dopamine (pleasure/reward) Oxytocin (connection/love hormone) Serotonin (well-being, mood) These positive neurochemicals reduce inflammation and boost immune cell production. WITNESSING kindness can cause a release of oxytocin, leading to downstream effects on serotonin and immune function. The observer experiences what's called 'moral elevation'--which includes a sense of warmth and inspiration. This is associated with Heart rate variability improvements, cortisol reduction

"...everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Even though he said it - he proved it wrong-- because he didn't believe it. "Struggles are stop signs -- they are stepping stones." - Lee Brower "Our response to struggle determines our future." This week's Empowering Question: How can I see today's struggles as stepping stones rather than roadblocks?

Too many people live their lives hoping Einstein is in the room when the tough questions come. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” — Socrates “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” — John F. Kennedy “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” — Albert Einstein

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” "We tend to become like those whom we admire." — Thomas S. Monson

How do you measure your success? By chasing the next achievement? "If you are paddling only for yourself, don't be surprised when no one else wants to get in your boat." "You don't see rivers measuring themselves by the size of their banks. They measure themselves by the lives they nourish." "Your horizon should move as you move. That's how you know you are growing." “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

"Every man has a defining point in his character where success or failure begins. It is the moment he makes a firm choice and never looks back." - William George Jordan. Don't let your ESSENTIAL be at the mercy of the important. Knowing your 'ESSENTIAL' gives you the power to say "no" to even the very important.

Desires dictate Priorities. Priorities structure our Choices. Choices determine the course of our lives. "The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities." – Stephen R. Covey Step 1: Review your list of desires. Step 2: Choose ONE thing from each of these four quadrants. Select the one thing that, when accomplished, will have the greatest effect on your other listed desires: - Core (Faith, Family, Health, Well-being) – If prioritized, what one desire would strengthen everything else in this area? - Experience (Learning, Competencies, Alliances) – What experience, learning, or association will create the most significant long-term impact? - Contribution (Arrows Out, Compassion, Impact on Others) – What act of service or generosity will amplify your influence? - Financial (Dynamic Value, Nurturing Connections) – What financial priority, when accomplished, will support everything else? Step 3: Reflect on these four priorities. When you achieve your top 4 priorities, what is

We all have an “Obituary Moment” waiting for us. A moment when we suddenly see clearly the ripples of our choices. But do we have to wait for an accident, tragedy, or mistake to have it? What if we created our own Obituary Moment—right now? The 'What do I Really Want" exercise to expand your authentic desires and creativity. Use paper and a pen - set timer for 10 min.- write without judgment, let it flow... everything you really want. Look at it through the lenses of: Core Assets: Faith, Family, Health, Character Experience Assets: Moments, Growth, Learning, Alliances, Competencies Contribution Assets: Arrows Out™ (about others), Impact, Compassion, Giving Financial Assets: Value Creation, Resources, Stability, Security - Enduring Wealth™ not only the wealth you accumulate - but the wealth you circulate. Do this exercise several times. Start over each time and see what your mind does. It only takes 10 minutes.

“Clarity isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about knowing what we value and what we’re working toward." "Clarity of vision drives the courage to make bold choices." "When we’re clear about our priorities, decisions become simpler. Without clarity, even small choices can feel overwhelming."

"Desires dictate our priorities; priorities shape our choices; choices determine our actions." - Dallin H. Oaks Would you agree that everything we do influences future generations? Many decisions are aspirational: "I want to be in good shape, spend more time with family, or grow my business." But choice happens in the NOW. The simple choice of hitting snooze or staying up late can conflict with our worthy desires or aspirations. Let's go Upward, Onward, Outward, one choice at a time.

"The enemy of thriving is arriving." - Lee Brower "Vision without motion is frustration. Don't let the finish line rob you of the joy in the journey."

"What does how I feel have to do with it? I was focused on what I did and how I could correct it." - Kobe Bryant Always make your future bigger than your past - Dan Sullivan Knowing what I know now, if I had the opportunity to re-live this moment, what could I do to make it even better? "Failures and victories alike are tools for shaping us. Let's make 2025 a year where we embrace growth, create ripples of impact, and make our future bigger than our past." - Lee Brower

"Do you want to be articulate and dangerous or vague and useless? - Jordan Petersen The ESSENTIAL tool for Th'rive in '25 is the VOCA Framework or mindset. Make it a daily practice! VUCA = Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous vs. VOCA = Visionary, Ownership, Creates, Action Articulation is no longer optional -- it is essential! It is the bridge from VUCA to VOCA. Articulation bridges a leader's intent with their audience's understanding.

The Christmas Day soccer game in No Man's Land. The Spirit of Christmas triumphed over conflict and fear, reminding us that light, hope, and love can unite even the most divided. "Christmas reminds us to think of one another. We appreciate our families more. We renew contacts with old friends. We rise above the barriers that separate us at other times of the year. Strangers exchange greetings without embarrassment. Kindliness and consideration make a comeback. The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us." - Dallin H. Oaks