ir a principal |
Ir a lateral
On February 21, Sonia and I drove our two 6 year old Weimaraners, Kingdom and Dominion, to a placement program to find them their new home.
This was a decision that we'd been back and forth on for almost 2 years, and we finally decided that it was the best move for our family and the boys.
They were fantastic dogs, and truly my best friends. We simply realized with the pace of our lives and the prospects of a future Stapleton, that they deserved a home that would better suit their needs.
It was without a doubt, one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I trust God for their best and I believe that they're bringing others an abundance of joy, just as they've brought us.
8 years ago today I married my dream-girl.
I know it's cliche, but I am more enthralled and entranced by her today than the day we met.
She is a princess, a role model, a fantastic mother and my absolute best friend.
Not one day goes by that I don't thank God for His extravagant gift to me.
Sonia is my constant reminder to never settle, and certainly, never sell God short.
"He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think"
Ephesians 3:20
Here's to many, many more amazing years!
So of course I'm watching American Idol, along with you and everyone else in the world, and the most entertaining aspect of the show to me is the criticism from Simon. The reason it's entertaining is the fact that I'm not the one being criticized.
Something that I'm currently working on in myself is my own critical nature. It's so easy to drift into making fun of other people for mistakes they make or their shortcomings. Most of us are critical by nature, so we probably don't even consider the fact that it's not a great habit to have.
Instead of dealing out criticism for everyone I come in contact with, I purpose to seek out great qualities that they possess. This isn't easy, but it's caused me to have a greater appreciation for the people in my life and I've become a lot less cynical and negative.
Give it a shot, and I promise you'll experience the same positive results that I have.
"Empathy is the final stage of true maturity."
Leadership roles can often be a huge source of insecurity.
"Do they respect me?"
"What are they saying when I'm not around?"
"Am I living up to their expectations?"
It's a difficult place to be in, but trying to 'keep up appearances' doesn't help anyone.
At some point we're taught, we just simply assume, that leaders should never give any sign that they are "unaware" of anything. So we futilely try and act like we know everything, never admitting that we may have some areas outside of our expertise.
A more effective and less frustrating way of leading is to do less telling, and do more asking. Ask questions of the people around you. Yes, it may be admitting that you don't know something, but no one likes a know-it-all anyway.
If you aren't sure of something, ask. If you are pretty sure of something, ask. If you are absolutely, positively sure of something...still ask. Asking = including and including is good.
