Tag Archives: community

Craving for Community

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by in Community and Leadership, Friendship, LIFE Leadership, Relationships

≈ 12 Comments

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Within us all is a craving to belong. I don’t think any person goes through life saying, “I wish I was all alone.” That being said, community is a very important aspect to a person’s life. Of all the groups of people I have associated with, the LIFE business community, created by Orrin Woodward, George Guzzardo and five other leadership masterminds has to be the most special.

Florida '05From the time I was young I was connected to a community. It started at a young age where I associated with reading buddies, intramural sports, summer camps and rec leagues. Then it moved to study groups, varsity athletics, volunteer projects and social networking. From there it moved to employment groups, college athletics, bar league softball and winter rec sports. There has never been a time in my life where I wasn’t associated with some type of community group. While it was enjoyable and a great learning experience in the moment, it became very overwhelming because I was spinning plates trying to commit to so many different organizations. It also seemed that most of the groups I belonged to were for entertainment purposes and added very little value to my future.

It wasn’t until I was introduced to the LIFE business that I found a real community that added tremendous value to my life!

Kenosha open mtg with George GuzzardoI began associating at weekly meetings with people who had a common vision that aligned with a similar purpose to mine. These people were so different than what I was used to; positive, uplifting, motivated, loving and servant men and women. It was a culture shock when I first got around them because I wasn’t used to this type of environment. I was always so used to being around gossip, negativity and selfishness that I didn’t know if I should even trust this group. But it didn’t take long for me to adjust because in the process of figuring out if these people were really real, I was developing an addiction to the environment.

My addiction and craving turned into passion where I began to fall in love with the LIFE community.

For the first time in my life I had found my sense of belonging. Almost every other organization I was associated with prior made me adjust to who they were and in the LIFE business community I could finally discover who I was and be accepted for who I was while making personal changes in the process. In George Guzzardo’s article, Association, the 3rd C he says, “A community like this helps clarify our purpose. Associating with those who have a high standard of performance builds greater commitment to learning and changing.” I didn’t realize how much I needed to change and grow until I associated with people who were so much further along in the journey. I just wanted to model their character, servant heart and leadership skills.

I never could have imagined in my life I would be blessed to join a community like the LIFE business. It has given me proof that this connection was truly God ordained.

Sunday worship serviceMost communities I was used to being a part of left spirituality out. In fact, the only time I remember bringing God into my prior associations was when I was playing college basketball. Right before every game in the locker room my coach would get us in a circle  and we would all hold hands and say a prayer as a team. That was the first time I had experienced the word of God in a community setting. While the LIFE business doesn’t claim to be a religious organization, Orrin Woodward and the founders believe that God’s hand has blessed our community and by His grace and love we have been given a gift to share that blessing with others. And in the process, many people will discover and develop a deeper relationship with their Creator. I couldn’t imagine going through life without this community. I have been blessed with many friends and mentors who I love dearly and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world and I don’t believe there is anything else out there that compares to the LIFE community. I encourage you, if you are looking for that sense of belonging that has been the missing link in all your other associations, you will find it here in the LIFE business!

God Bless,

Kristen

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Never Underestimate the Power of Encouragement

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Inspirational, LIFE Leadership

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Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man.

The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.

Rossetti looked over them carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless but Rossetti was a kind man, he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The man was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti’s judgment.

The old man then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but asked him to look at a few more drawings.

Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. “These,” he said, “oh, these are good.”

“This young student has a great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement. He has a great future.”

Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved.

“Who is this fine young artist?” he asked. ”Your son?”

“No,” said the old man sadly.

“It is me  – 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up – too soon.”

Many of us believe that we are self motivated; that we don’t need that ‘rah rah’ positive encouraging stuff to accomplish great things. But think back to a time when you were the most inspired, committed, disciplined and successful at something. It could be a dance audition, an athletic tryout, a championship game, a race you signed up to run or a promotion you received at work. There are numerous examples I could list. What made you believe that you could do it? What influences helped you overcome the struggles it took to be successful in that experience?

Encouragement is a natural human characteristic that God built into each and every one of us. He built us to encourage others and to be encouraged. Many times we don’t recognize it because it is something so subconscious. But in the opposite direction think of a time when you weren’t encouraged; or when you were encouraged in a negative way. Peer Pressure can often fall under these lines.

What I have realized in the years associating with the-life-business community is that encouragement is displayed at every turn. I will be the first to admit that if I am running for a goal and my coach or mentor isn’t encouraging me and telling me, “You can do it,” I will doubt my ability to hit that goal. My belief wavers in myself and I digress in my activity and my motivation to do what it takes. If we are all honest with ourselves we too will admit that encouragement is a key component to success in any situation.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video on the power of encouragement – you will be inspired:

I love that this video can teach so many principles beyond just encouragement.  Matt, who has spastic cerebral palsy, was given the option to sit out field day at Worthington, Ohio’s Colonial Hills Elementary School, but he chose to run in an event instead, despite the challenges of his severe disability. How did this make you feel when watching it? As strong and as determined as Matt was in that race, I bet if his gym teacher and classmates weren’t cheering for him and encouraging him all the way to the end, he may have given up too soon; but instead Matt was able to experience victory because he was encouraged.

Orrin Woodward has set the example in the LIFE organization because he is the first to encourage people at every turn. Who have you encouraged today? What stories have you experienced in your own life that became victories because of encouragement? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings, Kristen