This is a special episode.  Number 100.  So let’s celebrate!  Celebrate this milestone.  And even more important, celebrate you.  For showing up.  Investing in yourself.  Engaging with big questions, little questions, and in-between questions.  We're not just celebrating today.  We’re also looking at three key principles we’ve explored together in these last 99 episodes.  And you know what?  We’ve only just begun.

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Feature Segment – We’ve Only Just Begun

Today’s Quote

Imagine a world where everyone believes they are created with love to create in love.  –Kathleen Thompson

Feature Segment – We’ve Only Just Begun

We’ve explored a lot together in the 99 episodes before this one.  Big and small questions.  Questions like “Why am I here?”  “What’s so great about beans?”  or “How can I make great decisions?”

Today, we’ll focus on three themes that have come up again and again.  That are important enough to remind you (and me) of again today.

Be an Artisan.

Imagine you’re God.  You’re the embodiment of love and creativity, and you haven’t created anything yet.  What would you make that shows your character?  You might just do what he did – make humans with the same ability and desire to create.  And that’s exactly what he did.  Creativity is built deep in your soul.

You can see it in children.  They say, “Here.  I made this.”

Then we grow older.  Things get in the way.  And yet, creating – being an Artisan – is where we find the most meaning.  When we create for and with one another.

Erwin McManus says this in his book, The Artisan Soul: “The most important work of art is the life that we create.”

Imagine right this minute – what could living an Artisan life look like for you?  In your family?  Work life?  Anything else you do?  Does it feel like freedom?  Joy?  Adventure?  A lot of work?  Yes. And.  That and more.  Living an Artisan life is worth it.

Transformation takes intentional action.

Sometimes part of us has to transform to become an Artisan.  Yet, transformation only happens when you set the intention.  And follow up that intention with purposeful action.

If you believe in your worth – believe you are called to be an Artisan and create art for others, it’s time to put your intention behind it.  And then take action.  Some to consider:

1. Have you embraced the truth that you’re created to create? What does that look like in your life right now?
2. What intention would you like to set today, and is there one action you can take to head in the direction?
3. How would you like to invest in yourself? Is there one thing you’d like to start working on?  Figure out what will help you grow – what will make you uncomfortable – and do that.  Even if it costs you.  Especially if it costs you.  What does it cost to NOT do the thing?

Change is constant

If you’ve been with me for any length of time, you’ve heard me talk about quite a few changes in 4 years.

During that time, I had four different managers, was in 3 different groups, and created 39 versions of the same presentation to convince senior management to invest in a $40M project.  Now I don’t have a manager at all.  Or, more correct, I’m my own manager.

I also got hit by a hit-and-run driver in a stolen car, so my car was totaled.  I celebrated 2 college graduations of my friend Ruth’s children, and 2 weddings of my friend Sarah’s children.  My mom had 2 hip replacements, and my sister shattered her ankle.

Yep.  Nothing stays the same.  Time keeps going and so does change.  It’s important to not only accept, but also embrace that change.  Say “Yes. And” as life throws curveballs.  Like – yes this happened.  And what can I learn from it?  What can I do now?

Remember it’s supposed to be this way.  Change.  Discomfort.  Challenge.  Even pain.  It's how life works.

You have what it takes to make something beautiful.  We’ve only just begun, you and I.  Here’s to new beginnings.

What would you like to begin today?  Celebrate today?  Leave a comment.

P.S., Resources to help you invest in yourself

Pastors and Teachers:  Voiceology, by my voice coach, Roger Love.  Here's a free video to get a preview.
Business Owners:  Clockwork, by Mike Michalowicz
Leaders:  Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Find Your Voice:  Voice Coaching by me