Relation-Ships !!

Come aboard mate and let set ours sails to voyage toward our goals. Each one of the valuable relationships we have in our lives are like ships sailing across a great ocean.  We have a Family ship, a Best Friend Ship, A Boss ship, an Employee ship, a Health ship, a Financial Ship, a Morale, Welfare and Entertainment ship and many other ships. Each requires your integrity, communication and actions.  In some way all of these ships are going in the same basic direction. When one of these ships starts to divert in drastically different direction it jeopardizes your dedication to the other ships.




Whenever we ignore our responsibility to anyone of these ships it can possibly change the course and destiny to another ship. As a leader if you ignore your responsibility to your employees they most likely will not go the extra mile for you. If you do not invest in them and develop them to become leaders instead of followers they will be unable to cover you and provide the flexibility you need to allow you to branch out and do bigger and better things. As a result your Boss ship and Company ship will suffer. Overtimes the Boss ship and Company ship may come to the decision that your bearings are not inline with their course. A surprise invitation off the ship may be the result.


If you give too much attention to a specific vessel, again you may be taking valuable time away from another ship that requires your attention. If you spend too much time on your Work or Morale Welfare and Entertainment ship dedicating too much of yourself to a job or a hobby, you may find that the Family ship, Wife ship, Boyfriend, or Girlfriend ship will began to suffer. Those ships needs daily attention, quality time and acknowledgement or their importance in your life. Without the daily attention and quality time the neglected areas of the ship will call for repairs. Sometimes if they go long enough without attention the ship may be beyond repairs. If you ignore some ships long enough you may find that another Captain has taken over the ship.

Regular communication with your ships is a requirement. If you do not communicate with your ships they will feel ignored, neglected and not cared for. Although their outside hulls may sparkle inside there is damage. Communicate and check on your ships.


Integrity is key. If anyone of your ships has reason to question your integrity it may give it reason to steer off course, elect a new Captain, or do something spiteful while you're still aboard ship.


Always take required action concerning your ships. Don't procrastinate when it comes to taking action. Procrastination is usually fueled by fear. Fear should never  be the adviser to the Captain of any ships.


Warning ! Never become the Captain of alluring ships that are not in sync with the direction of your other ships. Ships like The Affair, The Addiction, and The Drugs will offer you excitement, thrills, make your heart pound for new found experiences. These ships will make you feel like you are in control of them. Overnight you'll find yourself in rough waters you are unable to navigate out of. Before you know it you have become a very low ranking shipmate, falling to the demands of a promising ship that has no heart.  It will demand your dedication and promise you what your flesh desires. Meanwhile the ships you once said were most important to you are drifting off course and away from you.


Don't find an excuse. Find a way  to be the Captain of the ships that are most important to you !!  Your happiness, health, and prosperity of those you care for depend on it.


Does someone you know need help with improving their leadership skills in order to become a better Captain of their relation-ships ?


Do you need help with accountability of your relation-ships ?


How would things be better if you or someone you know gained the skills to becoming a better Captain of their Relation-ships ?

Imagining you or those within a group or organization you belong to with better leadership skills to becoming a better Captain of their Relation-ships.  let's talk, if the outlook is truly important to you.
 
You may have tried the excuses. Now let's try the solution.



email Luke Motivates at  lukemotivates@gmail.com

OPEN YOUR MIND WITH MISSY OHE !!

When we think about our opportunities and challenges too often we focus on the negative things that can happen. We think about everything that may go wrong, how much money we may lose, who may not support us, what deals may fall through,  and who may not show up .

We allow these messages, thoughts and negative visions to run rampant in our mind.  Like wild trolls they run to every corner of our mind posting up negative signs “STOP !” ,“Don’t Go !”,“ Stay!”, “Danger”, ”You’re not good enough!” “You’re too old!”, ”Who do you think you are?”.  Soon our vision, dreams and hopes are drained of energy, because they are diverted with negativity and despair every time bringing them to life through action is discussed.

We even began to trust these trolls and employ them as a board of advisory whenever it’s time to make a move toward our goals. We try to validate the minutes captured at the pity party and misery meeting we attend with this trolls. We do this by seeking negative justification in our mistakes, failures, or upbringing.

FIRE THESE TROLLS !! Their wages are your hopes, energy, dreams, aspirations, goals and happiness. You can no longer afford to pay them.  They are working over- time and demanding more benefits.

I look toward people like Missy Ohe (pronounced “O”) when the trolls in my head start talking.  Missy Ohe  is a radio host, keynote speaker ,and John Maxwell Trainer.  She surrounds herself with motivation, talks about inspiring topics, promotes goal achievement and encourages us to make a difference.  Every Sunday morning at 8:30AM, you can tune into the Missy Ohe Show on Your QFM 104.9FM. Her show features a variety of different speakers covering a wide array of positive topics.

As a speaker Missy Ohe often focuses on us enjoying our journey. Yes, we will have challenges, fall down and make mistakes. However we will also make progress, have new experiences, enjoy success, and meet new people. We will encounter some trolls, but we will meet some angels too.

Missy won’t leave you lingering alone with motivation and no way to navigate your course. As a fellow John Maxwell Team member Missy offers experienced and proven coaching and training to assist individuals, groups and organizations achieve their goals while empowering themselves and adding value to others.

LET’S FIRE THOSE TROLLS, and get moving on our journey !!  We are here for a reason. We have a purpose, and there is much more to life than what those negative trolls are offering.

Visit Missy Ohe's site at http://theohepenmind.com/

“Don’t find an excuse. Find a way.”

LUKE MOTIVATES

GET BACK UP and LIVE LIFE WITH JOY !!

It’s that time of the year when most people have abandoned their new year’s resolution. The gym and fitness population has significantly dropped, and  you can easily find a treadmill, or elliptical machine to get on.

So what if you took a break from your goal. Who said you can’t start back up.  We fall and we get back up. We get knocked down and we get back up. We slip and we get back up. That’s life.  Each time we fall we learn what caused us to fall and we avoid it. Each time we get knocked down we learn what caused us to get knocked down so we avoid that punch the next time. It’s a learning process. What if babies stop getting up because they fell while learning how to stand or walk ? We will never know, because they never stop getting up !

There is joy in realizing that we aren't just being knocked down, slipping, and falling down, but that we're also being empowered by the knowledge we are learning about ourselves and the challenge we are facing.

In order to fully experience that joy we need to set ourselves up for success.  In the book Live Life With Joy by Joy Pearson, Joy talks about Flat Tires. Joy reminds us that “giving up on your goal because of one setback is like slashing your other three tires because you got a flat."

Don’t avoid your opportunities or give up on your goals just because things are getting tough, the road turns, a road block occurs, or the weather changes.  Take a different route, stay determined, weather the storm.  Joy Pearson says “The biggest issue is not that you have the flat, but whether you fail to change the tire. “  Get out and change that tire !!  Call a friend, or reach out to someone who can assist you in changing that tire in your life so you can get back on the road.  Don’t sit forever on the side of the road of life watching everyone going toward their destination.  Do something to address the problem and get back on the road.

To experience the joy’s in life we must be willing to overcome the challenges that stand between us and those joy’s. Joy Pearson says there’s always going to be traffic. Sometimes that traffic will be heavy, congested, and slow. Others times it will be free flowing and moving just the way we want it. Just because the traffic gets nasty doesn't mean we change our destination. Just because the GPS stops working doesn't mean we cancel our appointment.  Just because the price of gas goes up doesn't mean we stop driving. Our destination is the goal. Never let the bumps in the road change your determination for your destination.

Please check out Joy Pearson's book Live Life with Joy. It is inspiring and packed with stories we can all relate to. 

Top Flight Security Blessing Blockers

In the movie "Friday After Next" The characters Craig and Day-Day have jobs as strip mall security officers. They are hilarious but extremely awful at their job. Day-Day goes out of his way to try and use his so called authority to restrict the movement of the mall patrons. Every attempt brings him conflict and misery.


Some of us are Top Flight Security blessing blockers.




Often times for no reason at all, or for reasons that weaken our positive purpose, we hold back on information, opportunities, and connections that would aid in blessing someone else.


Maybe we aren't a  normally negative person, but for some reason we refuse to put forth the effort to see someone else blossom. Deep down inside there is a feeling in many of us that we don't feel like seeing others we know succeed, especially during times when we are struggling.


There is a devilish function that lies within many people who appreciate seeing others in misery, struggle or pain in order to not feel as bad about their own situation. Knowing that they are not alone in their frustration brings them a disturbing kind comfort.


This type of thought is rampant among people no matter the religion, color, race, sex, or political party. People love people like themselves. People love reflections of themselves. People for the most part do not like to be alone. People do not appreciate anything that may shed negativity on them.  On many occasions people feel that they look bad when others are succeeding, or doing well and they themselves are suffering from their own excuses, procrastination, bad decisions or just bad luck. Therefore anytime they can prevent the creation of those negative feelings within themselves by hindering another's success either through action or passiveness they will do so.


However, the universe is a funny place. It has been proven over and over again that no matter how much you stand in someone's way, refuse to assist them, or stand by watching but not helping ...if that person is destined to be blessed, that blessing will come to them with or without you.


In addition it pays greatly to give freely, because this same universe has a way of returning what is given. In supply and logistics it is a known rule that any inventory you hold on to must be accounted for,  warehoused, and accrues a fee to maintain it.  Well, those negative feelings of stress, misery, animosity, jealousy, greed or contempt are emotions that run rampant in the warehouse of our hearts and minds. Keeping track of those "damaged goods"  is like carrying around a wet paper bag of groceries with heavy spoiled products. It's a burden we created, insist on carrying, and pay for daily.


This year, 2015, bless somebody ! Give freely. Give because you can. Do not expect anything back. Free yourself of the "you versus me" attitudes. There is no reason to compete or compare because each one of us are unique and special.


Feel good that you are able to contribute to someone else. Acknowledge the creativity that can come through you when you create ways of giving, even when you were so sure you couldn't.


A greater you is a giving you.


Don't find an excuse. Find a way."

Are You Hungry For Something NEW In 2015 ?

  We want change. We want our situations to improve. We want brighter days. However the gravitational pull of the habits we are use to, the people we are comfortable with, and environments we are use to being in seems to hold us so tightly that we remain bonded to them. Our minds constantly think about changing or leaving but our physical movements, like our commutes, conversations, hangout spots, reading and visual entertainment rarely changes. So the result is.... we do not change.


This week my daughter and I were out, and decided to venture away from familiar restaurants and find some where new to eat.  We found a small new restaurant away from all the rest of the stores in historical down Fredericksburg, Virginia. In a historic house made in to a restaurant we found Darby O'Sullivan's. The restaurant had only been open for 2 months. We knew nothing about it. Me and my daughter looked at each other and decided to try it.


We could have stuck with an establishment we were familiar with. We could have remained in our comfort zone. We could have accepted what we have always known, and refused to grow.

We were extremely impressed with the 7 BBQ sauces the waiter brought out to us...Kansas City, Memphis, Bourbon, Root Beer, sweet and spicy, spicy maple peach, and regular BBQ. I salivated like a dog when the generously piled pulled pork sandwich came out, with the homemade hush puppies, potato salad and bake beans. Oh boy !! 


Before each bite I put a different sauce on the meat exposed at the top of my sandwich. What an experience ! My tongue was on a joy ride. Surprising the Root Beer sauce was very good ! I was enjoying my meal. I wasn't just eating it, I was experiencing it. I bit in to each hush puppy with delight. ! No fresh out of a cardboard box and thrown in to the fryer taste here. Homemade !


I couldn't believe the crispiness, freshness and large portion of fish and chips my daughter received !! It was like eating from your Grandma's kitchen. I'm still wondering how my daughter put away that much food. She usually complains and comments with negativity about almost anything. When she had nothing but accolades about her meal I knew it wasn't just me. Darby O'Sullivan's is a winner !!!


This was just a simple restaurant experience and quality family time with my daughter. Just  imagine what can happen in life when step out of our comfort zone in bigger ways. It all starts with something small. What are we cheating ourselves out of when we refuse to break free from that gravitational pull of everything we are so used to. What EXCITEMENT, what GREATNESS, what JOY, what EMPOWERMENT, and what FREEDOM is out there waiting for you ?


It can be yours if you are just willing to break free. Try something NEW today !!


A new friend


A new restaurant


A new work out spot


A new class


A new vacation spot


A new job


A new hobby


A new relationship


a new position


a new neighborhood


You could possibly experience a new life !!


Darby O'Sullivans

• 303 Facquier St
• Fredericksburg, Va

The Happiness Slave Trade

  

In John Maxwell's book  "Today Matters" he says "The Thoughts in your mind will always be more important than the things in your life." What a powerful and impactful statement. Each day we make decisions on how we spend our time. We make a conscious effort to decide who to establish relationships with and who to discontinue spending time with. We decide where we will spend our time working, relaxing and living.  Each one of these decisions have a strong affect on our thoughts.


How do you feel when you spend time at a place you don't want to be ? How do you feel when you're in the company of some one who upsets you the majority of the time or you don't care for?   These people and places that we immediately think of bring about emotions of stress, aggravation, anger, sadness, depression, fear, and discontent.


Despite how we feel about these people and environments too many of us CHOOSE on a daily basis to spend our time in these environments and with these people.  Some of us go to places of employment that we dread going to. We wake up in the morning and drag ourselves to these places of employment we dislike. Immediately our emotions are poisoned with negativity. The traffic appears more overwhelming than if we were going else where. Our veins seem to pump with impurities that make our fingers grip the steering wheel with enough intensity to separate the soul from the body if it were someone's neck.  Our lungs take in oxygen but mix with an invisible element of tension and disturbance that intensify how we feel. Now we are not only feeling the negativity, we are
unknowingly emitting it.


Others of us are willingly re-inviting our selves each day in to the presence of people who have harmed, hurt, betrayed, or mistreated us. When we are away from them we feel a great sense of relief. On our way to see them we strategize on how WE can make the situation better by going above and beyond, not pissing them off, staying out of their way, being precaution, or not saying anything when they act inappropriately.


What kind of thoughts are we creating in our mind when subject ourselves to such treatments and environments ? Some of us feel extremely overwhelmed, stressed out, on the brink of loosing it, mentally enslaved, or even suicidal. Pressure busts pipes. When the pressure is too much we seek to immediately eliminate the pain. Sometimes the release measures we spontaneously choose are not safe for us or others.


When we are stressed, the money no longer has the value it once had or brings the happiness we thought it would. The expensive house and nice neighborhood no longer enchants and welcomes us when turn in to our cult-de-sac. The luxury vehicle not longer excites us or provides the driving experience it once did when our mind is distracted by a lack of peace of mind, and a level of dissatisfaction that only a higher power could understand.


We have the power to influence our thoughts by placing ourselves in places and among people who support the positivity and happiness we desire.  We are empowered to choose and change. A person lacking material wealth but peace of mind can smile and go about their day, in way that would make a rich man with worries on the brink of a nervous breakdown envious.


What courageous decision are you willing to make in 2015 that will separate you from places and people that bring you down and instead connect you with people and places that uplift you and support your happiness ?

The Power of Our Words

We are often very aware of how the words of others affect us. The way they raise our emotions. The way a few simple words can lift our spirits and have us mentally floating in bliss all day. Or maybe the way some words linger in our mind like the tragic scene from an accident. At times someone's words can be like a crippling poison that paralyzes our ambition, disrupts our focus, and forever deforms us like crushed aluminum foil, that never can be returned to its original smoothness without the crinkles. Sometimes the right words can seem like a steroid that charges our spirit with motivation and inspiration, and energizes us to accomplish things we procrastinated doing or just didn't have the courage to do.

If words could be traced by a computer as they enter our ears and minds we would see powerful colors with intense shades and hues. We would see everything from pitch onyx black, to bright Sunkist orange, or a relaxing Carolina blue that was suddenly pierced by a crimson red as ran from our head and transitioned to our heart.

They aren't slaps, kicks, punches, kisses, caresses, or hugs but the way words affect us they might as well be sometimes. We are so aware of how the words of others fall down on us like rain. We wait for them, expect them, are surprised by them, uplifted by them, dumbfounded by them and even mentally frozen in time by them.


When the energy of the words overwhelm us, and overflows within us, we will often discharge how they make us feel through our mouths. Often times with more emotional articulation than intelligence we will discharge an arsenal of verbal weaponry intended to damage and disrupt the emotions of a another.


Sometimes we plot and plan and choose wisely the right words to inspire, cheer up, manipulate, convince, corrupt or dismantle the spirit of another. Other times we are foolishly unaware of how a casual "you look nice" livens the heart, or how a nonchalant  "no" pours like water and outs a barely lit candle.


I have learned over time, how harsh and hurtful my words can come across to others, especially loved ones, even when I have no intention of hurting them. Often times I feel so misunderstood.  A perceived harmless email, casual conversation or remark often packs the power of a round house right punch when I thought it was coming across as a firm grasp on the shoulder. Obviously there is much work to be done on my choice of words and the delivery of them.


I'm sure you are aware of how the words or others affect you. Have you ever thought how your words no matter how casual, affect others ?


Please share your thoughts.