What You Don't Know Does Hurt You

   Hi Friends! Ever realize you don't know what you don't know? Seems kind of straight forward, doesn't it? But we tend to forget, to think we know it all, or at least that we've got a handle on certain subjects. But I think more often than not, the more we know, the more we know that we don't know. (Say that five times fast.) 

  Recently I was confronted by this in a subject I consider myself to be pretty fluent in. I'm a very spiritual person. I was raised in a strict Christian household, attending a Christian church and a private Christian school where doctrine and theology were a part of the everyday curriculum. Not only that, but I've been reading my Bible on an almost daily basis since I was 12. And I continually read and listen to speakers on this subject. You could say that I've had two and half decades of intense education on the Bible and Christianity. Now, this isn't to say I know it all. I know that I don't. But I did feel like I knew all the basics. I've heard the stories, a million times over, and if someone mentions a verse, I can usually pinpoint what book of the Bible it's in quickly. I'm well versed in Scripture and theology. (Pun intended.) So, this week, I was completely surprised when I picked up a book and discovered there was an entire section of basic Christianity (Christianity 101, if you will) that I knew nothing about. 

  Right about now, you may be wondering, if we don't know that we don't know, how can we ever know? I know, right. But here's the thing. We have to stay curious. And we have to maintain a childlike mind. If we want to continually learn and grown, then we have to approach things with a fresh and inquiring mindset. We have to be willing to look at things as though we've never seen them before. And this requires a bit of humility. When we think we have nothing left to learn, we are in for serious trouble. But if we keep an open mind, believing there is something for us to learn in everything and everyone, we will find there are new things to be discovered all around us. 

  Jim Kwik talks about this idea in his book, Limitless. He says that one of the key things we need to do to learn is to forget. Seems counter intuitive, right? But what he means is, we have to forget what we already think we know so we can make room for what we don't know. This week, explore the world with a fresh mindset. Look for opportunities to learn everywhere, even in places where you think you know it all. You might be surprised to find there's another level for you to grow to. Keep a curious mind. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W. 

Mindset

   Hello, Friends! I often think and speak a lot about mindset, and that's what I want to talk to you about today. You see, mindset matters. This week was my birthday, and I decided to do a little video recap of some events from the last year. But when I did that, I was surprised to see just how much had happened. I traveled to seven (yes seven) states. I wrote and published a novel. I spoke at several events. I got a new tattoo, and I enjoyed so many moments in between. But here's what I realized when I was making that video. So often we are focused on the things that are going wrong, those worries, the things that nag at us. And they may be big things. It might be a financial crisis, a health diagnosis, a relationship on the brink of coming apart. But the devil wants us to stay focused on all those things, so we miss out on the beauty of everything that is happening around us. It's so easy to let our minds dwell on the negative and never see the positive. 

    We need to take our camera lense and zoom out a little. Maybe you've been consumed with whatever problem is going on in your life. And there is a time and place for tackling problems. I'm not saying we should act as if they don't exist. But I am saying, the problem is only one part of your life. And you can let it consume you, or you can choose to change your mindset. Your mindset is the difference between a good life with a few gray clouds, or a bad life where you're always anticipating rain. 

    We have to stop falling for the lie that our problems define us or that our problems are all there is. Life is so much bigger than that. We can change how we see things. We can choose to put those problems in their places, as small parts of the whole, rather than zooming in on them and making them so large that nothing else can be seen in our lives.

    Today, you may need a perspective shift. And if you do, I hope that you can take the time to refocus. Maybe do like I did, go through your phone camera and look at all your memories from the last year and pick our the highlights. Then remind yourself that those moments are happening all around you every day. You simply need to turn your attention toward them. I can't wait to see you succed!

~K.L.W.  

Gratitude Begets More

   Hi Friends! Today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite topics. And no, it's not habits, goals, or starting fresh. Today, I want to talk about gratitude. Here's why:  I keep coming back to gratitude again, and again, and again. It is so powerful to transform our lives in many ways. So, I want to talk about it... just one more time. 

  You may have heard the phrase, "remember when you prayed for what you have now." That is such a powerful reminder. So often we can get stuck mulling over all we don't have, worrying over what isn't going right, and feeling bad for ourselves that we haven't gotten that dream home or vacation yet. But we tend to forget there was probably a time when we prayed for the things we have now. I know I did. I spent ten years desperately wanting my own house, praying for a space we could call our own with room to host people and a big set of floor to ceiling bookshelves. And guess what? I have all that now. Does that mean I always remember to be grateful for it? Unfortunately, no. It's often easier to complain about the drain that needs unclogged, the backdoor that needs replaced, and the foliage which is out of control than it is to sit back and dwell on just how amazing it is to have this dream come true. 

  If we aren't careful, we can allow our minds to dwell on negativity, on lack, on all that isn't going right. And once we get on that path, it's a slippery downward slope. But with a little attention, we can train our brains to reach for what is positive, what we do have, what is already going well, and I think you will find the latter is a much better way to do life. Dwelling in gratitude opens the door for more in our life. Don't believe me? Have you ever had an ungrateful child? I know I have. And guess what, it makes me want to do less for him when he doesn't appreciate things. In the same way, when we are unappreciative of the blessings we already have, we are shutting the door to new opportunities. But like a thankful child, when we appreciate what we already have, we open ourselves to new opportunities for growth and abundance. 

  Gratitude doesn't mean everything is perfect in our lives, but it does mean we choose to focus on what is going right rather than what is going wrong. Take some time this week to slow down and think about all the blessings in your life that you once prayed for. Maybe that's health, a spouse, a child who is doing well, a home, a car, a good job, food to eat, financial security. Whatever it is you have, take the time to express gratitude and to train your brain to focus on all that you are already blessed with. When you do, you're opening the door to new things. Give it a try this week! I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.

The Me Too Movement

   Hello, Friends. Recently I've been thinking a lot about each of us having a unique story to tell, and the importance of making sure those stories are heard. I was having a conversation with a friend this week, and as we discussed some similar circumstances from our childhood, she said something that stuck with me. She said, "I'm so glad you said that. I thought I was the only one." And truth be told, so did I. But there's power in numbers, in knowing that others have shared experiences. This is the essence of the #metoo movement. But while #metoo started as a way to help those who had suffered sexual abuses, there is so much more to it than that. I believe there are people of all different races, religions, and sexes who are waiting for someone else to share their story so they can say, "Me too." 

  Personally, I believe that while we were never intended to endure hardships and hurts, when we come out on the other side of them, we have the ability to take what we learned and use it to rescue someone else. But the truth is, no one else gets rescued if we don't work on our own growth. If you never move beyond your hang-ups, you can't help someone else move beyond theirs. I've heard Terri Savelle Foy say, "Someone is waiting on the other side of your obedience." You see, even if you don't realize it, there is someone who is waiting for you to grow, succeed, and reach your potential, because they need what you have to offer. I don't know about you, but that is motivating. To think there is someone out there who might need to hear my story, who might need to hear what I have to say because it might help them in some way is both humbling and inspiring. And that's why I want to share this with you. Because there is someone waiting for you too. 

    Last week I heard Jay Shetty talk about the idea that all different types of coaches, speakers, mentors, and authors are needed, because each person has a unique way of teaching or telling something. Someone may have heard the same lessons a thousand times, but it doesn't sink in until they hear it from you. Your voice is needed. Your story is important. There is someone who can't move on until they hear what you have to say, and no one else can say it for you. So, what are you waiting for? 

  If you're looking for a reason to grow this week, if you're looking for a reason to heal, a reason to reach out, and reason to pursue your purpose, I hope you take these words to heart. There is someone who needs to hear your story so they know they aren't alone. There is someone who is waiting for you to get victory so you can teach them how, and there is someone who needs something only you can give. You were created for a purpose. Don't let this life pass you by. You have something only you can offer, and I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.