Your Destiny

"Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny. " -Douglas Adams
I have always found this quote inspiring. Stars are intriguing and full of mystery. How can something so beautiful and so far away calm my soul and remind me of God's "bigger than me" plan? When the world around me overwhelms me, I can stop, look up, and remember there is a bigger plan. And though I may not understand, I know it exists and I can keep moving forward. If dreams are like stars like it says in the quote...then I guess my question becomes "How big are my dreams?" I choose to believe we each have a destiny - like every star appointed it's space in the universe to shine and serve as a piece of the map for travelers and ships. Sometimes it's easier to think small to avoid the big disappointments. Sometimes we listen to the voices of reasoning. Like in the movie Rudy, even when his family discouraged him from thinking "too big" he held on to his dream and overcame the obstacles.

Even our minds can be our biggest advocate or our worst discouragement. We have to set our minds on the stars so to speak. Believe in the things we can't see - exercise faith. When was the last time you felt you were believing in something TOO BIG? Somewhere along the way did you start believing the voices that say "this is as good as it gets"? Are you surrounding yourself with those who think big? Lastly, what are you saying to those around you? Are your words encouraging even when the crowd isn't? Take a few minutes to look up today and remember how big the possibilities really are.

He Cares More

He cares more than any other, in ways we may never be aware. He is always working on our behalf. Especially when all is against us. I trust in His unfailing love and even in His timing... even when it's hard.

"No weapon formed against me shall prosper. All those that rise up against me shall fall..."
Lord, today you are my Peace! - I am Yours and You are mine!

Radically Over-deliver!

Turns out that this is a cheap and effective marketing technique.

Pretty simple isn’t it? What happens when you experience AMAZING, RADICAL over delivery? Maybe it’s because it doesn’t happen very often- so we are surprised and elated when someone goes above and beyond. Maybe it also sends a message that we are important and valued. There are a lot of things that take place in our minds when we are the recipient of over delivery! Think of the last time someone amazed you with customer service – or went out of their way to do what they promised. You can’t print that on a postcard or send it in an email. But it is repeatable – Because, you always “tell” someone and re-tell your experience. There is always a story!

Over delivery also raises the bar for both the giver and the recipient. For the giver it means you will now be responsible for delivering the same kind of service to all those who will hear the story and want the same results!
The recipient is not only going to expect the same in the future but may also feel more connected. When we come from a place of contribution it encourages others to do the same – to pass it on so to speak. Also as a result, in the future, the recipient of over delivery will not only want to return for more –but will probably want to do the same for someone else. What a great result!

This happens to us every day! We may not even realize it. When someone stops traffic and lets you in – doesn’t that remind you to do the same for someone else? When someone holds the door for you, don’t you in turn do the same? ( okay...so maybe it should ;)
These are examples of the law of reciprocity at work! “You reap what you sow” right?

But then what is it called when we OVER-Deliver? When we go out of our way, when we give in abundance…when we give more than is deserved... when we aren’t thinking of the return – maybe it’s Grace? It's kind of amazing.