Category Archives: Communication

30 Day Challenge, Fresh start, Goals, Living Intentionally, Pay Attention, Questions?

30 Day- How’d you do?

November 28, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

Well, my friends, I don’t think it is too fair of me to ask you that question and not be transparent with you about how I did.

So…here’s how my last 30 days went.

My original goal was to write 500 words every day. I did accomplish 500 words for the first 20 days. Then we left for Texas to see family and I scribbled things when I had a few minutes, but we were there to enjoy family.I actually thought that I would blog about each days noticing- but honestly, some of the things I noticed were more personal than I was ready to blog yet. I know several of you have said that I often write quite personally. That is true. But I generally don’t share it with you till I’ve done some processing myself. So…these things might show up in future posts. I’m continuing my 500 Words a day goal in December.
If you have been following my blog, you will notice that I started writing about BROKENNESS. That is actually some of what I have been NOTICING in these 30 days. The Series is not complete- but in process. My goal for December is to complete this series.
My third goal was just a habit that was beginning to change 30 days ago. In many ways I felt like I have been becoming WHOLE! Read through the past blogs to hear some of the story. But a recent visit to have blood work done tells me my ‘autoimmune issues’ are affecting me again and my glucose is in the danger zone. That was most disheartening because I had been working to control my diet, especially the sugars.For a few days, I felt like I was BROKEN again. Then I realized this for the gift that it was. I had asked God to heal me. He was revealing to me what needed to be done. So…the goal for the next 30 holi-days for my health has been made very clear.

So…How about you? How’d you do in your 30 day challenge?

Did you accomplish you 30 day goals?
If so, pat yourself on the back!!!! Congratulations!

If not, what were the obstacles that kept you from it?

What is your next step?

Listen gang! We have just over 30 days left in 2015. I know the temptation is to call it ‘HOLIDAYS” and chuck the lists for a while.

But what if INSTEAD we take a few minutes to identify what needs to be done yet in 2014? What can we do that will not only give us a jump start on 2015, but will set up up for possibilities we only dreamed of in 2014?

I hope you will join us for the FINISH WELL CHALLENGE beginning today. By December 31st, what you want to have accomplished. Get more details here.

If nothing else, let’s take a look back at 2014 and answer some of these questions.

What are your celebrations for 2014? Where did you ‘nail it’ or persevere till you completed the task? What relationship was improved? We spend little time acknowledging where we did it right! I can hear you say, “well, it really was not that big of a deal”! I encourage you to recognize if you set the goal for yourself and completed it, IT IS A BIG DEAL!
What were your disappointments for 2014? Where did you not succeed? Where did a relationship fail? Where did you give up but wish now you had kept going? I sometimes hear people say “you can’t cry over spilled milk?” It’s true! You can’t change the past. But if we don’t take the time to say it for what it really is, and identify behaviors that may have caused it, we will not learn from our past. We are destined to repeat them again and again.
One of my favorites from Michael Hyatt is “What was missing?” That was a question I was missing. Never thought to ask myself that. What is something that you want to be true of you that you did nothing in 2014 to make happen? For instance, you want to have a relationship with your grandparents, but you didn’t make extra effort to see them on a regular basis. Or you want to write a book, but you didn’t set schedule time to write. What’s missing?
What lessons did you learn in 2014? These could be in any area of life: spiritual, relational, professional, physical, etc. Write down the reoccurring themes you noticed this year? Write down in one word or brief sentence the messages you learned . This step is so valuable as you look ahead to the new year.

I’ve set my goals for the next 30 days! I hope you will join me in the journey. If you need someone to help you determine what you really want to accomplish and hold you accountable to your dreams, that’s what I do! I’m a coach! Email me at kathy@greenhopecoaching.

Here’s to finishing well!

30 Day Challenge, Fresh start, Goals, Living Intentionally, persistance, Questions?

30 Day Challenge Final PUSH

November 19, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

If you started the 30 DAY CHALLENGE with me on October 27th, that means you have one week left to complete your goal.

How are you doing? Have you stayed on track with your plan?

My month went great the first 2 weeks. The fact that I set my goal and created a plan went a long way toward moving forward.

But this last week there were quite a few obstacles that I wasn’t expecting. Health, weather, life challenges…!

How about you? Have you felt your momentum getting hung up in the ‘stuff’ that interferes?

Well, today marks a PIVOT POINT! We must choose! Continue reading 30 Day Challenge Final PUSH →

Broken, LIFE, Pay Attention, Questions?, Wholeness

Broken…to Whole!: the ANTONYM of Broken

November 14, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

In my last post on Broken…Made whole 2, we considered in what ways are we broken and the many synonyms for the word.

So what did you learn? What are the areas of life that need attention? Some things are blaring- we know what’s broken and we think it can’t be fixed. I know, because I already confessed that I felt that in several aspects of life. But often, we don’t notice something is broken until we intentionally stop to look at our life.

Where are we limping by?

What are we always working around because we can’t seem to work through?

But…today’s post is on the OPPOSITE of BROKEN, Continue reading Broken…to Whole!: the ANTONYM of Broken →

Broken, LOSS, Pay Attention, Questions?

Broken…to Whole: Let me count the ways!

November 12, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

Have you ever considered how many ways you can be broken? I hear of brokenness in people, myself included, and I marvel at all the ways we can break.

From the internet dictionary,
I found these definitions:
bro·ken
ˈbrōkən’

Adjective

Having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order. Another dictionary said “violently separated into parts.“ Such as “a broken arm”. I might add “a broken heart after a tragic loss”.
SYNONYMS: smashed, shattered, fragmented, splintered, crushed, snapped
(of a relationship) ended, such as through infidelity. “a broken marriage”
SYNONYMS: failed, ended
disrupted or divided. “broken families”
(of an agreement or promise) not observed by one of the parties involved. “broken promises”
SYNONYMS: flouted, violated, infringed, contravened, disregarded, ignored, unkept
of a person) having given up all hope; despairing. “he went to his grave a broken man”
SYNONYMS: defeated, beaten, subdued
having breaks or gaps in continuity. “a broken white line across the road”” or a night of broken sleep”
SYNONYMS: interrupted, disturbed, fitful, disrupted, discontinuous, intermittent, unsettled, troubled
(of speech or a language) spoken falteringly, as if overcome by emotion, or with many mistakes, as by a foreigner. “a young man talking in broken Italian”
SYNONYMS: halting, hesitating, disjointed, faltering, imperfect
having an uneven and rough surface. “broken ground”
SYNONYMS: uneven, rough, irregular, bumpy

_________________________________________

Webster gave some additional definitions of BROKEN

: Violently Separated into parts.
: damaged or altered by breaking
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture

: being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles
: violated by transgression
: discontinuous, interrupted
: disrupted by change

: made weak or infirm
: subdued completely
: crushed, sorrowful
: bankrupt
: reduced in rank

: cut off
: disconnected
: imperfectly spoken or written
: not complete or full
: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion

Here are some other Related Words (I left the links in so you could check the definitions)

blasted, detonated, exploded; cracked,slivered, splintered, split;
collapsed, imploded; demolished, destroyed, devastated, pulverized,
ruinate, ruined, wrecked;damaged, defaced, disintegrated,
dynamited, mangled,mutilated; eradicated, exterminated, extirpated, obliterated, wiped out; breakable, brittle, delicate, fragile, frail, frangible

We could go on- and on- and on with the study of this word broken. But I think with this list alone, all of us at one time or another have experienced brokenness! Which means in our lives, and in our world, on a daily basis we come across someone who is at some place of “broken” which directly or indirectly influences us.

It’s not always fun to stay in this topic of brokenness. But it seems it is important to consider “Where am I broken?”

Consider these different areas of your life-

Spiritual,
Family,
Professional,
Personal,
Physical,
Financial,
Social
Global

Now ask these questions.

Where am I experiencing brokenness?

Where is the source of the brokenness?

How is that broken place impacting other areas of my life?

What is God asking me to break to move forward? i.e. bad habit, or poor relationship, or a tradition

Before we can move toward wholeness, we must be willing to admit we are broken and in need of help. Maybe it’s your finances- you don’t know how you will pay the bills. Or perhaps your family is falling apart- or your marriage. Or maybe your health is suffering.

Are you willing to say, “Lord, I am broken!”

If not, what are you afraid of? What keeps you from it? Are you in denial, pretending this will all go away? Which it may, but if you don’t deal with it directly, you may carry the baggage of it with you into the future.

Are you thinking that God only wants you to think of good things- not focus on the negative? (I’ve actually heard that recently.)

God want us to see Him and know him to be GOD-enough for our real world- as things really are! He wants intimacy with us and that means being honest and real with each other. He is with us- if we are willing to see Him. But we with Him too. We have to be honest about it within ourselves- and with God!

This is the first step! Then we can begin to take steps toward WHOLE! I’m looking forward to that. Aren’t you?

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Broken, healing, Hope, LIFE, Pay Attention, prayer, Questions?, Wholeness

Broken… to Whole

November 8, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

Just the day before I said to my client, “well, I’m broken, and I can’t be fixed. Somehow God will just have to use me broken.”

But this day a woman I barely knew sat across the table in my leaders huddle. She spoke, hesitant of sharing such an intimate story with a group of strangers. Her parents had both died in an accident when she was young. Life had been hard. But now, so many years later she heard God saying to her, “I want to make you whole again.”

In my heart I whispered, “I’ll never be whole. I’ll always live broken.” Leisha’s death left me broken- heart is too ripped, too many pieces have been lost. Some Doctors say I can’t be healed. I can’t be fixed.

But the rest of the day those words rumbled around in my brain. Continue reading Broken… to Whole →

8 Lane Highway, Goals, LIFE, Living Intentionally, Pay Attention, Questions?, roles and relationships

30 Day Challenge Update

November 5, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

For those of you who joined us on the 30 day challenge last week, how are you doing? We would love to hear your comments, insights, celebrations and struggles in the comment box below.

Accountability is a great way to hold you to your commitment. If not here, who is your accountability partner?

One of the discussions on the Challenge call on Tuesday evening was to consider your life as a highway- 8 lane highway. Continue reading 30 Day Challenge Update →

30 Day Challenge, Goals, LIFE, Living Intentionally, Pay Attention, Questions?

I’ve noticed….

October 30, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

I’ve NOTICED today that accomplishing my 30 day challenge of writing is ‘challenging!’

I set a goal for myself to write 500 words a day about what I’ve NOTICED in my day! No, I couldn’t just write 500 words a day about …whatever! I had to choose for my challenge to write what I’ve NOTICED!

Today, I’ve NOTICED:

That noticing is hard work! It takes a greater degree of intentionality than I haven’t done lately.
That writing what you’ve noticed is also hard work, because it demands you process what you experience.
That encouraging others to come with you in the challenge is inspiring. In this case, we don’t necessarily share a goal- we just share the journey to accomplish a goal. So our rhythm, our methods, our directions are all different. But one person’s journey speaks into mine and vice versa.

Want to join us for the
FREE 30 Day Conference Call on Tuesday – click here!

I’ve also noticed

That when I work toward a goal, there are a zillion things that try to distract me.
That one day my mind is full of thoughts and the next day I struggle to see anything.
That writing a blog post is one thing- putting it out there for you to read is another. But something happens in being vulnerable with your story– in you and in the person who needed to hear it!

But the amazing thing is that since I have subscribed to some sites designed for writing, this whole other world has opened up to me and with it a myriad of writers: authors, bloggers, journalists, and more.

Some of the writers are just getting starting, which helps me realize that I have been writing for a while. I just haven’t been consistent at it.

Other writers are clear on their voice, and their message and their genre. I’m beginning to get clarity! But I’m very aware I have much to learn.

I’m learning to be serious at writing, I must write! Daily!

And I need to plan to write! If I don’t have a plan, how do I know if I accomplishing what I set out to do? One blogger said, “Action without direction is just busy!”

I so get that! It’s true of all of life! I guess that is why I challenge you to join us for the 30 Day Challenge Call!

What is the challenge you have taken for the next 30 days?
Have you made a plan?
How will you know if you have reached your goal?
What is the behavior that needs to change?
What is the attitude that is blocking your success?

Let’s talk about it together and encourage each other in the doing. Let’s do this!!!

Sign up today for TUESDAY’s 30 Day Challenge CALL- November 4th at 8pm Eastern time.

30 Day Challenge, GHC opportunities, Hope, LIFE, Living Intentionally, Lovely Traces, Pay Attention, Questions?, worship

30 Day of……………….!

October 29, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

Thirty days isn’t a long time! But it’s long enough!

I just went through a quick study of the last 30 days of my life. I encourage you to consider your life over the last 30 days.

You could ask questions like:

Are you where you thought you’d be? Did you set goals for yourself and did you work your plan for those goals? or did they go by the wayside like lot’s of New Year’s Resolutions?
Did you tell anyone about the goals you had for yourself? Were you willing to be accountable to what you hoped to accomplish?
What were the obstacles that got in your way? Did you anticipate them or did they surprise you?

I know that style of evaluating life is popular with many. You may be one of those. Especially if you are task oriented and working hard toward a goal. I’m not saying I don’t do that at times in my life- it’s important to ask these questions.

But this time I only asked ONE Question: What did you notice? Continue reading 30 Day of……………….! →

Green Hope Coaching, Heritage, Intimacy, LIFE, Linda Dillow, Living Intentionally, LOVE, Pay Attention, Questions?, The Naked Truth Conference

FAQ: I’m too OLD! NAKED TRUTH isn’t for me, right?

July 29, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

FAQ: The Naked Truth — I’ve got questions

Really? That’s the reason you are giving?

You are too old?

Now if you said,
“It’s too hard!
I don’t want to try!” or “I’ve given up!”
– I would understand those answers. I have been there and done that. There are times when that is the most honest answer we can give. I would be sad for you and try to encourage you!

But no matter what your age, as long as you have breath, God wants to have an intimate relationship with you, and He wants for you Continue reading FAQ: I’m too OLD! NAKED TRUTH isn’t for me, right? →

Celebrate the Dance, Communication, Intimacy, Living Intentionally, LOVE, Marriage Vision

Dancing for the long haul!

May 31, 2014 Kathy Leave a comment

Thirty-five years ago, Ren and I started this dance. We dated 5 years before that, but on June 9, 1979 we said “I do” to things we only thought we understood. We’ve spent everyday since then figuring out the steps.

We danced our way through Bible College & Seminary, trying to find a rhythm between jobs, classes, music recitals, and the studying that had to happen in between.

We excitedly danced through the birth of our first daughter Caitlin and a move to Pennsylvania where Ren had his first job as a pastor.

Then with joy we upped the tempo of the dance as Brielle & Leisha were born and then we made a move to Ohio. The sign at the Ohio state line as we drove in said “The Heart of It All”. In many ways it has been!

Over the years since then, Ren & I have learned:
the slow dance, square dance, line dance,
the jig, the bunny hop, the boogie woogie, the cha cha, the chicken
and even some break dancing.

Oh, you wouldn’t know it to see us on the dance floor, because they were not the actually dance moves. Just ways we learned to deal with life and live together. Not bad for a preacher’s daughter that ‘didn’t dance’.

Last year, we danced again, this time at the wedding of both of our daughters. What an amazing time to see them begin their own dances with terrific dance partners. As we pondered the places and emotions of our dance, we imagined so much of what is ahead for them- the good, the really good, the not-so-much! Even the dances that might try to ‘break’ them.

There were times when one or the other of us wondered if our marriage could survive. Even if you have committed to stay married, sometimes the thought crosses your mind that it would be easier to not be married. But I’m grateful to say when that happened, the other partner was willing to do what needed to be done to fight for it.

But what would have happened if we had not prepared ourselves for the tough times; if we had not built our vision for our relationship so we knew how we wanted to respond when we felt like throwing in the towel.

We’re going to see what we can learn on the dance floor at CELEBRATE THE DANCE, next Sunday, June 8th
at 3:00pm at Tanya’s School of Dance, Lima.

Some of what we are going to talk about is:

Why did you get married?

Why do you stay married?

What does a vision for your marriage look like?

How do you even do that with all the variable life throws at you?

What does looking ahead do for us if we are struggling in our dance?

These are some of the questions we will be discussing at CELEBRATE THE DANCE! Join us won’t you? (Click here for m ore details.)

We’re celebrating 35 years! We would love for you to join us. Bring your sweetheart and invest in the relationship of a lifetime!

Your great marriage starts with you!

Kathy & Rennie

Green HOPE Coaching