Excellence

Excellence. What does that word mean to you? To me it's near perfection, when the negative things in life cannot keep you down, and you're always racing for increased success. Today, while I was rummaging through more stuff in my house and packing more of the junk I've accumulated through the years, I came across this quote that I haven't seen since I was in High School. It reads:

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical; and expecting more than others think is possible."

I remember when I first got this quote. My mom has always been sentimental with little sayings and the like. At the time I was really frustrated with my Cheer Career and trying to figure out why I was injured so much and why it just seemed so hard to get along with everyone. My mom just gave me a card with that quote inside. I cried - of course! But it the words within it are amazing.

Through the years since then, many, many people have asked me why I have such a good attitude even in the more negative and disappointing circumstances. I guess it partially comes from what is said in this quote. I care about people when others give up on them. I risk things and relationships in my life for the betterment of someone else. I dream bigger than anyone I know. And I expect more than many people this is even possible. Wow... that really just made me seem conceited. But that's not my point. I try my hardest to prevent or my own personal laziness from holding me back from achieving and being the person that I've always dreamed I would become. I've had SO many huge goals thoughout my life... and yes, I may never gain each and every one of them. However, I hold true to the saying "Shoot for the stars and land on the moon."

Why not dream big? Why not become the person your soul is calling you to be? Why not risk your life or your comfort zone for the betterment of someone else? Why not care or have the compassion for something that makes your heart sing, or even break? What is holding us back from achieving all we've ever dreamed of doing?

Honestly, it comes back to fear... the paralyzing, lying, prevention feeling that overtakes so many. I challenge us to rise above the fear and start achieving more, dreaming more, risking more, and expecting more. We will be met with success because we did.

He Ain't the Leavin' Kind

Concerts are one of the many highlights of my life. I always love going to see a band play and interact with their crowd. It's just fantastic! This weekend I went to the Rascal Flatts concert with two of my co-workers and to say it was great is putting it mildly. I don't know what it is about their music, but it serisouly just strikes me in the deepest part of my heart. I have so many wonderful memories of songs like "These Days" and winning the State Championship for softball. I remember "See Me Through" as I was going through a tough time with a special someone in my life. The words of "Dry County Girl" give me hope of a fantastic future with the love of my life. "Take me there" let's me dream about the next guy that comes into my life who is able to truly love and care for me, and want me to show him my life. And "No Reins" is my life story at this point - an amazing song of re-defining oneself. I LOVE RASCAL FLATTS!

One of the most moving songs of last night was "He ain't the leavin' kind" off of the album, Me and my Gang. I don't even know where to begin with this song.... FANTASTIC! Truly. Every single time I hear it I start to cry because I realize how great and awesome our God is. Even in our darkest and most depressing hour, where fear looms in the corners of the soul - this song reminds us that God is NOT the leaving kind. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is standing beside us through each and every step of our life. And I love the fact that Rascal Flatts - who are not a proclaimed Christian Group discuss the power and importance of God in our lives.... here are the lyrics - enjoy! :-)

They tried their best to drag him out
of a courthouse down in Montgomery
And now they wanna kick him out of school
and take him off our money
they can take those words off of paper and stone
But He ain't gone, no

*Chorus*He ain't the the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
even from those who don't believe
and wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin Kind

She stayed mad at Him for a lot of years
for takin' her husband
started losin' her faith
and thinkin' that her life meant nothin'
But when she looks at those kids she raised all by herself
She knows she had some help,yeah, she knows

*Repeat Chorus*No matter what you do
No matter where you go
He's always right there with you
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave Him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No, NoHe ain't the leavin'
He ain't the leavin' kind
Woo, woo
He ain't the leavin'
He ain't the leavin' kind


Enjoy your weeks! And don't forget that our God is not the leaving kind!