HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT 4TH OF JULY!
May those of us who are free
never forget the brave men and women who fought on our behalf,
always be thankful for our liberties,
and strive to do likewise for the many still trapped in bondage.
Category Archives: Live
The Justice Conference 2015: My Favorite Quotes
Last week I attended The Justice Conference in Chicago with a couple of friends. This was my second year, and yet again, it provoked so many thoughts about social justice and pricked my heart for reconciliation in the hard places.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes. I hope you enjoy them too. May they lodge themselves in your mind, and propel you toward creating a better future for us all.
Cornel West
Scholar, Activist, Servant and Lover of Music
- May the God of justice bless you with discomfort.
- Have the audacity to make Jesus your choice.
- Look back before you move forward.
- Love your way through the darkness.
- If the Kingdom of God is in you, you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go.
- Following Jesus means you’re welcoming a proximity to pain.
- Quoting Samuel Beckett, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Eugene Cho
Pastor, Writer, Visionary
- Justice must be part of our worship of God.
- Everyone loves justice until there is a cost.
- John 4: Jesus HAD to go through Sumeria. He was compelled. He went to the hard places to make people’s lives better.
- Even good things can become idolatrous.
- Everything we do should be a response to God’s love.
- Justice must always be humble.
- Be careful that you don’t become self-righteous. Otherwise YOU may be the mountain God wants to move.
- Our hope is not in our Savior Complex.
Louis Dooley
Illinois Regional Director, Set Free Ministries
- Get out of the Christian bubble.
- Get your hands dirty.
Bob Goff
Best-Selling Author and Speaker
- Love everybody, always.
- God makes people. And people make issues. But people aren’t issues.
- Let people get justice because they know you.
- You’ll be known for your ideas, but remembered for your love.
Ken Wytsma
Teacher, Entrepreneur, Author
- Faith lives in a climate of doubt.
- It’s not the quality of faith that matters, but the presence.
Jenny Yang
Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief
- We are all called to be advocates.
- There is a limit on charity, but there is no limit to transformational relationships.
Ann Voskamp
Author, Blogger, Farmer’s Wife
- We need to become the Esther generation, advocating for those outside the gates.
- Accept the invitation to cross boundaries.
- When your heart breaks for justice, pray to stay broken.
Jonathan Merritt
Columnist and Author
- We should nurture bravery, humility, empathy and diversity.
- Learn how to disagree well. It usually involves more listening.
Rev. Traci Blackmon
Pastor, Member of the Fergusson Commission
- Many of us are blind to our privilege.
- Privilege is an “othering” of people.
- Look for God’s image in everyone.
- Nobody gives up privilege willingly. Are you ready to pay the cost?
Louie Giglio
Pastor of Passion City Church, Founder of the Passion Movement
- Be quietly worshipful and noisily grateful.
- Your core identity must be Jesus. Anything else, and heaven will be a disappointment.
- You’re a Jesus worshipper first, not a job or activist or anything else.
- Justice isn’t a career path. It’s a theological imperative. It’s rooted in everyone, woven in divinity and reconciliation.
- If you aren’t at peace, your going to be asking your mission to validate you.
Neichelle Guidry
Preacher and Worship Curator
- In the presence of Jesus, character is revealed.
- Jesus only spent 25% of His time in church throughout recorded scripture.
- Perhaps its not enough to just have a heart that’s in the right place.
- Growth always comes with growing pains.
- Your comfort comes at someone else’s discomfort.
- Grow up. Become Kingdom-minded. Choose.
- If you’re going to live in the Kingdom of God, you need to give up your addiction to convenience and comfort.
And here’s the highlight video for a peek inside the event.
The JUSTICE Conference 2015 Highlights from The JUSTICE CONFERENCE on Vimeo.
My India Trip Q&A
Since I announced a few weeks ago that I was headed to India this summer, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about the trip and my fundraising efforts. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to answer a few of them here for you now.
Q: When are you going?
A: We’re going in July! We have tentative dates, but may change them based on the cost of airfare. We’ll try to go when it’s most economical during the month. And we’re planning on staying for about two weeks.
Q: Who are you going with?
A: I’m headed there with two friends. This first is Katrell, who founded the organization we’ll primarily be visiting in Darjeeling, which provides education for at-risk girls in India so they may pursue secondary and university learning. The second is Stephanie who is a friend that also works for Katrell.
Q. Where did you meet the women you’re traveling with?
A. I’ve known both of them since 2012. We met when I was volunteering with the Georgia Chapter of Not For Sale.
Q. How are you connected to the organization?
A. Katrell owns a tea shop in Downtown Atlanta, and the proceeds benefit the scholarship program. I loved the shop and the work she was doing, so I have volunteered my time with her by consulting on her marketing and communications for both projects. I have also attended her monthly fundraising dinners several times, and made sure a lot of my friends knew what she was up to—and where they can get a good cup of tea.
Q. How did the India trip come up?
A. Ever since we met and I fell in love with what Katrell was doing, she’s told me I needed to come with her on this trip. She goes usually twice a year for about a month each time, and I have stalked her every time she’s made the journey. She does a great job documenting it! Now the timing has finally worked out for Stephanie and I to accompany her. And I’m so excited to be going with someone who knows their way around!
Q. What will you guys be doing on the trip?
A. The details are still being worked out right now, but we do have a loose itinerary. We’ll stay with the 11 scholars at their center in Darjeeling and spend time with them, helping however we can and learning their individual stories. We’ll also explore the cities of Kolkata and Darjeeling, and possibly Mumbai or wherever we fly into. Additionally, we plan to visit the tea plantation in Darjeeling where Katrell sources her tea. I’m also thrilled that we’ll be connecting with local orgs that are fighting various forms human and labor trafficking in India to learn from their work. And, of course, we plan on having a lot of fun!
Q. Why do you want to go on the trip?
A. This trip is an opportunity for me to better myself, and in turn, the world around me. It is a chance for me to learn more about issues that I’m extremely interested in and passionate about, such as human trafficking, slavery, women’s rights and girls’ education. If you’ve read even just a few posts on this blog, you know those are common threads. They have deeply wrapped themselves around my heart. I read a lot about these issues, watch movies, do some volunteering and attend events, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me to see it up-close on the other side of the world in a place where it is more common and exposed. According to the Global Slavery Index, India has more slaves than any other country. So, I’m extremely curious to witness the climate that facilitates such an atrocity. I’m ready to meet these people and share their stories with you. And I know it will give me renewed vigor in my local work.
Q. Is this a mission trip?
A. This is a question I get from friends and family in the Church. It is a trip with a mission for sure, but not one like most of you are used to seeing. It is not affiliated with a church or religious organization.
Q. Why are you fundraising for this trip?
A. No one has actually asked me this, but I thought I’d address it as it is a natural question. I actually really struggled with the decision to fundraise. But then I reflected on a few past conversations and here’s where I landed. Predominantly, while this is going to be a fun and amazing trip, it is not a sight-seeing tourist vacation. I very much see it as a humanitarian trip. I will primarily be there to learn and bring those lessons back home with me. If you know me personally, you know I am a natural evangelist for things that I care deeply about. So, this trip will live beyond me. I will find ways to use what I learn, and I will share that knowledge with others whether in the other nonprofits with which I volunteer, my church who will be sending missionaries to live in India next year, articles I write, events I attend or ways yet to be discovered. And the second reason is more simple. In talking with friends in the past about this trip, several of them told me that if I was ever able to go, they would help sponsor me.
Q. How will your funding be used?
A. I’m trying to raise $3,000. Approximately two-thirds of that is just for the airfare. The rest will be food, lodging and transportation within the country. And if I’m able to raise any additional funding, I will happily give that to the scholarship program and their great work.
Q. What if you don’t reach your fundraising goal?
A. Anything that I do not raise, I will pay for out-of-pocket. It will be a bigger strain on my finances than I’d like, but again, I believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Q. How can I help?
A. There are three primary ways I’d love your help. The first is, of course, that I’m fundraising for this trip. Any amount you can contribute would be helpful to me. The second way to help is to let me know if you have suggestions and/or contacts for organizations in the areas that we’ll be in. We have a few in mind, but we’re certainly open to ideas! And the third way is to pray for our journey. Though it is not a traditional “mission trip,” prayers for safe travel, making connections, building relationships and more are always appreciated. I’ll never turn down a prayer.
Did I miss any of your questions? If so, just ask! And thanks so much for your time and interest in my trip! To donate or read more about it, you can visit my fundraising page.
**Unfortunately, donations made for this trip are not tax-deductible. I realize that may impact your ability to give, and I still deeply appreciate any consideration. Also, please know that Indiegogo Life, where my fundraiser page is located, charges no fees for its service, therefore all donations will go directly to me outside of your standard credit card fees which are typically around 3%.**
Fun Facts: Tidbits You May Not Know About Me
So, if you’ve just started reading this blog recently, you may not know much about me. But I’d like to rectify that now. Here are a few things that might interest you . . .
- Language I most want to learn: Spanish. I’ve forgotten most of what I know, but honestly, I’d love to be multilingual in just about anything.
- Show I most enjoy binge-watching: Alias
- Place I’d most like to travel: Spain
- Food I crave most: Appetizers. I love making meals out of an assortment of appetizers.
- Pinterest board I use the most: Hair, BY FAR. I’ll never get around to making all those recipes.
- Favorite ice cream: Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean OR Bruster’s Key Lime Pie
- Biggest fear: Failure
- Thing I’m most thankful for: Salvation, followed by grace
- Strength I love the most: Faith (second would be independence)
- Place I’d most like to live: Probably California, but I’d also love to live somewhere in Europe for at least a year.
- Favorite Atlanta eateries: Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party, di Paolo, Figo, Alon’s, ONE. midtown kitchen, and sooooo many others
- Favorite piece of furniture: I have a loveseat made from two movie theater seats. I used to frequent this theater in college so it’s tied to good memories—plus, it has cup holders!
- An ability I’m proud of: I’m really good at picking the kind of friends everyone should want and have.
- Something I’m not good at and don’t like: Cooking. Despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to rectify this.
- A goal I had for this year: Donate hair—just did it!
- Biggest pet peeves: Unaware people with strollers and also listening to people eat
- A piece of advice I’d give to anyone: You aren’t in control.
- A few of my favorite books: Bible, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Experiencing God, Visioneering, Harry Potter series, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, and TONS more!
- Something I love right now: doTerra essential oils
- Most interesting previous job: I reviewed restaurants for a short time in a local, Atlanta publication. The publication is no longer in business, but I’m fairly certain that isn’t my fault.
And here are a few other things I posted previously. Now you know a bit more about me. Tell me something about you!
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Leadercast Conference Highlights
Last Friday I attended Leadercast for the first time. I looooove being at conferences, and was especially excited to be a newbie at this event. The funny thing is that I was there at the same Arena just a week earlier for my company’s conference. But it was really cool to see how differently they used the space, and what they had going on that we could learn from.
The theme, “The Brave Ones,” was awesome and inspiring. It was definitely what I needed to hear right now, and I was also excited to share it with friends who came to mind as I sat there in my seat.
Here are some of my takeaways. I hope they can help you to be more brave too.
- Bold leadership isn’t just for bold, fearless, super-talented or ultra smart people. Bold leaders have clarity, focus, be stubborn and stay resourceful.
- Bold leadership is the clarity around an unreasonable commitment to what should be.
- Bold leaders refuse to be cowed by “how.” You can “how” an idea to death.
- Ask yourself this question from Joel Backer’s book, Paradigm, ” What do I believe is impossible in my field, but would fundamentally change my business or industry?”
- Think about Nehemiah. His work was almost interrupted by a meeting. But he said, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”
- Don’t obsess over your competition. Obsess on the areas they can’t or won’t cover. Do it better.
- Trust is the ultimate currency.
- The best part of you is you—your uniqueness.
- Limit your field of view and you’ll actually see more.
- Make bold corrections.
- Bravery doesn’t have to be a solo experience.
- Choose the amount of work you’re going to take on wisely.
- Don’t avoid the pain. Bravery is there. Lean into it. It’s a growth opportunity.
Malala Yousafzai – THIS is who I came to see, and she didn’t disappoint!
- This war will be fought with books and pens, not swords and guns.
- I still believe in a happy ending.
- If I didn’t speak out, I thought I might have to live that way forever.
- Don’t wait for the fight to be taken up by someone else. Why not you?
- In every field of life we find brave people. Bravery has no limit.
- It’s your duty to speak up for what’s right or just.
- We are all living here together. We must think of others as brothers and sisters. We must speak up from all sides.
- We can all make a better world. Everyone has a role to play.
- If you wait for someone else to make the change, you are a follower.
- Learn to thrive on uncomfortable situations.
- Invest in a coach.
- Set personal goals that contribute to the team’s overall success.
- Understand the power of your influence, but realize your accomplishments are never made alone.
- Surround yourself with people who will give you honest feedback.
- Earn your platform.
- Bravery isn’t just for other people. It’s for us too.
- We don’t need people who copy. We need people who create.
- To make art, you must be all in.
- When Gutenberg launched the press, the illiteracy rate was 93%. He didn’t wait until he had a market for it. He had a dream that he pursued.
- It’s always too soon. We can be prepared, but we can never be ready.
- We can make change, but we can’t change everyone.
- Change creates: Tension, obsession, connection, direction and compassion.
- Treat every opportunity like its your last.
- Do work that matters.
- Own your unreasonableness.
- Creativity is the process by which we solve problems.
- Focus on the dynamic of the team, not the ideas.
- Create shared ownership.
- Give good and honest notes.
- Failure is necessary for something new.
- To be successful, you must be wiling to take the first step.
- Creative people usually discover their talents over time, by continually being wiling to take the hard problems.
- Bravery is a decision to live not just exist. Brave leaders just make the decision and do what needs to be done.
- Peace is one of the most powerful things that cannot be bought.
- Brave leaders ask the basic question, “If not me, who?”
- Be brave enough to believe in a different future.
- Brave leaders overcome the fear of failure. It’s not that brave leaders never fail, it’s that they never quit. the worst case is not failure, but it’s living in the invisible prison of fear.
- Elevate your expectations in order to elevate your organization. If your team lacks momentum, elevate your vision.
- Dream a vision that’s too big for you to achieve by yourself.
- Brave leaders serve for the purpose, not the praise.
- One of my rules of leadership is to always go to the scene of the incident.
- People who succeed have strong beliefs and big ideas.
- To be a leader, you have to be an optimist. Be a problem solver. Every problem may not have a solution, but every problem comes with perspective.
- To be a leader, you have to have courage. If you’re not afraid, something is wrong with you.
- Relentless preparation takes the fear out of leadership.
- Teamwork—it’s never about you.
- If you want to be a leader, you have to communicate. People cannot know what you think and want. You have to tell them, and you have to tell them again.
Mental Post-Its 