Answer Shopping

Answer shopping is when we continue to ask a question, hoping for a different answer.  Children do it all the time, playing one parent against another.  We do it when we escalate a customer service issue to a higher level in an organization.  Our court system is designed with a defined appeals process.  And it's common to challenge a medical diagnosis that isn't what we expect.  Answer shopping is a good way to explore our options. 

Heaven is for Real

Todd Burpo shares his almost 4 year-old son's amazing trip to heaven and back in New York Times Bestseller, Heaven is for Real.  This child's remarkable description of Jesus, God, angels and long-departed family members (who he had never met) provides reassurance to Christians and a beautiful invitation to others.

Exceptional Unexpected Impact

I recently had the opportunity to hear and meet New York Times best-selling author Harvey Mackay.  His first wildly successful book is Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive.  As a sponsor for the Houston event he was keynoting, I had the chance to meet him before his presentation and notice and positively comment on his shark tie.  After the event, I waited, not only to have one of his books signed, but to give him what I perceive to be a perfect marketing tool - shark mints (in which I have no financial or other interest).  As my small world connections would have it, his friend (that he was visiting with after our event) and I have known one another for some time, serve together on a community board, and shared a common graduation ceremony later in that week (his grandson and my son).

Yesterday, I was like a kid at Christmas, when I received a personal note from Harvey Mackay with a collection of his special books (yes, I love business books!).

Getting Unstuck

Early this morning I was stuck in completing a very difficult Sudoku.  I knew that it was solvable, but there was no evident next answer. When I reexamined all of my options and cleaned the clutter from eliminated possibilities, the solution suddenly fell into place. 

This experience reminded me that taking a fresh look at available options for business and personal opportunities helps us get unstuck.

Losing a Friend

One of my Chi Omega pledge sisters lost her battle with cancer.  This bright, vibrant, witty, compassionate friend indelibly left her positive mark on many lives.  We never know how many days we are given.  Like Mary, we need to pack abundant love, life and laughter into each day. 

Superior Impact

My Junior League involvement predates my motherhood.  My reason for mentioning this is that motherhood is the way to timestamp many of my Junior League experiences.  I love the incredible friends I've made, the amazing organizations we've benefited, the leaders we've trained, inspired and launched, and the legacy we imprint upon the Houston community.  Our impact is multiplied through our time, volunteer hours and monetary contributions. 

My volunteer roles are all important to me and the community.  I benchmark many of my involvements against the superior impact of the Junior League of Houston.

Biting Your Tongue or Biding Your Time

I asked a friend who is in transition if she was "biting her tongue" during transition discussions.  What she heard was "biding her time".  I'm glad we clarified the misunderstanding.  The basis of my question was that she has a lot of experience with mergers and much wisdom to share.  The question she thought I'd asked would imply that she was a lame duck with little to add to the process. 

When we hear something unexpected, clarifying the message, can prevent unfortunate misunderstandings.