BLAH

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Blah. That word really is self-descriptive isn’t it. We have all had that blah feeling. Blah defined means boredom, lethargy, or a general lack of satisfaction. I’m guilting of feeling blah and it usually shows up after a day or period of time that involves me giving of myself to others. Why is that?

When we set “me” aside and give of ourselves to others it can deplete our spirits. Think of it this way, you have a gallon of water and when you give your ounces away it leaves room in your jug for filling.  If you are in a job that requires consistent outpouring then you run a high risk of dehydration and burnout.

What’s going back in your jug?

It is deeply important to fill yourself with the right stuff so that you have a continued source of freshwater to share. A wise man once said the software controls the hardware. This simple phrase means that the mind controls the body and the emotions that come with it. The mind is a precious instrument that must be carefully looked after to ensure that the body stays on course. Bad software updates can destroy hardware in an instant.  

As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I implore you to take inventory of what is replacing what you have given away. For us to move from blah to awe we must continue to pour out and allow ourselves to be filled up with a source that nourishes and sustains.

Move,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

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Don’t Fake It

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I don’t believe in positive mental attitude. I believe that having a positive attitude is simply about being humble and grateful. Have you ever met someone that was nearly impossible to encourage? These people are professional self-fulfilling prophets who intentionally let anybody who will listen know how unfair life has been for them. They typically end sentences with… whatever. I’m not here to criticize but the quicker we own ALL of our life the sooner we break through. 

I do believe that a negative attitude is a key ingredient to low self-esteem and loneliness. People that remain negative protect themselves from risk by settling. Once you settle and others don’t you become envious of the others that jumped while you sat down. Envy leads to anger which culminates in apathy.  Apathy if not detected and eliminated early can become viral and destroy a healthy culture overnight.

You can’t fake optimism. To be optimistic one must understand that a perceived failure is simply a building block for future success. Remember rock bottom is one heck of a strong foundation. 

Jump,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

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Stop and Smell the Roses

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Stop and smell the roses. This phrase has been used to explain the importance of slowing down and even stopping to observe the beauty of life. Most often we race from destination to destination. We need to graduate, get a job, get married, buy a house, have kids, build a career, plan retirement, retire and then travel (code for smelling roses).

It’s kind of sad when it’s written out like that. We are goal-driven and seek to accomplish in order to better our station in life. Goals are great and hard work is even better but is it possible that we’re driven to accomplish simply because we can. To my knowledge, we are the only species in the universe that can cogitate, set goals, work hard, fail time after time, work harder and then achieve them. It is also my understanding that we are the only species that is able to make a conscious decision to stop and enjoy life.

Vacationing is not the answer. Stopping and smelling the roses is different from planning, saving, and initiating travel to anywhere but home. Stopping requires you to halt forward motion. To stop our forward motion requires as much discipline as a movement. It seems simple but it’s not. Stopping is frowned on. Stopping will get you honked at and have people questioning your abilities and common sense.

Smelling is one of the five senses and more importantly, the one tied closest to memory. Smelling requires a deep breath and typically ends with a smirk or smile. Today is the day that you have the opportunity to slow your heart rate. Take a walk outside, set the goals aside, come to a complete stop, take a big inhale through your nose and exhale with gratitude for all that you have been given.

Breathe,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

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