Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter

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Why do we value our own opinion so much? I believe it comes from years of being hurt and discouraged to the point that the only person we trust is ourselves. 

The further we move through this pandemic the more I realize how emotionally underdeveloped I really am. I’m blessed to own a business, be happily married, have 5 kids, 2 dogs, a rabbit, a cat, and an aging gecko named Bob. If that seems like a lot going on, your opinion on this matter would be correct. My sophomoric self tends to show up most when something along the above-stated list doesn’t run like a perfectly synced marching band. Sometimes it feels like the margin for error is so thin that if the cat catches a cough the whole thing may fall apart. However, that is just my opinion.  

Why am I telling you all this? Simply to say that I have been and remain to be uniquely unqualified for any good thing that has happened in my life. I remember pulling out of the hospital with our first child 15 years ago and driving extremely slow over the speed bumps. I did this because it felt like her head may roll off. How in the world can we raise a strong woman if I can’t even get out of the parking lot? Well, that little girl is now an amazing person! At the time my opinion was leading me down a path of failure and worry. Prayer, practice, and wisdom from older parents helped us look past our own opinions and onto the exciting journey that was ahead. 

Your opinion of yourself is most likely the biggest lie you have ever chosen to believe. We have a bad habit of disqualifying our self before the person doing the qualifying has even met us. STOP IT! Your opinion is not the final judgment on who you are or what you will become. So how do we break this habit and become people that are able to push through the miry clay of self-worth? 

First, acknowledge that your opinion is not truth. You may believe that it is but understand that you have been conditioned to think much less of yourself than others think of you. Second, seek good counsel from people who have been encouraging to you. Those people tend to see you more rightly than you do. Third, consider all the good things you have in your life and be grateful. Like my dad always says, I have never met an unhappy grateful person. Finally, go for it. This life is not a trial run. This is our only shot to positively affect those with whom we have been blessed enough to know. 

In conclusion, difficult times reveal insecurities and opportunities for improvement. Today is the day for you to rid yourself of the opinions that have tethered you to unbelief. Cut the rope, break the chain, lift the anchor, and let’s collectively come out of this better than we entered. 

You have purpose,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

Your Opinion Doesn't Matter Final
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You Can’t Grow in Sweatpants

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Most of us are working diligently in pursuit of someday not working at all. Ever since Social Security was introduced by FDR, we define the American dream as not having to do anything for anybody. We wrap up this sentiment in one word – retirement.  This dream is not inspiring, it simply sounds like relief. Human beings always seek comfort. When shopping for a new mattress, furniture, or sweatpants, we process the level of comfort the item is providing. We process and prioritize the question, is this more comfortable than that? 

C. S. Lewis wrote, if you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair. As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I’m working overtime to try and keep this letter light and fluffy. The hard part about encouraging someone is that it often involves saying hard things at the right times. That being said, this week we need to exchange light and fluffy for grit and perseverance. Let’s collectively admit that we have all been bamboozled into thinking that comfort is the destination we all want and deserve. 

If you look back at your life you will find that your personal growth has always come from discomfort. So why do we so passionately pursue ease and relaxation? In effect, we dedicate our lives for the opportunity to not be challenged, tested, or held accountable. Makes sense, growth hurts and we can’t measure our growth while we are growing. Only after the growth can we look back and appreciate how we are now better off than we were prior to the discomfort. 

So, here is my encouragement, you are growing! You are improving! You are going to be better than you were prior to the pandemic! How do I know you are growing? I know you are growing because I know you’re uncomfortable. Let’s cheer each other on this week by embracing the discomfort. 

Have a great week, 

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

You Can't Grow in Sweatpants
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Free Advice

People love giving free advice. Pre-Corona, my wife and I would walk through stores with our kids and strangers would approach us with unwarranted tips and tricks. I could spot them from aisles away and knew they were headed our direction. I always laughed to myself and ask the question in my head, “What prompted that lady to go out of her way to provide insight on how she navigated the ups and downs of parenting in the ’70s.” Yet, here I am on the verge of walking up to you all and giving you advice that was not requested. 

One of the benefits of the virtual format is that you can’t really object or walk away. In fact, if you are still reading, this free advice is probably for you. So here it is…Walk don’t Run. Lifeguards have made careers out of sharing this advice with youngsters destined to slip on wet pool decks. Our youngest daughter is learning to walk. She has been crawling for several months and just recently has mustered the courage to let go of the furniture. She started with one step and now you can see here deliberating the fact that crawling is safe, but walking is going to take me places crawling can’t. 

Nobody has ever asked, “When did your kids start running?” They always want to know when they walked. Running is simple when you know how to walk. Too often, we run through life and put terms like goals, objectives, and achievements in place of the word occupied. Due to the pandemic, many of us have been required to slow our pace and take inventory of what is important. We are collectively hearing the lifeguard yell at us, WALK. 

Walking through life gives you the opportunity to enjoy the view, smell the roses, and meet fellow walkers along the way. This week, I encourage you all to walk. We can’t run past this virus and we certainly can’t pretend it hasn’t been difficult. What we can control is the speed at which we walk through this together. Most of the free advice givers typically end their council with, “Enjoy this time it goes fast.” Usually, I would give a patronizing thank you to these closing thoughts but this time I say thank you. You are right, it does go fast, and I am committed to enjoying every step.

Have a great week, 

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

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Failure is Fertilizer

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What is failure? The more I think about failure the more I’m unsure of what it is. Failure in and of itself seems like it warrants a simple definition. I picture Alex Trebek calling out the category Loser.  But the deeper I dive into great men and women throughout history it becomes clear that the failures are what made them great not the successes. Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections, failed twice in business, and managed to mix in a nervous breakdown before we crowned him one of our greatest presidents.  Is it possible that failures are the organic matter we need to prep the soil for greatness?

If that is true, then why do we fight it? To me, failure comes to those that try. If you don’t try, then you don’t fail. Wouldn’t that mean that the more you fail the more you have tried? Don’t we applaud people that stretch the boundaries of their lives? Ok, now I’m totally confused. It feels like I should be telling my kids to grow up and be failures. That can’t be right. 

Maybe failure is like fertilizer. It’s not the fruit your hoping for but it’s the necessary ingredients one needs to grow the fruit. Not just any fruit, tasty fruit. The kind of fruit that people right books about. In this way, failure should be seen as a badge of honor. A mark on your sleeve that says I’m going for it. Failure is liberating. To attempt and fail is setting the groundwork for a plentiful harvest down the road. 

As I look back on my 42 years on the planet, I’m more grateful for the failures I have had then the successes. The reality is the perceived failures were destinations that I thought were the highest calling for my life. Little did I know that these failures fertilized the soil for a journey that has been far greater than the one I was pursuing. 

This week I challenge everyone to share their story. Remember, there is always someone out there who is dealing with the fact that they just blew the biggest opportunity of their life. Pick up a shovel and help them understand the value of the good fertilizer. The future is going to be bountiful, but we need everyone’s failures to help us grow it!

Your story is important!

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

Failure is Fertilizer
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Seal Team Costco – MCFTM

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Recently, my wife and I made a trip to Costco to grocery shop in hopes of not returning to the store for several weeks. The challenge is that we have 9 people living in our house right now. My wife, 5 kids and the in-laws make shopping in bulk a necessity. Going to Costco at this juncture of the virus feels like a seal team six operation. We plan for days, wear masks, gloves and try to pick a time that we believe is most opportune to attack the oversized palettes lining the walls. Prior to the outbreak, Costco trips were delightful. We would peruse the aisles to get what we needed but often ended up leaving with what we wanted. Brilliant placement and poor self-discipline would lead to us throwing palettes of fancy organic fill in the blanks on the regular.

But the recent trips to Costco have been different. My wife and I huddled in our 12- passenger van prior to deployment. Like Patton directing his troops, I stated prior to engagement, we are here to buy not to shop. As we broke the huddle, fully suited up we entered the retail pantheon. She grabbed her cart and I grabbed mine. We split the list and gave each other a look of determination and love all mixed into one.

There I was, alone with my cart and my list. The list in hand included itemized essentials. Meat, adult beverages, chips, salsa, cheese and sides for our dinners. Halfway through my mission I began to scan other members’ carts as well as my own. It dawned on me that the items in the carts were mostly luxury items not essentials. I like to think of myself as being tough and self-disciplined. However, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic my Costco cart is telling a different story.

As I approach the frozen food section it’s all coming into focus. This hardship is stripping away the convenience and luxury that I have come to demand. Wow! As I see my wife merging into the checkout lane behind me it’s now crystal clear. Everything I have ever needed is already in my cart. I have an amazing wife, a fantastic family, an awesome career and friends with whom I would go to battle.

What’s in your cart? Is it possible that we have become so self-indulgent that we are focusing on what is lost and losing sight of what we have? This week, I encourage you all to take inventory of the tremendous blessings in your cart. The what if’s and unknown nature of this epidemic is shaking the impatience, needy and presumptuous attitude right out of us. But if you take a good look at what is in your cart you will find items that cannot be shaken. Family, love, hard work and truth.

No doubt this week will have its ups and downs. Be sure to reach into your cart and be thankful that you have been given all the essentials you will need for your journey.

You were made for such a time as this,

Matt Davenport
C.E.O.

Seal Team Costco - Monarch
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MCFTM – MINE!

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If you have ever been around children, you have heard them shout Mine! My wife and I have 5 kids and we have heard our fair share of these proclamations. Namely, around food, remote controls or iPads. What is that? At a young age, we put on display the sheer force of who we truly are. We panic when we think something is going wrong or is being taken from us so we proclaim, “Mine!” As you age, you learn that you can’t shout like this anymore, so you develop techniques that exude the same emotion without looking so immature. We cut people off on the freeway, we work the system to get to a place we think we deserve. Can’t you just hear it in your head, “Mine!” Ultimately, this “mine” mindset takes us to a place of loneliness and despair. 

Optimism and being in denial sit on a razor’s edge opposite each other. I don’t want to build a sandcastle of encouragement so it’s important that we be honest with one another. We are innately selfish and that leads to all sorts of bad life choices. I know your reading this and saying well…this is not encouraging. But in order to be encouraged you need to be honest and hit rock bottom. Rock bottom is a great foundation to rebuild and rediscover who you really are and who you are yet to become!

The opposite of the “mine” mentality is generosity. Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” This pandemic has been a punch in the face, and I have a plan to get our mind out of the boxing ring and back on track. I call this process the path to generosity. First off, we must be thankful for what we have. If you can’t think of something to be thankful for, start with the fact you can read this letter. Second, being thankful allows you to forgive others that may have intentionally or unintentionally hurt you. One of the amazing things about forgiveness is it leads to freedom. We often don’t realize that when we forgive, we are setting a prisoner free and more often than not that prisoner is us! Now that we have freedom, we rediscover joy. Joy is not a temperamental emotion; it is a state of mind that changes everything. Joy allows you to see others differently. You move from “mine” to ours. We have landed at our final destination of Generosity. 

Generosity is the vaccine for our selfish nature. The trick is that the only lab producing this vaccine is you. As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I implore you to walk the path to Generosity. There are 5 stations on this path and some of them may require longer stops than others. There is no timeline for this journey. Simply keep walking. Enjoy the walk and understand that you are perfectly and wonderfully made for this moment.

Go for it,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.

MINE - MCFTM
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Adulting is Hard – MCFTM

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I have been thinking a lot lately. Truth be told we all have been thinking a lot lately. When is the last time someone told you to do your best? Come on… think about it. If you’re like most it was somewhere around 8th grade when those encouraging but challenging words stopped. Those words were sincere and forced us to be introspective and examine whether our best was good enough in the first place. Why did we stop hearing that? Did adults get together years ago and decide your best would simply not cut it anymore once you’re old enough to get your permit? In high school, doing your best turned into doing better than others. College ratchets the sentiment up even more until finally you enter the workforce. Adulting is hard but nobody ever informed us it would require more than our best. Well, that’s all about to change!

Imagine sitting in your annual review and your boss says, did you do your best? What a strange but motivating meeting that would be. The truth is we don’t always give it our best but that does not reflect on us being worthless. You and I were made just right for exactly the task at hand. Sometimes our effort needs to catch up with our gifting but I’m here to say your best is good enough. You are good enough.

So, get after the week knowing you were perfectly prepared to take on the challenges of today! 

Do your best!
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.

Adulting is Hard
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MCFTM – What Has Bill Murray Taught Us?

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In life, you have decisions to make. Most of these decisions revolve around how you will respond to what life brings your way. I like the idea of responding rather than reacting. As the old adage goes when life gives you lemons make lemonade. 

Today, we are dealing with Lemons aka COVID-19.  How will you respond? How will we respond? Like most 40 somethings I have chosen to turn to Bill Murray for guidance. The great American actor made two films that seem to have been cut in order to guide us through these sour days of uncertainty. 

The first lighthouse is Groundhog Day. Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a tv weatherman who in his own arrogance believes he is beyond the task of showing up in Punxsutawney, Pa. to watch a groundhog do his job. Phil finds himself in a time loop which includes doing the same thing day after day. Sound familiar? For the first several days, Phil maintains his level of smug by being his normal hedonistic self. However, as the movie progresses so does Phil. He decides to respond rather than react. Phil begins to see Groundhog Day as an opportunity for growth and personal development. He learns the piano, how to sculpts ice and to speak French fluently. Most importantly, Phil begins to think of himself less and think more often of other people. As a result, Phil breaks out of the time loop a better human. 

The second lighthouse Bill Murray offers us in this storm is What About Bob.  Bill Murray’s character Bob Wiley is a highly obsessive, germophobic and anxiety-driven patient who recently began getting therapy from Dr. Leo Marvin. Dr. Leo Marvin is a self-absorbed character who is seeing his star rise based on the recent success of his book Baby Steps.  Dr. Leo Marvin’s advice to Bob is to take a vacation from his problems. Bob does so by following Dr. Leo Marvin and his family to their month-long vacation on Lake Winnipesaukee. The serene setting is destroyed by Bob’s relentless and obsessive need for Dr. Leo Marvin’s help. Ultimately, Dr. Leo Marvin is rendered catatonic after seeing Bob unintentionally destroy his Good Morning America appearance and accidentally blow up his vacation home. Bob ends up a phycologist and famous author while Dr. Leo Marvin is stuck in a stupefied state. Bob was always a people person and Dr. Leo Marvin was always Leo Marvin person.

I have been accused of quoting movie lines that are outdated. But, I insist they are timeless and are an important part of our snarky generation’s legacy.  One of the side benefits of the shelter in place has been watching these classic movies alongside the 42 pack of microwave popcorn I purchased in preparation for the quarantine. My oldest daughter is a freshman in high school and tends to be the most appreciative of these weekend viewing party’s we have shared thus far. 

So why did Bill Murray come to mind when I let my mind wonder about the effects the virus may have on us long term? I’m not sure, other than the fact that he is an introvert who becomes an extrovert on film and provides some socially awkward insight into what we are all dealing with when we stare at each other from 6’ away at the grocery store.

What do we learn from all of this? 

In the midst of this difficult time, wash your hands, take this time to improve yourself as a person, think of yourself less often, and take a vacation from your problems. 

Matt Davenport, C.E.O.

What has Bill Murray Taught Us April 6th
What has Bill Murray Taught Us_ April 6th_2
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MCFTM – Chief Encouragement Officer

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In a bold move, Matt Davenport the President of Monarch Environmental promotes himself to C.E.O. Read the announcement:

Being the owner of any business big or small has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Some of the advantages can be a lot of fun. As the owner, you are given the freedom to design a logo, lead a team, create a vision, rebrand, be creative and so much more. 

Another huge advantage is the fact that you can promote yourself at any time! 

Therefore, I’m promoting myself today to Chief Encouragement Officer effective immediately. 

This promotion really does not have anything to do with COVID- 19. However, I must say the virus has highlighted the fact that I truly enjoy encouraging and pushing others to be their absolute best. Being raised by a pastor is partly the reason I often see more in other people than they see in themselves. 

This new title is somewhat kitschy I know. The aim is not marketing, it’s more about defining one of my key roles in a growing business and an everchanging world. 

My dad has always told me that optimists run the world. 

I don’t plan on running the world, but I do plan on being an optimistic encouraging leader to those I’m fortunate enough to know. 

A part of my new role, we will post a brief attempt at humor and insight in a weekly post called “Monarch’s Cure for the Mondays”. I’m hoping to encourage anyone paying attention that the best is yet to come! You were born for such a time as this. 

Sincerely, 

Matt Davenport C.E.O 

Chief Encouragement Officer - Monarch Cure for the Mondays
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4 Common Services & Benefits of a Tree Service Company

The recent Amazon rainforest fire and series of bush fires in Australia brought light to the significant damage that can happen to and in nature. In recent years, there have been massive movements across the globe to save mother earth, and many of them start with planting trees and conserving the remaining ones we have. Today, we’d like to focus on saving and keeping the surrounding trees in your neighborhood in good health.

Trees bring many benefits to our world. They do not only beautify the environment with their various colors, shapes, and heights, but they also play a vital role in maintaining an ecological balance, which is crucial to the growth and life of every living organism. 

Two trees on a hillside
Tree landscape

Regular tree care and maintenance are essential to the growth and lifespan of your surrounding trees. In most cases, hiring a tree service company to look after the well-being of your trees is a great solution.

If you’re wondering what a tree service company does, below are four common services they provide. Also, keep on reading to find out some benefits that you will receive from hiring a tree service company.

1. Tree care and maintenance

Tree care entails every aspect of the processes that can contribute to the prosperity of trees. This includes watering the trees, getting rid of pests, treating diseases, and trimming the leaves regularly, among others. Along with this is the expert advice that they will offer regarding the prosperity of trees and keeping up with the requirements of healthy trees. When the trees are dealt with appropriately, chances are they will become stronger, and healthier. This is what a tree service company can ensure through regular tree care and upkeep.

2. Tree pruning and complete removal

Tree pruning and complete tree removal are vital services that a tree service company can perform. Chances are that there’s a need to cut away dead or overgrown stems or branches, which is crucial to ensure the fruitfulness and growth of your trees. A tree service company can deal with these tasks with ease because they know what to prune and what not to touch. Furthermore, when your trees are old, damaged, or pose a threat to the neighborhood, a tree service company can ensure the safe removal of the impacted trees to ensure the safety of the surroundings.

3. Protection of natural beauty

The goal of every tree service company is to protect the natural beauty of a property while securing the neighborhood and its belongings. Part of the company’s services includes expelling evergreens that have been infected by pests, such as spruce budworm and the Pine Beetle. It has the right product solutions to exterminate these pests without harming the trees themselves. When trees, shrubs, or other plants are infected, the service company can treat them to ensure they grow healthy and won’t contaminate other greeneries in the area.

4. Tree stump removal

Tree stumps aren’t only unsightly, but they are actually dangerous to individuals because they may topple over them. Part of the offering that tree service companies can provide include the removal of tree stumps. If the tree stump is something that you’re worried about, then it makes sense to hire a tree service company.

Benefits of hiring a tree service company

walkway lined with trees

After having discussed some of the common services that are offered by a tree service company, let’s now go over the benefits that you can get from hiring one, including the following:

Injury prevention: For efficient tree pruning and removal, you will need various tools and equipment to get the job done. If you aren’t an expert in these tasks, chances are that you might get yourself hurt in the process. For this reason, it’s best to leave the tree pruning and removal to the experts so that you can stay away from unwanted injuries. These experts have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to perform these services. They also have the protective gear needed to ensure that they remain safe while working.

Time saved: The process of removing, pruning, and even taking care of your trees is time-consuming. If you don’t have all the time in the world, it’s best to leave them to a tree service company. Doing so can help you complete the job faster compared to doing it yourself. Expect that these professionals have the experience and know the best methods to get the work done in the shortest time possible.

Prompt emergency action: During emergency situations, the need to contact a tree service company is imperative for your safety, your property, and that of the neighborhood. If a recent storm has caused your trees to fall and land on your property, this company can efficiently remove the debris and ensure that there are no more risks or damage to property. They also help rehabilitate the trees to avoid further damage by pruning them regularly and removing the weaker branches.

Bracing and cabling: Bracing and cabling are processes used to enhance the stability of the weaker trees by putting a cable in them to provide support. A tree service company can properly perform this procedure because they know what to do and how to install them.

Preventive maintenance and cleaning: As discussed above, the tree company will ensure that your trees remain healthy for as long as possible. At the same time, professionals will reduce any disease, site problems, and insects that may affect the well-being of the trees. Furthermore, most tree service companies offer cleaning services after removing or pruning the trees. This means that there will be no trunks or branches left in your compound.

At this point, you now have a thorough idea as to what a tree service company does and the benefits that they will offer you. If you have surrounding trees that need to be taken care of or if there are issues starting to manifest in your trees, it is best that you contact a tree service company immediately and see how they can best help you. Their work is to provide advice and guide you as the client to take every step necessary to have healthy, beautiful trees.

If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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