Love harder…

This morning I retraced the route of my heart attack. I drove it this time. Before all you Safety Sue’s get worried that I’m disregarding my doc’s protocol, I’m not. I requested clearance, got approval, so away I went. I had a few teams that I wanted to love…

My first stop was St. Anns hospital, the ER to be specific. I grabbed a wheelchair out of the lobby and unloaded 3 boxes of Becoming BTL books from my car. As I wheeled them back into the lobby, I was greeted by the receptionist who kindly asked me what I was doing. “Just bringing a little thank you to a number of your docs and health workers who saved my life on Saturday.” I felt emotions rising and regulated accordingly. I had autographed copies for Dr. Pfahl and Dr. Archer, I told her. There were many more souls that worked me over in just the right way, I continued, but I never got their names. Would you make sure they know I came back to thank them and have a book for them if they want it? She smiled and said a heartfelt thanks. I know it was a small token, but it meant something to me. You see, I want to live my mantra of “Live hard. Love harder.” I want to focus on loving harder…

As I departed St. Anns, my heart was filled to overflowing. It feels so good to give, doesn’t it? So, I turned the car to the south and headed for my favorite women’s soccer team. You see, these ladies were the last team I practiced with before my rogue plaque attack and they had made a video for me on Saturday sending me all kinds of love and well wishes. Filled my wounded heart that day. As if that wasn’t more than enough, they backed it up with heartfelt notes from twenty two players the next day. I was blown away. In fact, I’ve been blown away by the consistent love flooding my way from friends old and new. A whole lotta love from family, friends, and clients – many of whom I haven’t heard from in years.

Thank you ALL…

Arriving at OSU’s practice fields unannounced and unexpected, I was unsure what to expect. I had no idea. I pulled into the parking lot while talking to Krit on the phone and waited for the players to arrive. After finishing my conversation with Krit, I noticed an old Buick behind me driving very slowly as it pulled in beside me. Grappy! My heart filled again. I hoped out of the car and noticed he was on the phone (always). Perfect. Grabbing the iPad, I quickly took a picture of the famous race car that Grappy drove to victory lane on Saturday – it’s faster than it looks! When his call finished we laughed and decided we would double team a sneak attack on the soccer team and their fearless leader, Lori. So we did. You see, Grappy was busy, had other people to meet, and an airplane to catch in fact, but he always makes time to love harder. Grappy embodies love harder. So, together we told the team one of the leadership lessons we’ve learned from Saturday’s sequence of events. The story is too long to tell here, but trust me, you will be hearing it if you’re a client of ours. You will be hearing it spoken from our hearts. More on this when there’s more time…

For now, I’m filled with more love than I was when the day started. I’ve not been looking for love either. I’ve been focused on giving more than taking – filled beyond believe as a result. Jesus is right, friends, it is more blessed to give than to receive. He knows the heartfelt giver always gets more, a whole lot more. Today, I loved harder. Was. No. Big. Deal. Life is a lot like this. Baby step it. Do a little. Give love. Stop overthinking stuff and waiting for just the right moment. You are good enough, just as you are, to give something small, available, and let the ripple begin. Miss just yelled at me (we’re in opposite sides of the house) that some friends want to stop by with a gift. She wanted to know if anytime was better than another. I said, “Anytime works.” In fact, anytime is the right time to give, friends.

Live hard. Love harder. Anytime…