Point to Ponder:
Who lifts you higher and who do you lift higher?
by Neissa Brown Springmann
With an unbelievable one hundred and five of us in attendance at our tenth birthday bash on Thursday night (crushing all previous party attendance!), all weekend I have contemplated the conversations, smiling faces and old and new friendships that filled the room. It was a humbling, exciting and inspiring evening that will be difficult top. While I continued to reflect, what keeps coming to mind is the quote listed in the picture above, by Oprah, “Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.” This describes the iGnite community, made up of both our leaders and members.
iGnite’s official birthday isn’t until October, but in addition to celebrating in a variety of ways, one thing we will commemorate during the next six weeks are the people in our lives who have and continue to lift us higher.
For the sake of today’s journal, I’m starting with our amazing iGnite team, who are some of my dearest and best friends. Some people may think that mixing business with friendships/pleasure is an irresponsible idea, but for me, working with people whom I admire, respect, love and want to “do life with” is non-negotiable. My personal philosophy is that if I’m going to spend my precious time that God has gifted me to work, it will only be with work and people I love.
Due to schedule and routines, it is difficult to get to every leader’s class and beyond that, getting to know each leader on the same intimate level as I do is challenging. As a result, below is insight from everyone’s bio that sheds light as to why they naturally lift myself and others higher. I also encourage you to click on each of their names, which will take you to their personal iGnite page where more inspiration lies.
SHA KLATT I’m Most Inspired By: My parents are my inspiration! They are in their 80’s and still lead very active lives. They continue to try new things, eat well, exercise daily, travel and most importantly are very involved with their family. They have wonderful relationships with their 3 children and 6 grandchildren, who all adore them. Any gathering is more fun if my parents are there!
Favorite Passage: May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
PAULA HARNISH Personal mantra: Keep calm and carry on!!
My Favorite quote, from the book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz:
1. Be impeccable with your word
2. Don’t take anything personally
3. Don’t make assumption
4. Always do your best
MOLLY DANIELS What Inspires Me Most: Like I mentioned above, I am inspired daily. Being one of the youngest on our team, I look up to all of the women I work with. I treasure and value their advice and take it to heart. The iGnite community inspires me. It is amazing getting to teach women from all different walks of life. I learn something new from them every day. My parents, who have been happily married for over 30 years, inspire me in a new way now that I am married. I seek their wisdom. And lastly, but not least, God amazes me and blesses me every single day. He calls us to serve, love and share, and I feel like I am doing just that in iGnite.
The Best Advice I’ve Been Given: My dad has always told me “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
KATHLEEN PARKER What Inspires Me Most: Staying strong and healthy is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. I believe that if we make fitness a part of our lifestyle, it becomes increasingly easy to LIVE and be well. I am truly inspired every day by the men and women I am blessed to train, and strive each day to make a positive impact on their lives. This life God has blessed me with just gets better every year! I look forward to each day as a new adventure, just as my father does. I am truly enjoying the “ride” and can’t wait to see where He takes me next!
My Favorite Quote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
KATHLEEN “BABE” KEAHEY Who Inspires Me Most: My mom and dad. My mom inspires me to always be true to myself. She is the most unique and caring person and is never afraid to be who she is -which can be a rare quality to find in this world. My dad because of his incredible patience and optimism. He had to deal with not only my mom, but three girls – that is a lot of women to handle in one house and I honestly don’t know how he does it! But he does it with so much kindness and patience, and for that, I thank him.
My Favorite Quote: “Let my faith be stronger than my fears.”
JILL WATTS Personal Mantra: “Everyday is a new day!” It’s pretty simple, but sometimes not so easy to live by. I have learned over the past few years as I have had some major changes in my life and as my children have become older (tweens and teens) that things just don’t always go as planned. You can’t waste too much time being stressed or upset. The day will come to an end no matter how hopeless it may seem at the time, and things always seem better in the morning. Each day you can have a fresh start with a new perspective. Teaching and participating in iGnite always helps me too!
Favorite Quote: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning how to dance in the rain!”
JESSIE D’ANDREA Favorite Quotes:“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and now grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40: 31 / “Everyone smiles in the same language”
What Inspires Me Most: I am inspired by God’s creations: sunrises and sunsets, family, relationships, children, my job I could go on and on. But when I think about who inspires me the most, my sister, Jacky, always comes to mind first. Jacky is a God fearing women who loves her Savior first and her family second. She is a devoted mom to four beautiful children, a loving wife and daughter, and an inspiring big sister.
DELAINE TEEPLE Favorite Quote: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7
My iGnite Experience: When I got involved with iGnite 6 years ago, my light began to fully shine again after the accident. My love and appreciation for the outdoors was rekindled. The positive and inspiring environment that iGnite provides led me out of my comfort zone and into a much more exciting way of living. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be on this team as well as learn from all of the amazing women in iGnite.
BETTY CUNNINGHAM The Best Advice I’ve Been Given: “Look up.” Between carpools and the crazy pace of having 10 children, my mother would pull things out of the air to make us think, especially when we were arguing over things like who had to ride in the “very back” of the station wagon. One of the things she said that has stayed with me is: “Now just think about this, what if God had decided not to share. There would be nothing. No people, no cars, no bikes, no schools, and not even the sun or the moon and the stars. Nothing.”
Personal Mantra: I think I can, I think I can
AMY YOUNKMAN Personal Mantra: “Lord work through me, with me and in me.”
The Best Advice I’ve Been Given: Several years ago my mom, two sisters and I were on a “girls getaway” weekend during which my sister asked, “What is one piece of advice you would like to pass on to us, Mom?” I continue to reflect on my Mom’s reply: “Never look to someone else for your happiness. Find it for yourself.”
AMY CHIBIB What I Love: I believe life is a delicate balance! I have found that joy in helping others, which is why iGnite and my life and career coaching is the perfect balance for my life. I founded Creating Lives that Work and have passion for promoting people, products, and causes and helping others.
Favorite Quote: “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” — Joseph Pilates
ALLI PHILLIPS What Inspires Me Most: My 5 wonderfully rambunctious and active children, Delaney age 16, Sally age 13, Lucy age 13, Ellie age 13, and Liam age 8, along with their iron-man-daddy, David, to whom I’ve been married 21 years, inspired “Backyard Fitness” and continue to inspire me, every. single. day.
Favorite Quote: What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
A variety of equipment is used including: BOSU, medicine balls, resistance bands and weights — making for fun and challenging circuits to keep you interested and engaged throughout the class.
Here’s to a New Year with New Beginnings and — Balance! This year, let’s think about a more simplified approach to resolutions and try to make those resolutions realistic and sustainable. One way to do this is to prioritize your goals as you come up with ‘Less is More’ resolutions. When we focus on doing less and doing it well, instead of doing more and assuming it’s better, we’re less scattered, more deliberate, less stressed, and more present. Our leaders are sharing their ‘Less is More’ Resolutions to encourage a more balanced lifestyle for 2016. Enjoy and be inspired!
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