Tag Archives: wisdom

A Holiday to Learn From

Point to Ponder:
What president can you learn from?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

It’s no secret that I am a quote junkie. Besides a story of hope, perseverance and courage, there’s nothing that gets me more fired up and inspired than a good quote or a book of quotes!

Tomorrow, February 20th is President’s Day, a national holiday. Originally, President’s Day was founded in honor of George Washington’s birthday (his birthday is February 22), however it has since morphed into a day to celebrate all United States presidents. Unfortunately though, as most national holidays have become, President’s Day is overshadowed by commercial sales and the opportunity to enjoy a three day weekend. None of these are wrong, as a sale and three consecutive days off are glorious, however the opportunity to truly observe the day for it’s primary focus has become diluted, overlooked, and even obsolete.

In an effort to bring attention to and honor our nation’s presidents and absorb their wisdom and inspiration, I’ve created a top 25 United States President’s quotes list. My personal favorite president is Abraham Lincoln. In fact, if he were alive I’d volunteer to be his full time protege! His integrity, wisdom, courage and love for family and country is awe-inspiring, so you will see a few extra quotes from him.

Therefore, without further adieu, I hope you enjoy the words of wisdom from our nation’s presidents, all of whom were not perfect (who is, right?!), however their service and wisdom are commendable and worthy of pause, reflection and great gratitude.

“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.” –George Washington

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book wisdom.” -Thomas Jefferson

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln

“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. ” -John Quincy Adams

“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight–it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Great lives never go out, they go on.” -Benjamin Harrison

“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.” -Abraham Lincoln

“If wrinkles must be written on our brow, let them not be written on our heart. The spirit should never grow old.” -James Garfield

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” -Abraham Lincoln

“The harder the conflict the greater the triumph.” –George Washington

“Try and fail but don’t fail to try.” -John Quincy Adams

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorns bushes have roses.” -Abraham Lincoln

“Be patient and calm. No one can catch a fish with anger.” -Herbert Hoover

“It’s amazing what can get accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.” -Harry S. Truman

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” –Abraham Lincoln

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.” -John F. Kennedy

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” -Abraham Lincoln

“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.” -Ronald Reagan

“If you look for the bad in people and expect to find it, you surely will.” -Abraham Lincoln

“If your going to think anything, think big.” -Donald Trump

“The best way not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope and you will fill you with hope.” -Barack Obama

“Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our purposes, not to make a great show in the world, or a name. There is but one just use of power and that is to serve people.” -George W. Bush

“In the end, it’s not the years in the life that count. It’s the life in the years.” -Abraham Lincoln
“If you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is to never quit, never quit, never quit.” -William J. Clinton

“We are a nation of communities….a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” -George H. W. Bush

Action Item:
Learn something from a former president that you can apply to your life.

Member Spotlight: Kelly Glasgow

Unexpected Helpers

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May22_2016

Point to Ponder:
What frustrations or challenges do you currently experience that could become teachers and helpers in your life?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

As I did yesterday, every Saturday I attend a Power Vinyasa Flow class. Each week my goal is to balance out my more intense strength and interval training workouts with yoga, and while I take yoga from three different instructors, my favorite instructor leads on Saturday mornings. This particular class is taught by a man, and what I love most is his introspective and intuitive nature. He is always teaching, both physically and mentally, and I regularly walk away with nuggets of information and wisdom, as I did this Saturday.

Like in all of his classes, they are heated and we begin in child’s pose (my absolute favorite pose in the world). Yesterday, as we melted in child’s pose he said this, “As you can feel, this room is heated. This may frustrate you, but it’s here to help you.” Ahhh….there’s the wisdom that I count on! As my body heated up with the room and I flowed in and out of poses, I contemplated his words.

In the case of his yoga class, the heat, especially once my body is covered in sweat, can be extremely frustrating and maddening, but it helps my tight body ease in and out of the poses more comfortably. And, when I am dripping with sweat, I become more uncomfortable and my mind becomes agitated, so I take long deep breaths and focus on calming my mind. The heat is my teacher that helps me control my breath and my thoughts.

Then, as I moved past the thought of how the heat is irritating yet helpful, I began reflecting on other frustrations and challenges that I currently experience and have experienced, and wonder if they have helped me? The answer is a consistent “yes.” Each one has helped me and taught me a valuable lesson. From unmet expectations and deadlines, being married and having children, to the annoying unknowns and unanswered prayers, they are all my helpers.

For example, the extremely frustrating unmet expectations and deadlines have helped me to relax more and recognize that no matter how long or hard I work, nothing will ever be perfect, there is always room for improvement and there will always be more to do. So, breathe, let go of control, have fun and celebrate all victories- big and small.

As for my husband, he absolutely makes me crazy and I know I make him crazy too. However, marriage has helped me understand compromise and that my way isn’t the only way. Being in a committed relationship helps me realize the significance in letting things go. Even though I always want to be right, I don’t have to be right (all of the time, at least) and just because I do it one way, doesn’t mean that it can’t work another way.

With regard to our children, while I have a ton of fun with them, they drive me bonkers. However, as every mother would confess, as irritating as children (off all ages) can be, children are the best teachers and helpers in life. No matter what age, children help teach patience and letting go of expectations. Little children help me find beauty in the little things. They love without judgement, they do not judge themselves (even their plump bellies and dimply rears), they are fearless, they believe in themselves, and they only want to love and have fun. They help me to slow down, not sweat the small stuff and live for the moments.

Finally, for the obnoxious unknowns and unanswered prayers, they are my helpers because they consistently teach me humility and patience. They have given me the gift of letting go and the understanding that just because I want it now, doesn’t mean that I need it now, or that it’s the best thing for me, now. They are my faith-building helpers and protectors.

All in all and frustrating or not, I think everything and everyone can be our helper. It’s all a matter of awareness and perspective. If we choose to look at things as helpers, then they will become our helpers, but if we choose to fight them and see them only as annoyances and inconveniences, then that’s what they will be. Therefore, rather than avoid a perceived uncomfortable or challenging situation, conversation or opportunity, or wish it to just go away, remember that what we resist, persists, and with a mindset shift these things can become our greatest teachers and helpers.

Action Item:
Rather than avoid a perceived uncomfortable or challenging situation, conversation or opportunity, or wish it to just go away, remember that what we resist, persists, and with a mindset shift these things can become our greatest teachers and helpers.

YOU ARE Nature’s Greatest Miracle

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Inspiration from the iGnite Archives

Point to Ponder:
Do you live like you are nature’s greatest miracle?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

During the weekend I needed a motivational jolt so I grabbed one of my favorite books by Og Mandino called The Greatest Salesman in the World. I immediately thumbed through the back of the book and began skimming through the ten inspirational and empowering scrolls. When used correctly, each scroll is to be read three times a day for thirty days before moving on to the next one. Also, when reading a scroll for the third time each day, it is to be read out loud. The basis of Og Mandino’s method is to create positive mental and emotional programming which breaks down fear and hesitation and builds self-confidence. This then becomes part of the transformational psyche.

While all of the scrolls are powerful, the scroll that I was drawn to was IV, “I am Nature’s Greatest Miracle”, which also reminds me of another one of my favorite book’s of his called The Great Miracle in the World. Before I go on, just stop and think about the mind-blowing fact that “you-are-nature’s-greatest-miracle”. WOW! Regardless of your current mood or state of mind, believing that you are significant and you are nature’s greatest miracle is not only encouraging but it’s life-changing. But wait, it get’s even better. The scrolls continues with wisdom like, “I am not on this earth by chance. I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth I will apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy. I have been given eyes to see and a mind to think and now I know a great secret of life for I perceive, at last, that all my problems, discouragements, and heartaches are, in truth, great opportunities in disguise. And nature knows not defeat. Eventually, she emerges victorious and so will I, and with each victory the next struggle becomes less difficult.”

The words of this scroll not only set my mind at ease, but it also sent my heart racing with excitement, as it is a reminder that we are all made for greatness, and despite our past, our mishaps, mistakes or struggles, our potential is unlimited. Furthermore, with nature as our guide, we can and will bounce back from adversity and stand taller and more wise, as this becomes our gift to one another and to the world.

Finally, as you begin your week I encourage you to live like YOU ARE nature’s greatest miracle and believe all of the council provided by Og Mandino and “Never demean yourself again! Never settle for the crumbs of life! Never hide your talents, from this day hence! Count your blessings! Proclaim your rarity! Go another mile!”

Action Item:
Believe in and live like YOU ARE nature’s greatest miracle. Remember that you were not put on Earth by chance and you are here for a purpose. Never demean yourself again! Never settle for the crumbs of life! Never hide your talents, from this day hence! Count your blessings! Proclaim your rarity! Go another mile!

Let Your Friends & Family Love You Through It

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What’s Love Got to Do With It, Part III

Feb14_2016_SAME 2

Point to Ponder:
Do you reach out to your family and friends and let them love you the way you need to be loved?

Neissa Brown Springmann

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! I hope your weekend and day have been sweet and filled with pounds of chocolate (yes, pounds!!) and most importantly, plenty of lovin!

Speaking of “lovin”, recently I hit a sad and unloved wall, called homesick! Maybe you can relate. As I was driving down the highway to pick up the kids from preschool, the deep and dark sadness hit me. I missed home (Texas) and missed our comfortable life in Austin. I missed my family, twenty years worth of deep friendships, our cozy and sweet home, knowing our neighbors and them knowing me, and familiar faces wherever I went. I missed feeling like I was somebody, people knowing my name; and frankly, I missed feeling relevant, important, and purposeful — the way that I felt when I lived in Austin.

What started the heartache was a text from my sister, letting me know they were putting in a pool. To give you some history, when we lived in Austin my sister and I only lived fifteen minutes apart. Each Friday (and sometimes Sunday evenings) our families would get together. We called it “Family Fun Friday.” As happy as I was to learn that they were getting a pool (a goal they set as a family many years ago), I was so sad for my family! I was heartbroken that we weren’t going to be part of this exciting and fun time of their life and create the memories that I had envisioned. Instead, I just got to see it all via a text, which is definitely not the same.

From that point on and for several days, I was just gloomy and depressed. I did talk to Russell, my husband, and called my mom and sister, and they all lovingly validated my feelings and gave me great advice, which was so helpful. However, it wasn’t until welcome events occurred that I finally felt myself come out of the sad and sunken hole, and nearly all of these soothing gifts arrived within 24 hours of one another.

First, I heard an uplifting and encouraging song called “Good Fight” by Unspoken. Some of the lyrics are, “When we feel all alone and when it’s hard times- keep fighting the good fight, let your light shine, keep on singing, keep on dancing, joy will be your banner and God’s love will be my anthem. God’s never gonna leave me and always gonna see me through to the others side! He holds my tomorrow.” (In case you are interested in hearing the song, click here: Good Fight)

Second, my mom sent me a beautiful devotional about “rainy days,” which, despite it being perfectly gorgeous and sunny in San Diego, I was having plenty of. Not only did it confirm that rainy days are normal, it also confirmed the importance of them. As I read, these words washed over me: “A good rainy season can awaken us, test us and turn us to God. And when we do turn to Him, He may stop the rain, shelter us from the worst of it, or remain with us as it pours. His concern is not our comfort, but our growth.” OUCH! Okay, really?! I’m not sure if you recall, but in the January 31st journal, I stated that my 2016 goal was to GROW. So, there ya go! The moral of that story is to be careful for what you ask for but really, I do know this all is true. I just needed someone to send it to me so I could be reminded. (If you’d like to read it, click here: Devotional Page 1, Devotional Page 2)

Third, I reached out via text to the wonderful iGnite Team, my very dear friends, and let them know that I was struggling. It wasn’t more than one minute that I was flooded with encouraging and loving texts and phone calls–all validating my sadness and feelings. They encouraged me to be mad, sad and cry when I needed to. They reminded me of my 2015 motto, “We can do hard things”, and that at the end of every rain storm is a rainbow. I bathed myself in their prayers, scripture and wisdom.

Finally, several weeks ago I informed a spiritual mentor and friend of mine know that I was struggling with my purpose. At the time I wasn’t sad, rather I was trying to determine what God wanted me to do in San Diego. Then, within 24-hours of hearing “Good Fight”, receiving the devotional from my mom, getting showered by love from the iGnite Team, my spiritual mentor sent me a text. She said that during her quiet time I popped into her mind and so, she sent me the most powerful and true spiritual wisdom. Her text started like this, “What we think determines what we feel and what we feel leads to how we act. When I feel an over abundance of fear or dread or despair, what am I thinking or saying to myself? What thoughts lead to those feelings? Inevitably those thoughts are not the truth. I have an error in my thinking.” (To read the spiritual wisdom, click here: Spiritual Wisdom)

It’s ironic that I preach on the importance of community and not living life alone, yet I found myself in that lonely and isolating place. It happens to all of us, and maybe you are in the middle of it right now too. Or, maybe you know someone who is. What I know to be absolutely true is that while we all are in different life chapters and seasons, we are never alone and we are not intended to go through anything alone. It is essential to reach out to friends and family so they can love us through it and pull us up and out of the hole. That’s what life is all about and that’s what love has got to do with it!!

Action Item:
Avoid hanging onto your troubles, struggles, burdens and/or any sadness that you might be experiencing. Instead, reach out to your friends and family so they can love you through it!

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Spreading Hope, Love and Joy to the Hopeless

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Operation Spread Hope, Love & Joy, Part II

preview-full-kindness

Point to Ponder:
How do you view the homeless or those on the street asking for help?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Sadly, in Austin and in most cities it is common to see homeless, desperate or hopeless people standing at busy intersections asking for help. Despite being advised by law officials and professionals to not give them money, if I have cash, change or any unopened food I always give what I have. And, when I do not have anything to give I get embarrassed and avoid eye contact. Ugh! Definitely not a mature and or compassionate response! I realize that by giving money I could be enabling their pursuit of getting a job or supplying funds for their next possible drug fix, but I don’t know their life story or history so to judge seems wrong and unfair.

Shamefully, there was a time when I didn’t feel this way and my heart was filled with judgement. While I didn’t voice it, when I saw someone asking for help my thought was that they should have more pride and work ethic than to lazily ask for my hard earned money. After all, I grew up with limited financial resources yet managed to work my way through college and make it. Why can’t they? However, several years ago I attended a Caritas luncheon where the co-authors of the book, Same Kind of Different as Me spoke. This experience changed my heart and perspective.

If you haven’t read the book, I encourage you to. Or if you wait until April 2016 it will be out in the theaters. In summary, through volunteering at a homeless meals program in Fort Worth, the co-authors Ron Hall (a wealthy Fort Worth art dealer) and Denver Moore (a literal modern-day hobo) developed a unique friendship. An intense bond was formed and both lives were changed– with Ron’s heart experiencing the greatest transformation. As a result of the book’s message and success, the two men traveled to speaking engagements, with Austin being one of them. Towards the end of the luncheon, Denver, the modern-day hobo and former prison inmate spoke. While he had no formal education, he understood life, the spiritual world, and had a connection with God like I had never seen or heard before. The room was silenced by his compassion, faith and wisdom and while I clung to every word he spoke, it was his advice on whether or not to give the homeless and hopeless money that I will never forget.

Having lived a life of homelessness, desperation and having people look down on him, Denver passionately urged the audience to bypass judgement towards the homeless, as we will never know what they have experienced in life and why they are in the situation they are in. Furthermore, he acknowledged that we’ve all been told not to give the homeless money, however he pleaded that we give what we can, and in doing so respectfully look them in their eyes and smile. Ultimately, he reminded us that we will never know if it will be our dollar, our smile or our words that will be the difference in their life.

After his sincere message, rather than look down on the homeless or beggars, I began to view them, their situation, and people in general with more compassion. I contemplated how I would want someone to treat me, my children, my family, and friends if we where homeless, desperate or falling on hopeless times. Or, if we were just in need of some help, support or encouragement. In doing so I realized how self-righteous and judgemental I had been. Then recently it was upon reading Matthew 26: 34 – 45, verses that I have listened to many times before, that I finally heard and realized how much more I can and need to do:

On His right, he will say; (Jesus) Come here, you beloved, you people whom My Father has blessed. Claim your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of creation. You shall be richly rewarded, for when I was hungry, you fed Me. And when I was thirsty, you gave Me something to drink; I was alone as a stranger, and you welcomed Me into your homes and into your lives; I was naked, and you gave Me clothes to wear; I was sick, and you tended to My needs; I was in prison, and you comforted Me.
Even then the righteous will not have achieved perfect understanding and will not recall these things.
Righteous: Master, when did we find You hungry and give You food? When did we find You thirsty and slake Your thirst? When did we find You a stranger and welcome You in, or find you naked and clothe You? When did we find You sick and nurse You to health? When did we visit You when You were in prison?
Jesus: I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me.
And then He will turn to those on His left hand.
Jesus: Get away from Me, for I was starving, and you left Me with no food. I was dry and thirsty, you left Me to struggle with nothing to drink. When I was alone as a stranger, you turned away from Me. When I was pitifully naked, you left Me unclothed. When I was sick, you gave Me no care. When I was in prison, you did not comfort Me.
Unrighteous: Master, when did we see You hungry and thirsty? When did we see You friendless or homeless or excluded? When did we see you without clothes? When did we see You sick or in jail? When did we see You in distress and fail to respond?
Jesus: I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother hungry or cold, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignored Me.

Despite your faith or belief, the idea that we should treat others as we would want to be treated says it all. And, we have all been given a conscious that guides us and gives us valuable information, which is why I am unable to make eye contact when someone is asking for help and I don’t have anything to give them. I know it’s not right or respectful to not show someone respect and give them the dignity they deserve by simply looking in their eye and exchanging a smile.

As a result, several months ago I began creating baggies of crackers, rice crispy treats, and breakfast bars. And, as of last week I added our printable ‘iGnite spread hope love and joy’ note cards. I keep the bags in my car so that I can have them with me at all times and it truly has made a difference! Therefore, as we continue to focus on spreading hope, love and joy, I hope you will consider doing the same and making care packages that you can hand out when needed. While the person you give the goodie bag and smile to will appreciate your generosity, I promise that your heart will be the one filled with hope, love and joy.

Goodie Bag Basket

Action Item:
Create goodies bags and fill them with helpful items and the printable iGnite note cards. Keep them in your car and with a smile and eye contact, hand them to the homeless, hopeless or someone in need.

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Approach Your Fears with Child Like Perspective

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iGnite - keep focused

Point to Ponder:
Are you a fearful person?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

I’ve always been of the mindset that children have it figured out. It stinks that we have to grow up and often times become jaded, cynical, insecure and obsess over our perceived pudgy legs and numbers on a scale. Children don’t worry about how many steps they take in a day or how many hours they spend exercising. Instead, they simply play — run, jump, spin and dance. They ride their bikes for hours, climb on the monkey bars and enjoy a high-calorie treat without feeling guilt. They stop eating when they are full, don’t talk about others, and without fear or doubt of what others think, they proudly proclaim what they want to be when they grow up, just as my five-year old nephew Cole did at his pre-school graduation when he announced that when he grew up he wanted to own a doughnut shop. Awesome!

Last week while finishing a hike and walking along the beach, I noticed a man, probably in his forties, standing alone in shin-deep water and jumping over every wave that came his way. Like a six year-old would do, each time a wave rolled in, he’d hop over it! It was the most playful, inspiring and refreshing sight. I watched him for several minutes and it was a great reminder that nature gives us everything we need to calm, invigorate and feed our body, mind and spirit. And what I loved so much about this guy was that while he was playing, he wasn’t worried or fearful about what those of us around him thought. In my opinion, the enormity and magnificence of the Pacific Ocean made his fears of what others might think insignificant, while also putting troubles and life stressors in perspective. At least that is what nature does for me. It swallows my doubt and fear and allows me to shine!

Robin Roberts, the always shining and inspiring co-anchor of Good Morning America, has a great line about doubt and fear in her book Everybody’s Got Something. She says:

“We all have doubts and fears. The thing about fear is that it only needs the tiniest space, the size of an eye of a needle, to get through and wreak havoc. Maddening, but true. So, when I was struggling in doubt, I would simply take the next small step. I would stop and think: No, life is not tied up with a beautiful bow all the time, but it’s still a gift. I’m going to tear away the wrapping paper like a kid at Christmas.”

What I love so much about Robin’s wisdom is that instead of running from her fear and doubt or dreading it, she sees it as a gift and looks forward to tearing into it to see what it is, just as a child would and just as Kayla Montgomery, the eighteen year old in the video below, who, despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclorosis and losing feeling in her legs when she runs and when her body heats up, was determined to not only run, but win! It’s their child-like perspective that has kept them curious, eager and willing to conquer their fear, doubt, and SHINE! What a great example for all of us!

Action Item:
This week, try facing situations with the fearlessness, playfulness and confidence of a child.

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Forever Forward, Never Back

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iGnite - go forward, never back

Point to Ponder:
Do you ever find yourself living in the past?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

From September 3 through last Tuesday, September 15, I’ve had company staying with my family. Knowing that I was in a new city with children while my husband Russell was traveling, my father, stepmom, mother and sister all made special plans to come out and be with me on and around my birthday. And, unbeknownst to me, my dad, who is a total worker-bee and can’t sit still unless he’s quickly eating or watching a sporting event, had a specific agenda: to help get us out of boxes and settled into our new house. A.k.a. WORK!

It was wonderful to see my family, and I was so thankful to have them, but by Tuesday I was eager to get the kids and I back to a routine (a.k.a. CONTROL!). The time for exercise, uninterrupted time, responding to thirteen days worth of email and an opportunity to tackle my ever-growing personal and professional to-do list had finally come, and after dropping my children Durant and Malaine off at pre-school on Tuesday, it was MY time!

I planned to take a quick walk around the neighborhood near the kids’ preschool and then go to a yoga class. It was sprinkling outside, but the idea of walking in a light rain sounded delicious. Just before heading off, a dear friend called so I grabbed my phone to walk and talk.

The friend asked how I was doing with our recent move, and I told him I was struggling. I expressed that I was not questioning God’s plan, however the greatest challenge has been adjusting to no longer having an amazing community of family, friends, and support (CONTROL). And, having felt so purpose-filled in Austin, I was struggling with finding my purpose in San Diego, which was why I was clinging to my life in Austin. He listened intently and having moved a lot himself, he validated my feelings and gave me some helpful advice: take baby steps forward, take care of me, and don’t compare my life in San Diego to my life in Austin. It was a new time and I needed to work on slowing my brain down and releasing my expectations. I agreed with everything he suggested, and I proudly told him that today was the day that I was going to focus on Neissa — hence the walk and yoga class.

During my walk, the sprinkle turned into a solid rain—so much so that my eyes burned from the little bit of eyeliner I was wearing. I was totally fine with this because I had clothes to change into, it was MY DAY, and San Diego needs the rain. So, within twenty-five minutes I was back at my car to grab my yoga mat and a change of clothes when I realized my worst nightmare — my purse, wallet, and work bag with computer, day planner, mail, and work notebooks were all gone. They had been stolen! My driver’s license, expired passport, credit cards, check books….gone. It was ALL gone, including MY DAY! “My day” quickly turned into the misery of filing police reports, canceling bank accounts and credit cards, calling pawn shops and driving around with the hope of finding my things lying around the area.

As you would expect, “the day of me” and getting anything on my to-do list accomplished was no longer an option. I won’t bore you with the un-fun details of trying to get an California driver’s license when you have no form of ID except a paper copy of an expired driver’s license, a paper copy of your birth certificate and a Costco card, but what I do want to share is what I learned through the process, as I think it can be universally applied. I’ve had to find reason and some glimpse of positivity in this incredibly frustrating experience. Ultimately, I think it relates to our ability to shine throughout life, as I wrote about a couple weeks ago in It’s Time to Turn On Your Shine.

4 Things I’ve Learned the Hard Way:

For starters, my work, technology and to-do lists have been and are my idols. They give me purpose and security and keep me distracted. Upon realizing that all of my things were taken, it became absolutely clear that God was telling me to let go, trust in Him and let Him take over. Do I think He made this happen? Of course not. Bad things happen to good people every single second of the day, but He knows that I am feeling completely out of control and have been clinging to every thing that makes me feel safe and secure. I shine when I find comfort, hope and security in God rather than things.
Second, while it is a terrible and sad inconvenience, it’s actually nice to have my to-do list stolen! For the first time ever, I’m not busying myself with it and frantically trying to find time on my computer so I can respond to emails. And, you know what? Life is going on! I actually thought I was that important! Yes, I am skimming email on my phone, but I’m not checking email on my phone and computer. It’s actually liberating! Will I get another computer? Of course, and I pray I can recover everything I lost. But for the first time, I am giving myself a real break– because I don’t have any other choice. My poor kids actually get a focused mom. I shine when I am a present mom, wife, friend and person.
Third, you must keep moving to survive. Always go forward, never back. I actually wrote down this quote weeks ago in a notebook…that was of course stolen from my work bag. I heard the words from the goofy kid movie “Shark Boy,” and for weeks I’ve thought about how perfect the advice is for our move from Austin to San Diego, and most recently, how I’ll deal with recovering my stolen items…and really for any of us who struggle with living in the past or comparing our present to our past! As for my recent move, it’s critical that I stop looking back and comparing my life in Austin to my life in San Diego. My spirit will not survive if I continue to do this. I have to move forward every day. Regarding my stolen possessions, I so badly want to live in the past and cry over what happened, dwell on it and talk about how unfair it is, but again, I won’t survive by doing that. I have to move forward, take baby steps and make progress in the recovery process. What’s done is done. I can’t change it and there’s no looking back. Just as with life in general, our past does not define us! Thank goodness we have evolved and aren’t the same people we once were. Most importantly, we will not survive nor thrive unless we focus on our future and on becoming who we need to become and are created to become. Our past has been given to us for memory’s sake and to give us wisdom — but not to live in. Sometimes our past can motivate us, but too often we get stuck in it and are unable to move forward and appreciate what we have right now. For women specifically, we are usually desperate to be the same weight as we were pre-children, on our wedding day or at some point when we were younger. I get that, but that’s no way to live and thrive. I think we would be better served and our bodies would respond in the ways we are hoping for if we treated it with more appreciation and gratitude. We beat ourselves up — thinking we need to look how we used to look. That is torture, and the antidote is to always look forward. We shine when we give thanks and appreciate what we have.
Last, within one hour of the theft, iGnite leaders and dear friends Kathleen Parker and Catherine Sanderson randomly called. It was so comforting and calming to hear their voices. Then, I immediately texted the iGnite Team, informed them of what happened and asked for their love and prayers. Knowing they were praying and sending me love made a significant difference in my attitude and spirit. I knew this before, and I continue to be reminded of the importance of community. You can’t have enough community and supportive friends. We shine in community and are #strongertogetHER!

Action Item:
Remind yourself that your past has been given to your for memory’s sake and to give you wisdom — but not to live in. Look forward only. Appreciate and be present in the now.

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It’s Time to Turn On Your Shine!

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iGnite - let your light shine

Point to Ponder:
Are you a light to those around you?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Excitingly, last Tuesday our kiddos (Durant, 4 & Malaine, 2) attended their first week of pre-school in San Diego. You. have. no. idea. how thrilled I was! Not just for me and my own sanity, but for theirs too. I was excited that we could begin establishing a routine, they could start making friends, their world was expanding beyond “mom,” and I could have a little freedom.

The pre-school they are attending is at the church we attend, The Rock, and it’s in an area near downtown called Point Loma. Like all of San Diego (including the neighborhood we live in), it’s full of a very diverse group of people. Ironically, moving to a more diverse neighborhood was actually something that my husband Russell and I considered while living in Austin before we knew we were moving to San Diego. Now, I realize that our interest was more than just coincidence — rather, it was God opening and preparing our hearts and minds for our future environment.

So, Tuesday was their first day of school and it was an exceptional day for all of us. Absolutely, my heart was a bit unsettled and nervous, but I knew it was necessary for feeling grounded, creating relationships and for our overall growth and development. Then on Thursday, after dropping them off and while filling out paperwork in the school, a heavy dose of loneliness blindsided me out of nowhere. As I I looked around, everything felt unfamiliar. I’m just gonna be honest and say it — no one looked like me (how about that “don’t judge a book by its cover” fail!?). Unlike at the Mother’s Day Out my children attended in Austin, I do not have a relationship with the director, the teachers or any of the moms here. Seriously, I was on the verge of tearing up when out of the blue a random woman walked up, noticed my Stronger TogetHER tank [that I was of course proudly wearing 🙂 ] and said, “I really like your shirt! What’s that about?” I perked up and gave her the 15 second description of iGnite, ending with “we are community-based and believe that in all aspects of life, we are stronger togerHER.” She then enthusiastically invited me to join the women’s Bible study called SHINE. Shine – wow! What an encouraging, happy and powerful word!

That word shine made an impression on me, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. By definition, the word shine means to give out a bright light. As I looked more into ‘shining,’ I was reminded of a sermon I heard by preacher Francis Chan about how a silversmith gets his best, shiniest silver through a process called “testing.” The testing process starts with raw silver in a pot and a fire that is heated to the highest possible temperature. As the silver melts, the impurities rise to the top, at which the silversmith scrapes off the impurities and continues the same process of extreme heat and scraping the impurities off until he or she has the shiniest possible piece of metal — so shiny that they can see their own reflection in it.

What I find remarkable is how this process relates to life and the hardships, stresses, losses, disappointments and discomforts that we all must experience in order to shine. That with the right attitude and perspective, those scary and seemingly ‘unfair’ experiences actually produce maturity, perseverance, faith and wisdom in us so we can shine for others. That’s the part that I was forgetting about on Thursday in my moment of self-pity. I was so consumed by my own discomfort that I was forgetting about my responsibility to shine for others. I had to step outside of myself and my self-pity in order to see the big picture.

Author Marianne Williamson says is perfectly below, suggesting that when we shine, we give others permission to shine:

“Our deepest fear isn’t that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that are more powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, how are you not to be? You are here for a reason! Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It’s in everyone, and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson

Action Item:
If you are currently experiencing hard or stressful times, just remember, you are going through the testing process so you can shine even brighter on the other side. If you don’t have the energy or even the hope to shine, find someone that is shining and allow their shine to brighten yours.

Or, if life is feeling great and you have plenty of shine to give, in all of your interactions, conversations and even casual passings-by, make it a priority to shine. It’s our responsibility to and for others who are not shining to gain strength from our glow. So let’s shine as brightly as we can so others can be inspired and encouraged to shine as well!

What If vs. What Is?

Point to Ponder:

How can you change your thoughts regarding a “What if?” that has been on your mind recently?

by Neissa Brown Springmann

With Father’s Day upon us, I would be remiss not to share some of the best pieces of wisdom my father, Don Brown, has passed along to me, which is: Put a smile on my face, don’t worry and have fun.

There was once a time in my life when I worried about everything and with that came a ridiculous amount of “What-if’s.” It’s funny because now I can’t even specifically remember what all I worried about or what-if’d about, but it happened regularly enough for my Dad to impress upon me that worry and what-if’s would not only ruin my day, but were a complete waste of my time and energy.

Even though I knew my Dad was right, applying the “don’t worry, smile and have fun” philosophy was much easier said than done. Then, before having children I vividly remember ‘what if’-ing and literally freaking out about my future–wondering how balancing a family and career was or wasn’t going to work out. My mind meandered down a million unnecessary paths. Amongst all of the worry, of course everything worked out great. In fact, it worked out much better than I could’ve ever planned or imagined. Not only was my Dad right, but the majority of the time the things I worry about and what-if over never become a reality. I also realized that I could never get back all of the time I’ve wasted on worry.

Along the same lines, but spun slightly differently, my husband Russell recently shared this wisdom he learned from the University of San Diego head baseball coach: “If you are going to spend time on the “What’s,” spend time on what is vs. what if.” I love that! What if we replaced the imaginary “what if’s” with the facts of what actually is? To me, this changes the whole situation, because when we stick with the facts only, we can apply logic and reason. We’d save ourselves a ton of mental, emotional and even physical anguish and stress, and a ton of time — something I am certain all of us can use more of.

I am thankful to admit that the amount I worry and what-if over the years has significantly decreased, but when they do start to creep back into my head and get me emotionally charged, irrational and threaten to sabotage my day, I recall my Dad’s wisdom and strive to not worry, smile and have fun. So, please join me in making it a goal to ditch the worry and what-if’s and focus on enjoying life and having fun!

Action Item:

Focus on the what-is rather than the what-if and enjoy the difference it makes in your daily living.

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the iGnite blog

Body + Mind + Spirit

Tag Archives: wisdom

A Holiday to Learn From

Point to Ponder:
What president can you learn from?

Action Item:
Learn something from a former president that you can apply to your life.

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Member Spotlight: Kelly Glasgow

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Unexpected Helpers

Point to Ponder:
What frustrations or challenges do you currently experience that could become teachers and helpers in your life?

Action Item:
Rather than avoid a perceived uncomfortable or challenging situation, conversation or opportunity, or wish it to just go away, remember that what we resist, persists, and with a mindset shift these things can become our greatest teachers and helpers.

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YOU ARE Nature’s Greatest Miracle

Point to Ponder:
Do you live like you are nature’s greatest miracle?

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