Stretch Quote – Expand Your Heart (@Daphne_Kingma)

Today, see if you can STRETCH your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also those who need it so much.

Daphne Rose Kingma

It’s easy to love the lovable.

Who do you find it hard to love?

What can you do to show them love today?

Ice Breaker – Ideal Vacation / Holiday

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Question:  What would be your ideal holiday or vacation?  Why?

My Answer:  I wish there was a way to be multiple locations at the same time, but I don’t think that is possible – yet.  Therefore, I would invite my family and friends to join me in Santo Domingo Xenacoj in Guatemala.  We would all visit the week before Christmas, so we could be part of Christmas for Thousands – an opportunity to give Christmas gifts to thousands of children in and around the village of Xenacoj.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

Staying On Track In Between The Check-In Points

How do you stay on track with the goals and healthy habits in your life?

Is there someone in your life who holds you accountable to stay on track?

Do you have regular check-ins which keep you focused on your goal?

Two of my appointments this week reminded me of the importance of regular accountability.

First on Monday night, I had an appointment with my nutritionist.  I visited her back in September for the first time, and I haven’t been back since.  She gave me great advice in September.  She explained how to change my eating and my exercise to achieve some goals I have to live a healthier life.  She recommended I use MyFitnessPal to track my eating and exercise.  I did great with tracking all of this for about four weeks.  I lost several pounds.  I started converting fat to muscle.  And I was starting to feel a lot more energy throughout the day.

And then my second appointment kept getting postponed for one reason or another.  Over time, I stopped tracking my eating.  I thought I was eating fairly well still, and I still tracked my exercise.  But I stopped dropping weight.  I was a little discouraged, but I didn’t have enough accountability going to keep me on track.

Late last week, my wife reminded me of my appointment with my nutritionist this week.  Friday, I started tracking my food intake again.  After all, I didn’t want to show up at my appointment without some information.  On Monday night, my results indicated I was doing okay, but I probably missed out on the opportunity to make larger strides towards my goals because I stopped tracking.  My times of accountability were not close enough to each other to keep me focused (this coming from Mr. Discipline).

I got another reminder on Tuesday morning when I arrived at my dentist appointment.  Just like I had fallen off track with tracking my eating, I had fallen off track with my flossing.  I initially do well for the first couple of weeks after my dentist appointment, and I do well right before my next dentist appointment, but I am terrible in the flossing department the rest of the time.  Tuesday, I had the “privilege” of having a deep-cleaning because I hadn’t flossed and I was growing plaque barnacles on the bottoms of my teeth.  To prevent bone loss and gum deterioration, my dental hygienist numbed my mouth a scraped my teeth for an hour.

We need regular accountability in our lives.

This is why I meet with a mastermind group every other week.  This is why I meet with my men’s group every Friday morning at 6AM.  This is why I go to church every week.  I need these check-ins to keep me on track.

What area of your life requires more of your attention?  Who can you ask to hold you accountable to stay on track with this area of your life?  What works for you when it comes to accountability?  What hasn’t work for you when it comes to accountability?

Share your thoughts in the comments.  Let’s learn from each other!

Stretch Quote – Helping Hand

It is a denial of justice not to STRETCH out a helping hand to the fallen that is the common right of humanity.

Seneca the Elder

What’s in it for me?  This is a question most of us are asking ourselves.

What if this is the wrong question?  What if we flipped the question?

What’s in it for others?  What’s in it for those who really need a helping hand?

How can you STRETCH out a helping hand to those in need?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Top 10 STRETCHED Posts for November 2015

Here are the top posts from last month:

1. 13 Things I Learned Through My Shark Tank Experience
2. 5 Ways To Represent Well
3. Ice Breaker – Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving
4. Refuge
5. Made For This
6. Book Review: SELAH by Joseph Iregbu
7. Preparing Kids For The Future
8. 6 Ways To Reward Your Employees
9. 5 Fears That Can Control Your Life and How to Overcome Them
10. Ice Breaker – Black Friday Christmas List

Which post was your favorite?  What STRETCHED you the most in November?

If you are a blogger, what was your top post last month?  Please feel free to share links.

Don’t Forget This Deal on Cyber Monday

The Monday after Thanksgiving has become a big day for shoppers.  Last year, shoppers purchased nearly $2.7 Billion on-line on Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday was created by marketers to lure shoppers like you and me into purchasing on-line.  Shoppers are enticed with “deals”, discounts, and the allure of avoiding the chaos of in-store shopping.

I don’t know about you, but my family has found it much easier to shop on-line.  We get the things we want and need for the holidays without the pressure of the in-store experience.

Since it’s Cyber Monday and I know you are looking for that perfect gift for that special someone, I thought I should remind you of a gift that everyone wants and needs:

My book, On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field is available on-line at Amazon.com for less than $3.00.  This is the perfect stocking-stuffer or gift for anyone.

Here’s what several reviewers had to say about On Track:

It would be very easy for someone to read the title of this short book and think, “I only watch track every four years during the Olympics…this book isn’t for me.” The author does indeed talk about track and field, mostly at the high school level and in a very light and approachable way. But what this book really does is remind the reader that we all are surrounded in our everyday lives with little things that can help us grow, comfort us, or even kick us in the pants. We just need to be paying attention.

The beauty in this book is the way in which the author sees lessons in the little things, like the way sprinters set up their starting blocks. You do not need to be a fan of track and field to appreciate these observations. I believe that the author is more hoping to arm the reader with a few tools to look for lessons in their own everyday events that are relevant to their lives. Intentional or not, the book certainly did this for me. “On Track” then ties these observations back to recognizable verses of scripture. Much as the author hopes we’ll draw on our own memorable stories in our lives, he provides these memorable scripture passages for us to draw on as well.

I wouldn’t read this book expecting to learn much about track and field. That’s not really the point. This is a great little book to have on hand for those times that you find life getting off track (pun very much intended). It is a quick read that I will be returning to from time to time to get back On Track.  Brian S. Willem

This book is an easy read and well thought out. Jon writes life lessons in parallel with track and field events, he leads us from the starting blocks to the finish line. Whether you know track and field or not, this book is an inspiring work and leaves me wanting to read more and more of Jon’s writing. Bravo for leading the pack on your first book Jon!! Chris Vonada

Such a great read! Jon does a great job relating track and field concepts to our lives in this book. Whether coming out of the starting blocks, overcoming obstacles, or finishing strong, he incorporates stories from his own life and his kids’ lives and connects those with things that we face every day.

As a former hurdler and runner, I could especially identify with his stories and challenges and it took me back to my track days. On Track is a great book for anyone who wants to grow, be stretched, and be encouraged in their role at home, work, and in daily life. I highly recommend it. Great job Jon!  Shawn Washburn

Love that Jon incorporates his faith into his passions in life – into his family, his running, his job. On Track demonstrates how learning good, strong habits and practices are a life learning not just compartmentalized into a sport. Great read for the whole family, and would be great as a small group discussion guide. Good job, Jon! Looking forward to lots more from this new author.  Diane Karchner

Jon takes us on a journey with his love of God and his love of running. There are many lessons of life molding these two loves together. You really get a sense of Jon’s dedication to living life to the fullest and enjoying the gifts God has equipped each of us.  S. Young

Jon offers a tidy little book, a parable if you will, comparing life to running at a track meet. Readers will enjoy sharing the author’s personal experiences and will find the extra boost they are looking for to get their life back on track. An easy, enjoyable and worthwhile read.  Matt Appling

In this book, Jon does a fantastic job of teaching both about track and field (for those who are too familiar) and about life. Several key factors from the starting blocks to the finish line help to show you how to keep your life “On Track”.  Joshua Rivers

Go on-line and order your copy of On Track TODAY.

(If you’d like an autographed copy, reach out to me to discuss details.)

Do you shop on-line?  What’s the best deal you have ever found on-line?

Ice Breaker – Black Friday Christmas List

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Today is Black Friday.  The stores will be busy with shoppers trying to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones.  I’m not a big shopper, so I’m looking forward to simply working off my Thanksgiving dinner and spending time with my family.  This week’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by the holiday shopping season which kicks off today.

Question:  What is one thing on you “Christmas List”?  (What would you like to see under the Christmas tree for you on Christmas morning?)

My Answer:  When I was seven or eight years old, I remember making a Christmas List  for Santa Claus.  I didn’t really believe in Santa Claus, but I wanted to believe he was real, and I wanted to get the things on my list.  I don’t remember what I wrote down on the list, but I’m guessing it included toys from the Sears or Toys ‘R Us catalog.

As I’ve gotten older, I’m generally happy with family time, relaxation time, and peace.  I don’t  need a lot of presents.

If I were to create a Christmas List this year, I could probably come up with a few things (some of these are on my Amazon wishlist).  I like to try new culinary adventures (when I have a chance).  I’d like to build a smoker.  To this end, I purchased a barrel earlier this summer.  Now, I just need the kit (Big Poppa Smokers DIY Drum Charcoal Smoker Kit) to make it happen.  We’ll see if Santa comes through this year; regardless, I’m looking forward to the holiday season with my family.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to you and your family.

If you are reading this on Thanksgiving Day, know that I’m thankful for you and go spend time with your family and friends.

What’s your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Stretch Quote – Tree (Pauline R. Kezer)

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us STRETCH and grow and reach new heights.

Pauline R. Kezer

I don’t like change, but I like to keep growing.

What if continuity and change were meant to work together?

What things do you need to keep doing to building deeper roots?  And what things do you need to start doing to help you reach new heights?

Preparing Kids For The Future

When it comes to parenting our children, I tend to be lenient.  Thankfully, Leanne helps to balance our parenting.  This isn’t meant to say she’s mean or overbearing.  It’s just an observation on how we’ve had to navigate our parenting journey together.  Ultimately, we want what is best for our children.

We don’t want them to experience pain, but there are times when pain can actually help our children for the future.

This was a milestone weekend for us.  On Friday, Hannah, our oldest, turned 18.  (How did that happen so fast?)

She had big plans to celebrate her birthday by heading to the Poconos on a retreat with our church’s high school youth group.  Hannah typically works Friday and Saturday nights, but she can take off if she provides enough notice to her scheduling manager.  Unfortunately, she didn’t give notice, and she couldn’t find anyone to substitute for her on either of these nights.

Hannah talked to us about working on Friday night, and missing work on Saturday night so she could go on the retreat Saturday and Sunday.  Leanne and I really wanted her to go, but we knew it wasn’t responsible or fair to her co-workers to simply not show up for work.

Through a tough conversation and some tears, Hannah came to the same conclusion.  It was hard for her to miss out on the retreat especially on her birthday weekend, but she ended up learning some valuable lessons as a result of the experience.

As we parent, it is not our job to be best friends with our kids.  And it’s not even our job to make life easy for our kids.  We must be diligent in preparing them for the future.  Some times that means difficult decisions, and it always means grace.

What tips do you have for preparing your kids for the future?  What did your parents do to help you prepare for adulthood?