I Need A Do Over

Mulligan – noun – (in informal golf) an extra stroke allowed after a poor shot, not counted on the scorecard.  (Google Dictionary)

Have you ever wanted to start over?

Have you ever made a mistake and wanted to erase that mistake?

Have you ever gotten out of the habit of doing something good and wanted to get back on the right track?

I feel this way about blogging.  I’ve been writing here on my blog for over eleven years, and I have fallen out of my blogging grove over the past several months.

Yesterday, my wife told me she missed my blog posts, and I’ve had a few people check in with me to make sure I was okay after they hadn’t heard from me for a while.  (Thanks for checking in on me!)

I don’t want to erase everything I’ve written in the past, but I sometimes wish I could start over with the same energy and time commitment to writing.  Some of this is in my control, but I also recognize that many things have changed for me over the past eleven years – especially over the past two years since I took on more responsibility at work.

And so I come back to my blog and to you, my readers, asking for a “Do Over.”

I want to get back on the right track, and I’m hoping you’ll join me on the journey.

See you tomorrow!

Do you need a Do Over?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

For ideas on how to get a fresh start, click here.

I’m Still Here – 10 Years Later

I’m still here.

I realize it’s been a while (almost a month) since my last post.  I’m not ignoring you.  I’ve just had a lot going on in my life.

Drinking from a Fire Hose

I’ve officially been in my new job for one month as the Branch Solutions Operations Manager.  Have you ever tried to drink water from a fire hose?  Me neither.  But I get the impression that it’s like being in a new job like this.  Every day is non-stop.  By Thursday, I’m exhausted.  And by Friday, I’m definitely ready for the weekend.  Despite these feelings of exhaustion, I am loving what I get to do on a daily basis.  My department finished June with a record month.  I’m so thankful for my team!

Dynamic Marriage

A couple of weekends ago, Leanne and I attended facilitator training for Dynamic Marriage.  We will be facilitating our first class in the fall at Christ’s Church of the Valley.  The weekend did so much to reaffirm our marriage and to confirm our calling to help other couples strengthen their marriages.  The 9-week class we will be leading is based on Willard Harley’s book, His Needs, Her Needs:  Building an Affair-Proof Marriage.  If you have a great marriage, a good marriage, or a just okay marriage, this class is for you!

Rooftop Reflections

I’ve been diligently working on my next book, Rooftop Reflections:  Missional Thoughts of an Ordinary Guy in an Extraordinary Place.  I finished the manuscript last week, and I’m working to finalize the cover with a graphic designer.  I hope to release the book this summer.  The book has already received several glowing endorsements.  Here is one of them:

“Jon’s stories from Guatemala will inspire, move, and motivate you to consider how you can expand your horizons and serve others more deeply. I loved this heartfelt book and know you’ll love it as well. If you’re not careful, it just might change your life!”

Kent Sanders, writer, musician, creative coach, and professor. Author of The Artist’s Suitcase (kentsanders.net)

Celebrating 10 Years of Blogging

Finally, my blog, Jon Stolpe Stretched, celebrated a significant milestone this week.  10 years ago this week, the blog started.  The blog experience has STRETCHED me in more ways than I can imagine.  I’ve learned a lot of incredible things through my blog, and I’ve met some unbelievable people.  10 years is a start.  I look forward to the years ahead as I continue to share life’s STRETCH marks and as I hopefully STRETCH you.  Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Keep Stretching!

Jon

Looking Back: Top Ten Posts 2016

“I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.”

– Cat Stevens

2016 is nearly over.  At this time of the year, I like to look back on the past, plan for the future, and enjoy the present.  Here’s a look back at the top posts on Jon Stolpe Stretched in 2016:

1. 5 Lessons I Learned By Studying The Life of Joshua
2. 5 Ways To Represent Well
3. Ice Breaker – Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving
4. 13 Delegation Quotes
5. 3 Ways To Respond When Someone Is Unkind To You
6. Ice Breaker – Superhero
7. Ice Breaker – Star Wars
8. Ice Breaker – Strengths
9. How to Respond to the 2016 Election Results
10. 7 Essentials For Overcoming Weariness

What was your favorite STRETCHED post from this past year?  What STRETCHED you the most in 2016?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

2000th Blog Post

It’s when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.

Mike Huckabee

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they marked the occasion by setting up twelve stones as a reminder of the journey they had endured and as a reminder of their heritage.

Today, I write this post as a way of setting up a pile of stones to remind me of my journey and to mark a significant milestone on this journey.

I’m a numbers guy.  I count things and people and other crazy things all the time.  I even count blog posts.

Today, I’ve reached a milestone – my 2,000th blog post.

When I started blogging over nine years ago, I didn’t have plans or of intentions of reaching this target.  I simply planned to write one day at a time, and this remains my plan.

And yet, I think it’s important to stop to celebrate, reflect, and recognize this milestone in my own writing “career.”

When I graduated from high school, I specifically pursued a career in engineering to get me away from writing.  I did okay in high school English class, but it was a lot of work.  Math and science always came easier for me.  When I arrived at Grove City College, I soon learned that my high school English was necessary and important to help me survive and thrive in the collegiate environment.

When I graduated from college and pursued an engineering job, I figured my writing was finally behind me.  I was wrong.  I used my writing skills on a daily basis to write letters, memos, and emails to customers, clients, and coworkers.  I wrote technical documents on a regular basis to describe my engineering documents.

I couldn’t get away from writing.

And then, my friend introduced me to the blogging world.  And something changed.

I developed a new-found love for writing.  I enjoy the discipline of writing on a regular basis.  I appreciate the effort required to articulate the “stretchy” thoughts running around in my head.  And I like the process of putting something together for others to read.

Writing has provided an amazing opportunity for me to tap into the creative side of my brain.  And it has pushed me to new heights and helped to forge new friendships.

2,000 blog posts is a milestone, but it’s just a start.

I have more to say.  I have more to write.

Here’s to the next 2,000 blog posts.

Thanks for reading.  Thanks for commenting.  And thanks for being part of the Stretched Community.

How do you suggest I celebrate my 2,000th blog post?  Share your ideas in the comments.

Nine Years Ago – A Blog Is Born

Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

Lou Gehrig

9 years ago yesterday, I published the very first post on my blog.  In a couple of weeks, I will be pressing ‘Publish’ on my 2,000th blog post.

It all started when my friend, Frank, encouraged me and challenged me to start a blog.

When I started, I’m quite sure I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

Blogging has been an incredible discipline in my life.  I’ve explored many areas of my thoughts on the “pages” of my blog.  I’ve stretched out loud, and I’ve challenged others to stretch on a variety of topics including:  marriage, family, parenting, faith, leadership, and missions.

Blogging has also been the springboard for my connection with people from around the world.  I’ve connected with people in Australia, Germany, England, and Canada (and many other countries).  I’ve connected with people in California, Texas, Georgia, Washington, and Hawaii.  I’ve even met people around my own community as a result of my blog.

Blogging has forced me to learn about SEO, affiliate marketing, guest posting, self-publishing, and list building.  And it’s made me realize how little I really know.

Blogging helped me realize a dream of publishing my first book.  It helped me take a leap of faith.  And it is helping me realize a goal of building 100 houses in Guatemala one house at a time.

In many respects, I feel like I’m just getting started.  I have more ideas to share.  I have more stretching to do.  And I have more to learn.

What will the next 9 years bring?  I sometimes wonder.  I’m hoping to write and publish more books.  I’m hoping to find a way to couple my love for writing and stretching others to support my love for building houses in Guatemala for widows.  I’m hoping to start a mastermind group for dads and husbands as a result of my blog.  I’m hoping to build a legacy for my family, my friends, and my followers.  And I’m hoping to keep stretching.

How does somebody blog for 9 years?  I sometimes get this question.  It starts with one idea – one blog post – at a time.  It starts with a willingness to be transparent and vulnerable and an understanding that everyone won’t like what you have to say.  It starts with an acceptance of imperfection.  And it starts with a decision to repeat it all again the next day or the next post.

I’m so glad I started down this journey 9 years ago, and I can’t wait to post again tomorrow!

When you’re in the day-to-day grind, it just seems like it’s another step along the way. But I find joy in the actual process, the journey, the work. It’s not the end. It’s not the end event.

Cal Ripken, Jr.

What were you doing 9 years ago?  If you started a blog today, what would you say?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

I’m Not Ignoring You

Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring.

Yoko Ono

I’m not ignoring you.  I promise.

I’ve just been doing my best to pay attention to my wife this week.  We were in Vermont for the past week celebrating our 20th Anniversary (a few weeks early).

It was a great week, and I did my best to unplug as much as possible and to practice the discipline of being present.

I’ll have some new posts this week.

Hope you are doing well!

What was one of your highlights from this past week?  Share your highlight in the comments.

Today I’m Going Back to the Future

Back to the Future is one of my favorite movies.  The concept of journeying through the space-time continuum to another time and another space is mind-bending to say the least.  And today, I am actually already at tomorrow.  Let me explain.  My friend, Ralph Mayhew, lives in Australia.  He is a leadership blogger, and he is hosting one of my guest articles.  The post went live at 5AM Thursday Australia time.  But it’s 2PM Wednesday here in my hometown.  It boggles my mind.  Today, I officially went back to the future.

To see what I’m talking about, go visit my article – 7 Keys to Leading Yourself.  Click here to get to the article.

Leave a comment over at Ralph’s site, then come back and let me know what you think.  And in your own way, you’ll be doing some amazing time travel of your own. 

Top 10 STRETCHED Posts for December 2015

Here are the top posts from last month:

1. 8 Things You Need To Know About A Negative Attitude
2. 8 Things You Need To Know About A Positive Attitude
3. 5 Ways To Represent Well
4. Staying On Track In Between The Check-In Points
5. How To Set Right-Sized Goals
6. Merry Christmas
7. 10 Ways to Develop a Positive Attitude
8. Can Johnny Come Out And Play?
9. Ice Breaker – Ideal Vacation / Holiday
10. 5 Lessons I Learned By Studying The Life of Joshua

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

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

Best of 2015

1. Experience The Supernatural

   When I was a child, I watched cartoons.  One of my favorite cartoons was Super Friends.  I liked watching the superheroes from the Hall of Justice work together with their different superpowers to fight evil.  My favorite character was Superman.  He was the leader of the Justice League, and his supernatural powers were pretty cool to a young kid.

   Of all Superman’s superpowers, I always wanted to fly.  I can remember running down the hallway of my parents house from my bedroom into the living room.  Several feet from the couch, I would leap into the air towards the couch.  While I’m sure this wasn’t the greatest things for the springs on the couch, it was a fantastic experience for me.  For a very brief second, it felt like I was flying.

   Today, the television and movie screens are filled with stories of the supernatural.  People are attracted to the supernatural.  They find ways to experience the supernatural through these movies and television shows.

   What if I told you there was another way to experience the supernatural?  (Click here to read the rest.)
   

2. 5 Things To Remember When We Say Or Do Something Stupid

   This post is stupid.

   Wait!

   What I mean, this post is all about how to respond when our words or actions are stupid.

   We all do stupid things.

   We do things we regret – things we’d like to take back.

   We have all said something dumb.  Once we say it, we want to catch our words and stuff them back into our mouths.

   We’ve even done something really ugly.  We’d like to go back in time and delete a scene from our life reel.  But it’s not that easy.  (Click here to read the rest.)

3. In Response To The SCOTUS Decision On Same-Sex Marriage

   Stretch.  This is what I’ve been doing lately.

   I told Leanne on Friday night that I might be done with Facebook for a while.

   After Friday’s Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage, Facebook blew up.  I have friends and family on both sides of the issue.  Some of the comments and headlines I read were well thought out and constructive, but generally speaking the tone seemed disrespectful and hopeless.  The name calling nearly put me over the edge.  In one of the comment threads someone referred to someone as a “F@#$ing Idiot.”

   Many comments were made by people who would call themselves Christians.  This is what pains me.  (Click here to read the rest.)

4. September 2014 – Top Posts & Commenters PLUS BOOK GIVEAWAY(Click here to read the post.)

5. Redefine Rich

   What does it mean to be rich?

   Matt Ham is on a quest to redefine rich.  He writes about it on his blog.  He talks about it on his podcast.  And he’s getting ready to release a book designed to help you think differently about what it means to be rich.

   I’m excited to share some special news from Matt Ham’s world.  He recently released a podcast interview with me.

   I’m so thankful for the opportunity to speak with Matt.  I think our conversation will challenge listeners.  And I think you’ll like it.  (Click here to read the rest.)

6. 3 Steps To Take Before You Can Serve Effectively

   In order to serve effectively, we must first seek out reconciliation.

   A mission mindset cannot be fully realized without our initial conviction and action toward reconciliation.

   Our service for God and for others is misaligned if we have unresolved conviction in our path.

   Before stepping into the mission field, we must look inside ourselves.  We must have a desire for a clean heart.  (Click here to read the rest.)

7. 5 Ways To Represent Well

   Our office received a phone call yesterday from an upset woman.  She was calling to complain about the behavior of one of our employees who was driving one of our company vans.  She wrote down the phone number and van number, and she called in to voice her complaint.

   When I received the news, I naturally called my employee to get his side of the story.  After listening to his story, I spoke with him about the importance of representing our company well.  After all, he was driving around in a mobile billboard – a van with our company’s logo plastered in huge letters across the side of his van.

   We all are representing something or someone.  (Click here to read the rest.)
   

8. No Excuses!

   If God is calling you, you must go.

   We make up so many excuses.  “I have this activity planned.”  “I can’t miss this or that.”  The reality is this:  our priorities are out of whack!  (Yes, “out of whack” is a theological term.)

   Having a mission mindset requires us to respond to the urgency of God’s call.  We must learn to deal with our perceived “inconvenience.”  And we must understand that following through with a mission mindset requires sacrifice.  (Click here to read the rest.)

9. Ice Breaker – Homecoming

   When was the last time you celebrated a homecoming? (Click here to read the rest.)
   

10. How To Explain Death To Your Children

    Sunday morning, we received the unexpected news that one of Leanne’s good high school friends had passed away following her battle with breast cancer.  Tuesday afternoon, we drove to Latrobe, PA for the viewing, and we drove home Wednesday afternoon after the funeral service and some time with friends.

    Leanne’s friend was only 41 years old, and she left behind her husband and three elementary aged children.

    It seems like such a young ago to die.

    As we were leaving the viewing on Tuesday evening, we ran into some old friends.  As we stood outside the funeral home catching up, someone asked “If you were her husband, how would you explain this death to your kids?” (Click here to read the rest.)
    

What was your favorite post from 2015 at Jon Stolpe Stretched?

Top 10 STRETCHED Posts For October 2015

Here are the top posts from last month:

1. 5 Ways To Represent Well
2. How I Create The Images For My Blog Posts
3. The Number One Way To Do What God Says
4. How I Maintain A Positive Attitude (When Negativity Surrounds Me)
5. Book Review: SELAH by Joseph Iregbu
6. 5 Steps To Creating A Personal Success Plan That Works
7. The Discipline of Transitioning Well – 4 Tips for Transitioning from One Event to the Next
8. 5 Fears That Can Control Your Life and How to Overcome Them
9. Ice Breaker – Excited For Life
10. Ice Breaker – First Kiss

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

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