Big Voice

I've always had a big voice. In fact, my voice changed early in life which took some of my teachers by surprise. To be honest, it took me a while to figure out how to use my voice properly. I knew that I had some power, but it took an 8th grade English teacher to help me develop it. She taught me how to use modulation and inflection to make a difference at the right time. I've had to work since then to learn the best method and time to use it.

Not everyone has a loud, deep voice, but all of our voices are important as long as we discover the right time and situation to raise it. If you are always speaking loudly, people will eventually tune you out. If you never speak up, you will miss an opportunity for influence and a chance to be a catalyst for change. 

Can we figure out the best method, time, and place to use our voice? I think it's absolutely essential if we want to have an impact that lasts.      

No Regrets

I've seen people who tattoo this on themselves as a symbol of their willingness to take risks. Adopting this as a life philosophy is sometimes used as validation for poor decision making and an excuse for recklessness. In spite of that possibility I want to adopt this motto for my own life. I don't intend for it to be a license to take foolish risks, but instead as motivation to leverage every opportunity:

• Always telling my family that I love them
• Stopping what I'm doing to have conversations with my daughters
• Giving my wife a good night kiss
• Holding my wife's hand whenever I can
• Praying for people in the moment they ask
• Taking risks of generosity with our finances
• Seeing strangers in need and engaging them in that moment
• Seizing a unique opportunity of faith that takes us out of our normal routine
• Investing in a potential leader who might not fit the typical mold
• Breaking out of routines and stretching my thinking
• Establishing new disciplines that help me overcome poor lifelong habits

I don't want to have a ton of regrets at the end of my life, but I want to make sure it's for the right reasons.