going from Good to Great

"GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of organizations never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good-and that is the main problem.Those who built the good-to-great companies, however, made as much use of "stop doing" lists as "to do" lists. They displayed a remarkable discipline to unplug all sorts of extraneous junk."
- Jim Collins

So Happy New Year to Y'alls!

So sorry it's been so long since i've updated this thing... sadly enough, I've been finding it easier to update facebook (plus i know more peoples check fb than they do my blog) :P

Lots has happened since last blog... and lots more is going to happen within these next few weeks/months. it's a little overwhelming...

[breathe in] [breathe out]

this past month has been ooper challenging as i've been watching and experiencing God pulling me back to himself in a deeper way than before. i feel a passion for my life coming back again and it's exciting! funny, actually... because i look back to when i started this blog and i see such a passion in everything. and i had to wonder... where did i lose my passion? where did i lose my "goal"? ... honestly, i don't think that it was just gone in a day... i think things just built up over time, and instead of relying on my faith, i gave up. [sigh] words cannot describe how grateful i am to be back in Taiwan... taking a time of refreshment away from the world that i get so "comfortable" in and re-evaluating my life. this week has been especially helpful for this because my team has been going through The Global Leadership Summit video series and it's blown my mind!

**side note inserted here: if you need convincing that this is really as good as i say it is, take a look at this website and click on the 2010 Highlights - it's really inspirational**

So yeah... anyways... there has been a TON in these videos... like, mind-thinking overload. Seriously going to watch some of them over again (and actually take notes this time) :P One thing that really jumped out to me in this last one (featuring Jim Collins) was when he was giving his speech on "level 5 leaders" and how to attain that. but he had a good point... he mentioned how people can live like they are level 5 leaders on the outside... but they aren't fully living to that potential because their heart isn't in it... [[bwaooooong goes the gong inside of my head]] ouch. how often do i find myself pretending to be excellent... and doing amazing things... and yet, my heart isn't in it. is it supposed to be and i'm just not letting it? or are those the times when i've been in the wrong area of work?

::sigh::

i'm gunna stop myself here, mainly cuz i know that i need to re-watch these video's again (sooo much info... gosh!)

oh!! and here's a quick review of what's gone on these past few weeks:

*taught some amazing weeks of kids. *got to sleep in on new years day. *talked to my little sister (abbi) on skype like 3 times!! *got a letter from my boyfriend, Dean - actually, he's one of my students... but he's my precious little guy too <3

PRAYER REQUEST!!!

* that I glorify God in EVERYTHING that I say/do!!!!!!!

* for the kids/program - that we would be able to get across to each child what they need to hear and how they need to hear it

* for REST (lately i've been running on 4hrs of sleep per night... mainly my own fault, but still...)

* for a desire for God's word - it's so easy to forget how amazing that time is when it's just me+my Jesus... :)

* FUTURE PLANS/DECISIONS: too many choices! and all are amazing (kind of wishing God would close some doors in this case...). between going to college in the States/ going to college in Taiwan/coming back for another year of teaching... {{sigh}} i'm thinking i might just put up a poll on FB and let my friends decide this one for me. LOL. kidding... But seriously, be praying for me because i know there are many good opportunities... and maybe i'm not meant to be doing any of these this fall... so whatever happens, i just want it to be God's Will.... not mine <3

Love y'alls <3

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "...I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to KNOW and TRUST ME." -Psalms 91:14-16 (the Message)