Kathy Butryn

 

Happy Saturday my friends!

This week has been a full week.

Alan and I attended LIFE 2011  where we were encouraged and deeply moved by the teaching of the Word by Hans Peter Royer, and by the awesome worship led by Kellen Jones (our son-in-law). Being at the conference left us filled up with renewed vision and energy in both our personal and ministry life.

We also had the privilege of teach some workshops together at Truth Alive 2011, a conference for ministry leaders and spouses that piggy-backed the LIFE 2011 conference. 

Interacting with these amazing men and women filled us with gratitude, as God used them to inspire us and minister to us.

Both watching and experiencing the care of those who looked after our needs as speakers, as well as  those who were looking after the logistics of the conference behind the scenes, reminded us how important it is to self-lessly fill others that minister with us with encouragement and care as best we can.

While spending time chatting and praying with some of the gals from our women@calvary ministry team before teaching at Growing Deeper, I was lovingly filled with their affirmation and encouragement to "keep on keeping on."

Listening to the "courage" stories and lessons from the special women who attended Growing Deeper and hearing them pray from their hearts, caused me to fill up with a stronger connection to these gals and a strengthening of my own "courage muscle."

Walking into my office building on Thursday--although physically tired after the conferences and Growing Deeper earlier in the week--I was filled with the realization that it was a privilege for me to be there...and I was thankful for the opportunity to build into the lives of my co-workers as a coach and workshop facilitator. An added bonus: they build into mine too.

Yes. It's been a full week.

I'm a better person for it.

How about you? How was your week? How did God use people, circumstances, events or opportunities to fill you up? How were you able to fill others up?

How blessed we are!

Thanks for dropping by today...talk to you again next week!

hugs...

"And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up to love and helpful deeds and noble activities..."

Hebrews 10:24

commit to your life::cherishing your relationships - a lesson in the boardroom

Yesterday, while wrapping up a workshop called Unleashing the Power of Personal Responsibility, I challenged the leadership team I had been teaching to a Call to Action...to identify 2 changes they were willing to work on immediately that would indeed help them to unleash the power of personal responsibility in both their personal and professional lives.

 

As a Learning Specialist for a global corporation, I strongly believe that:

"Real learning happens when we turn our knowing what to do into doing what we know."

-Kathy Butryn

As a result, each seminar and workshop I teach, and each coaching session I conduct, I try to lead the participant(s) to a point of making a solid decision before leaving. This way, there is a greater chance that the knowledge they just gained and/or were reminded of will make an impact in their lives.

After giving these folks a few minutes to reflect and to write down their 2 Call to Action choices, I asked if anyone had any other insights or observations they wanted to share with the group before we left.

It was quiet--for about 10 seconds.

Then, a man sitting at the opposite end of the boardroom table from me spoke up.

"Hmmm. This should be interesting." I thought to myself. 

While watching this guy during the hour-long workshop, I was really trying to figure out if he was actually engaging with it--or just putting up with it. He seemed distracted--checking his blackberry often; shifting in his chair; and avoiding eye-contact with me by continually glancing down at his  power point deck.

"My take-away today is that I need to take personal responsibility for my "over-reponsibility."

"Interesting. Would you be willing to help us better understand what you mean by that?" I asked.

"Well," he continued. "Just last night I was busy answering some emails on my blackberry, and my son kept asking for a drink before he went to bed. I remember hearing the words 'Daddy, Daddy' and feeling him tug at my arm, but I was too busy doing important things to pay much attention. 

He continued.

"When I finished answering the email, I vaguely remembered that someone had been calling my name. When I finally recalled that it had been my son, my heart sunk. I had chosen to return a non-critical email before I had chosen to meet the needs of my boy. I was over-responsible. That's why I need to take personal responsibility for my over-responsibilty. He continued on the explain how he was going to do it.

When he finished, there was a moment of silence. This was an ah-ha moment for him, and I wanted to create some space to allow his ah-ha to sink deep for all of us. 

Everyone had been drawn in by the courage of his authenticity and vulnerability. Heads were nodding in agreement and understanding. We all "got" what he was saying. It was very powerful.

"Yep. He was engaged." I thought to myself. "That was definitely a sign of turning your knowing what to do into doing what you know."

What keeps you distracted from paying attention to the most important relationships in your life?

Cherish your relationships. 

We have been reminded again--by a lesson in the boardroom.

Who knew?

Cherish your relationships is one of the 5 timeless ingredients to a committed life. 

Have your read this week's newsletter. Let's keep in touch!

connecting...

Thanks for dropping by to connect!

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Want to leave you today with this thought...

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another.

-Walter Elliot

Everyday we need perseverance, don't we?

For instance, I just deleted this post 3 times while trying to write it.

Kept hitting the wrong button and had to start over again. Yikes!!!

So whatever "wrong button" you  may be hitting today, be encouraged to have patience and persevere...one short race at a time!

hugs...and have a great day,

Did you read yesterday's post yet - a chat on my virtual front porch?

It will help you cultivate your inner life!

commit to your life: cultivate your inner life

 

I'm not sure what it is like where you live right now...but where I am, there was a lot of snow-shoveling activities goin' on over the weekend.

That fact alone makes a chat on my virtual front porch kind of welcoming, don't you think?

read more...

(head on over to The Heart Change Place to read a post on cultivating your inner life, one of the 5 timeless ingredients to a committed life)

Have a sweet day,

25 ways to commit to your today - sign up today

I want to be more afraid

Ok, so I assume you are thinking, "She wants to be more afraid? What's up with that?"

Yes. Actually I do.

 

I want to be a woman who is more afraid of missing opportunities than making mistakes.

I want to be a woman who is more afraid of life-long regrets than temporary failure, hard work, what people may think of me, and disciplined habits.

I want to be a women who is more afraid not to dream the unthinkable and attempt the impossible in the time I have left in my life.

 I want to commit to my life.

It takes courage to declare this.

It means it will be harder to slide back into the easier way to live my life--that is, being not afraid.

But truthfully, I am at a point in my life now where I am more afraid not to say it.

 

How does one commit to their life?

Over the past 6 months, I have been searching for the answer to that question through prayer, reading my Bible, talking with others much wiser than I, and reading books.

As a result, I have God has opened my eyes to 5 timeless ingredients to a committed life.

 

 

"The difference between where you are and where God wants you to be may be the painful decision you refuse to make."

-Craig Groeschel 

Could this be the painful decision you need to make: to be more afraid of life-long regrets and missed opportunities than any possible failure or people's approval, so that you can live each day  single-mindedly engaged in God's purpose and will for your life, no matter how unthinkable or impossible that seems right now? No matter your age? No matter your circumstances? No matter what season of life you are in?

Ok, so I have never extended an invitation quite like this one before in my life...but here it goes.

If you are afraid like I am...or you want to be more afraid,  let's take this journey--together.

That's what KathyButryn.com and The Heart Change Place are all about.

With God's grace and guidance, let's commit to our lives--the gift He has given us--together.

What are you waiting for?

Love you.

PS...you won't want to miss a post. Be sure to subscribe to Kathybutryn.com.

haircuts and missed opportunities

The first thing I read today was a blog post from our church leadership blog, written by Dave Lombardo, one of our pastors at Calvary Church. 

God used it to get my attention (or as my sweet friend Kasimira would say, "it  got to my spirit like a heat seeking missile") and I just knew I needed to share it with you today.

So, with Pastor Dave's permission...here it is...

************

 I don't like getting my hair cut. 

There are a number of reasons why, but the main one is that when I leave I am rarely satisfied.  If you're reading this, then there is a good chance you have seen me before and might be saying that there is nothing special about my hair.  You're right.  It's pretty basic. 

Yet, when I leave the barber shop I feel like I should have had a little more taken off the top, trimmed the sides shorter, etc. 

This happens because I don't speak up when they ask me how I'd like it to be cut.  When asked how I'd like my hair to be cut I usually jokingly respond 'shorter'.  They think I'm kidding but the truth is I do want it shorter but don't know how to be specific or detailed. 

That is why I am rarely satisfied when I see my reflection in the rear view mirror as I drive out of the parking lot.  It's too late.  I've missed my chance.  I'll have to wait for my next cut.

 

Now, I know it's just a haircut and that I will be going back for another cut in a months time.  It's not really a big deal and I will have a chance to try and explain better next time around.

But what about the times when we miss opportunities to share about our faith because we don't know what to say?

 A few weeks ago I was driving home from hockey with a non-Christian friend.  We began talking about the Discovery Channel and a T.V. special he had watched about the ocean.  He was telling me about how incredible wildlife creatures are and how mysterious the ocean floor is and then went on to say that it's hard to believe that everything came to be "by some big explosion in space that happened a billion years ago".  "Yeah.  It is pretty crazy," was my response.

 The results of not knowing what to say to my barber is far less important than my pathetic response to my friend's observation.  He provided me with an opportunity to bring the scriptural account of creation into the conversation and I didn't.  The Leafs scored (we were listening to the game on the radio), the conversation change to their losing streak and the opportunity was gone. I missed it. 

I might get another chance to share my beliefs on the God who created our incredible planet.  I'll have to wait and see.  I should have been prepared in that moment.  I should have known what to say.  It is more serious than a bad haircut.

Are you prepared to make the best of an opportunity like the one I missed?

 I'm praying for ya.  Please pray for me, too.

 Dave

************

It is time for us to commit to being prepared to "give an answer" when God graciously opens the doors for us to share His love with others?

Are you prepared?

Like Dave said...I'm praying for ya. Please pray for me too.

mini-mentoring moment

(ring of my cell phone)

Kathy: Hi Ruth. Good to hear your voice. How are you today?

Ruth: I'm good. Just calling to let you and Pastor know that Art (mid-nineties!) was taken to the hospital by ambulance last night. He has several infections, but on the right medication now.

Kathy: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that--but glad to hear they have found some medicine that seems to be working. How are you? How can we help you?

Ruth: Just pray. You know, I just told Art yesterday that it was the first day I actually was feeling myself. (Ruth is recovering from a health issue herself.)

What Kathy Expected Ruth To Say: Can you believe that? I just get my feet back on the ground and here we go again. There's just no rest for the weary. How much more can we take at this age? (Or something like that...after all, sounds justifiable, doesn't it?)

What Ruth Actually Said: Oh Kathy, isn't God just so good. He has given me back my strength right in the nick of time so that I am stronger and able to deal with Art not feeling well.  I'm just SO grateful. God is just SO good to me.

Kathy: You are so right Ruth. God is so good. I would love to pray with you right now on the phone before you go. Would that be ok?

What Kathy Was Actually Thinking: Wow God. You are good. Her attitude is completely different from what I think mine would have been. These few words from this godly woman have reached down deep in my heart and really challenged me--and blessed me--all at the same time. Just a little thing, yet she reminded me just how great You are to meet every single need I have--and will have today.

 

And that was the simple conversation that took place on the morning of January 3rd.

Within that conversation was a "mini-mentoring moment"--an older godly woman teaching a younger woman (that would be me!) through her example, her attitude, and her words.

No mentoring appointments had been set up. No books had been followed. 

It wasn't formal. It wasn't forced. 

It just was a God-moment. A mini-mentoring moment.

A moment that made a life-giving impact on the rest of my day.

Yes, God is SO good.

p.s. What mini-mentoring moments is God surprising you with today?

How can your example, attitude, and words have a mini-mentoring moment make a life-giving impact in someone else's life today?

a look back at Christmas

 

Before we get too far into January, I thought it might be fun to share a few family memories from Christmas 2010.

Blessings under the tree.

Some game playing at Grandma and Grandpa's...

...and more game playing back home!

My guys...Kel and Cam!

My girls...Megs and Jenn!

Jenn and my great-niece

"Girl Talk" -- my niece and Megs

Lunch at Wasabi...meeting Iven's family for the first time!

 

Thanks for dropping by today for a snapshot at our Christmas season.

We trust you and yours had a very Merry Christmas, and we wish you God's favour and blessing in 2011!

 

(...and all the rest of the family too!)

your two best days of the week - every week!

Did you know that every one of us has two amazing days each week where we can be completely carefree, never worry, and free from fear and apprehension?

Ready? Here they are:

Think about it for a minute. 

Whatever happened yesterday--all of it's cares and frets; all of it's pains, and aches; all of it's mistakes and blunders; all of its regrets--is now beyond our control.

There is not one thing we can say or do to "un-do" or "re-do" what happened yesterday.

 

Whatever will happen tomorrow--its possible adversities, burdens and challenges; its failures and mistakes; its large promise and poor performance--is as beyond our control as yesterday is.

There's not one thing we can say or do to be all-knowing and controlling about what is going to happen in our lives tomorrow.

We have no possession of our yesterday or of the unborn day coming tomorrow.

But, we do have today!

If we only have today, we need to ask ourselves how we spend our day?

Do we spend it tied up tighter than a fiddle string with regrets about yesterday?

Do we miss out on today because all our time is consumed on what is going to happen in our future (or our children's future?)

So how can yesterday and tomorrow possibly be the two best days of our week...every week?

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

That's how yesterday and tomorrow are the best days of our week!

How will you choose to spend today?

spend your day before it starts

During one of his recent podcasts on monthly budgeting, I  heard Dave Ramsey say something to the effect of: "Spend all your money on paper each month before actually spending a dime."

Good budgeting advice.

In other words, plan ahead. If you do, chances are you will have more money than month left over. 

How important it is to carefully allot our precious resources.

That's what I am doing today.

 
Not financial resources. My time resources. The gift of hours and minutes given to me each day.

There is no such thing as an unimportant day! Not only that, Psalm 90:12 tells us to "number our days." 

Spending my hours and minutes on paper before starting my day is one way to keep my focus on the importance of each day--and the perspective that time is a passin' by whether I take responsibility for what fills that time or not.

Spending my hours and minutes on paper before starting my day helps me to better chart my path and live my journey...thus being able to better commit to my life--which is what kathybutryn.com is all about.

So, that's what I am doing right now...on this Monday morning. Spending my hours and minutes on paper. Arranging my day, and thinking for this coming week.

I use a tool that I have created that comes with me everywhere I go. Let me know if you are interested in a copy of my "arranging my day" form.

Meanwhile, do you spend your time before your day starts? I would love to hear how do you do it?

Need a spark of inspiration as you "spend your day" before it starts? Sign up here for 25 Ways to Commit to Your Day. You'll receive 25 short emails coaching you through practical and motivating ways to make your day count.

After all...how we live our day is how we live our lives!!