I won't lie. I want a beer.

This sign brought such a smile to my face, I had to explain it to my daughter AND call my husband.  Of course, Karl laughed harder than me.

Honor Marie and I were returning from our Friday Pool Day.  I was at a popular intersection for beggars in KCMO/Liberty (152 and 35--you know exactly where this is if you live in our area).  A gentleman was there, holding this sign, walking car to car.  Unlike all of the other times, I did not give him money, precisely because he was going to buy a beer; but he was honest.  Over the last year, Karl has set an example in our house of giving to beggars/homeless.  It may be the last $5 in our car and what was going to get us gas to get home... but out of our life and as a blessing on another's is where it goes.  Karl states, "What he does with it is between him and God--I just know God wants us to give more."  I am crazy about this man!

Back to the gentleman--I loved his honesty.

Honesty has become a commodity of wheeling and dealing.  In a world riddled with lies, underhand conversations, blaming and things of self-interest, we've come to praise others for honesty and be so surprised when it happens.  Honesty was expected in the world in which I grew up, but apparently I had it all wrong--we should reward honesty rather than expect it (like good grades, hard work, commitment, honor and integrity).  We are the model for Honor Marie.  Too many of our public figures are not honest.  I ALWAYS point out the leaders who embrace honesty, and that stands for those with whom I disagree.

Last winter, another truck tried to pass Karl, illegally, on the right and broke our passenger mirror.  I was not concerned; I told Karl it was the other guy's fault and his insurance would pay for it.  Accidents happen!  Karl said, "No, I do not think he will be honest."  I never even questioned the situation!  Unfortunately, Karl was right.  The man lied, and we had to pay for the damages.

I have not always been honest.  Shamefully, I have told my share of lies, and God as my witness, I will struggle with honesty in the future.  Being honest is not always easy, but easy is not always honest.  I have zero control over another person's choice to be his best.  I have complete control over my decision to be my best.  In the word's of someone I admire, "It's simple.  It's not easy."

In our house, honesty is expected, not rewarded.

Be Uncommon,
PJK :)

Most Likely to Succeed

Social media websites are booming.  There are thousands of people "joining" social networks everyday and for thousands of reasons.  As humans and Americans, we thrive on interaction with others.  Even the most introverted of us want to connect with others on different levels--through our church, our work, our activities, old networks of friends.   Social media shattered the time and distance barriers among friends and family.

I have accounts on My Space, Twitter, Facebook and Linked In.  Right now, I use FB the most, and in recent weeks have reconnected with a lot of classmates from high school.  I have had a blast looking at pictures, reading profiles and exchanging messages... getting caught up on what the Burg kids are doing.

Connecting with CHS classmates got me thinking about our senior year and the awards assembly at the end of our tenure as Bulldogs (this all came to me in the shower, as mentioned in my original blog post).  A lot of awards were given out, and I was honored with Most Likely to Succeed.  At 18 years old, that's quite an idea to wrap one's head around.  Chatting with classmates about the last (almost) 20 years of their lives got me thinking about that award and what "Most Likely to Succeed" might look like.

As I read profiles, exchanged emails, phone calls and looked at pictures... I decided that success was all around me and in so many different ways.  My classmates and I were all Most Likely to Succeed--creating families, embracing professional opportunities, caring for family and supporting friends in need.  Honoring the memory of loved ones who have gone onto a better life...

I was stunned by the sudden and tragic death of one of our classmates and friends, Gretchen Peterson.  She owned an accounting firm in Menomonee Falls and was said to be very happy.  In the days before her untimely death, she was getting ready to spend Father's Day with her family and time with good, old friends.  Though I have not seen Gretchen in many years, my heart ached for those closest to her and for her life ending at such a young age.  I am grateful for Debbie, who was able to share this about Gretchen via FB.

The power of FB helped me to realize that classmates, and friends, like Gretchen have been living their lives Most Likely to Succeed for almost 20 years.  Success is not something to be chased and attained but a force living and breathing inside each of us.  What we choose to do with each day we are given on this earth will determine the legacy we leave.  Gretchen, I am lifting you up and know you are watching over your loved ones.

Thinking about Gretchen, what is the legacy you will leave?  How will you honor each day you have left in this life, not knowing which day may be your last?

Be Uncommon,
PJK :)

Trailblazing Paula and My Blog

If you are reading this and know me, you understand the title of my blog--Trailblazing Paula. This is also my My Space title, and I love it. Establishing this name took over a month--and with help from Globe Trotting Gena (thank you!)--but it fits me well. I love to trail run and hope I am some kind of trailblazer.  I aspire to live my life well and with purpose. I aspire to touch others in some positive way. I aspire to be a good wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, colleague and role model. We all stumble on our path to our life's purpose, but weakness lies in not picking ourselves up rather than the stumbling. My husband, Karl, can attest that I am a VERY CLUMSY gal! I am sorry, Honor Marie, that I have passed on this gene to you tenfold.

I love to read and write. I read both fiction and nonfiction books and typically have 2-4 books going at once. Concurrently, I like to read something political (Right now it's The Third Terrorist.), something fiction (Right now Jack and Jill is my escape!), something econmic/networking (just finished The Next Millionaires--fantastic!) and something nutritional (just finished Eating for Endurance). With this variety, I always have something on-hand in which to dive. Karl bought me a Kindle in December, and I love it. With my Kindle, not only can I download something instantly (or try a Sample), but I do not have to decide which book I want to read before I walk out the door. They are ALL always with me on my Kindle!

I also love to write and am helped Karl setup several blogs in the last year.  I am inspired by how much he loves blogging.

The idea for this particular blog came to me in the shower--yes, the shower! My "big" ideas seem to come to me in the shower, while running very loooonnnngggg miles or while talking with my Isagenix colleagues. These are all very inspiring venues! Then, I like to share them with Karl and try to work out details of my thoughts. This is my introductory post, and I will write my "shower post" in the next few days.

You will not find pictures of my beautiful daughter, Honor Marie, though I will include her in my musings here and there. We do not post pictures of Honor Marie anywhere public--Facebook, blogs, etc.. As her and her daddy are the lights of my life and continue to take my breath away, you will hear about them often! I am also a step-parent to three grown children--Kandice, Brook and Kristian. I love being a mom and stepmom. God sure had a twisted sense of humor when he created the PARENT concept! Parents reading this are laughing (and/or crying).

Be Uncommon,

PJK :)