Need a sponsorship agreement? Ask Wendy.

Need information about branding? Ask Cathy.

Need to know how to handle a personnel issue? Talk to Gary.

I received my share (no pun intended) of calls from friends asking for documents and forms, and was happy to oblige. It was the chamber way. We all worked hard for our organizations, our members and our communities/regions/cities. If we could work more efficiently by not having to recreate the wheel, all the better.

I’m no longer in the chamber profession, but today I was thinking about how that lesson has served me well. And how much more I need to learn.

What if I shared more these days? And what could I share that would be of value to someone else?

• Lessons learned the hard way (about dating, marriage, divorce, parenting)
• Lessons I’ve learned from journaling and listening to God
• Lessons I’ve learned about worship – breathing in the very essence of God

And can I drop my guard long enough to let others know I’m in need?

• In need of prayer for parenting teens and any lessons others have learned the hard way
• In need of answers for successful family blending
• In need of following hard after God, despite fear

What about you?
How can you simplify your life by sharing with others? And what do you need others to share with you? And if you’re enjoying the Simplify Journey, would you consider sharing the links with your Facebook friends?

Join Us?
If you’re a blogger, or if you use Facebook notes, won’t you consider contributing a Simplify post and linking back here? If you do, I’d be grateful if you’d use the badge.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. I wondered. Did only certain people receive the gift? I mean, I only work a few hours a week as a Welcome Editor for The High Calling. Maybe I was being presumptuous.

I almost didn’t say anything, but then, what if Laura thought I received the gift, but never expressed my gratitude? She’d think me incredibly rude. Finally I sent her an awkward email and prayed I didn’t make a fool out of myself. As it turned out, I transposed numbers on my mailing address. The package arrived for a dead address and was sent back. All the way to France.

Laura was on it, and remedied my mistake. Despite the fact that there was no element of surprise, each time I checked my post office box, I was filled with anticipation. I opened my Christmas gift last week when it arrived. Once in hand, I knew just what to do.

Wendy and I had been talking about getting together for months but crazy schedules got in the way. A coffee date at a national chain was planned but rescheduled due to sickness. Once the gift arrived, I asked if she might like to come here for tea. I knew I had her. Wendy loves her tea and she graciously accepted, even offered to bring her tea paraphernalia.

Wednesday morning arrived and I went to work. I trimmed down flowers, changed the table cloth and pulled out the china tea cups and saucers Peter’s mom gave me. I got on my hands and knees so I could poke my head into the cabinet next to the stove and fish around for the infrequently used glass tea kettle. Wendy would bring scones or brioches.

When she got here, she had both, and her basket of tea paraphernalia. She instructed me in the art of tea.

Start the kettle. Measure one spoon of loose tea per cup. Always include a spoon for the pot. Pour the loose tea into the infuser. Lock the clasp (which resembled a closure you might find on an old purse in the back of your grandmother’s chiferobe). Carefully drop the infuser into the pot, then clip the hook onto the spout. Wrap the pot in a cozy or dish towel.

And wait.

Dorothea Johnson, author of Tea & Etiquette, says,

“Tea beckons us to enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones, and especially to rediscover the art of relaxed conversation.”

Our conversation flowed from kids, to church, to Bible studies and spiritual gifts, to neighbors and purpose and so much more. One cup turned to two. Minutes turned into hours. No matter.

Tea takes time.

What about you?
When’s the last time you’ve slowed down enough to enjoy time with a friend?

I’m linking up with Ann today for Food on Fridays. If you have a chance, please stop by to see what others are saying. And tell Ann hello for me.

I want my friend to succeed in his business. I’m excited for him because he’s following his passion. I can lend some muscle to his marketing efforts simply by becoming a fan. My acceptance would show up in the news feed of a lot of people. I can also suggest his fan page to other friends.

My new client, however, is in direct competition with my friend. This guy has been in business for a few years and is ready to take it to the next level. He’s asked me to help him with a marketing plan that includes some social media components. I’m looking forward to working with him and helping him grow his business.

If I accept my friend’s invitation, my new client will likely see and it could potentially negatively impact the trust relationship we have. If I don’t accept, my friend may wonder why I’m not supportive of his effort.

Social media provides us with great opportunities but it also presents us with a few challenges we’ve not ever had to navigate before.

What would you do? How would you approach this with your friend? With your new client?

After praying about where God would have me focus my time and attention this year, I came up with my own three words for 2009. They are:

1. Friends
2. Writer
3. Infants

Friends
It seems at every turn in the last few months, I’ve come across books, speakers and testimonies that all highlight the power of positive friendships. As a result, in 2009 I am nurturing a few key relationships with women who understand who I am and the call that God has on my life. I am being vulnerable by sharing my hopes and dreams as well as my fears and failures, trusting that God will use these ladies to sharpen me and bring me into the place of His choosing. It may not seem like much of a business strategy, unless you’ve read Vital Friends, The Power of Who or Say Yes to No.

Writer
I’ve been writing since I was 12 years old – stories, diary entries, devotional thoughts and more. Last month I wrote a post about two women who, independently of one another, affirmed God’s call on my life to write. You can read about that here. In 2009, I am spending more time writing what God has laid on my heart. I am also intentionally developing relationships with people in the writing industry – writers, publishers, agents, editors, publicists and more. Admittedly, I’m not quite sure what God has in store but I fully believe this is a strategic step in line with my calling and purpose.

Infants
I like beginnings – starting new things. It’s actually fun when I get to work with a new business owner or a ministry leader embarking on a new journey. In 2009, I am working with leaders looking for new ways to engage people. So far I’ve:

• Provided leadership coaching for new business owners
• Offered social media consulting for chamber professionals and their members
• Helped ministry leaders develop new opportunities to make broader kingdom impact

My Three Words
Friends. Writer. Infants.

I’m using them to help me stay focused on specific areas of my business. These are the words that will help me use my time most effectively and make sure I don’t get too far off the intended path. Throughout the year, I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing.

What about you?
What priorities have you identified for 2009 and how are you staying focused? If you had to determine your own three words for this year, what would they be? And what advice or feedback would you give me for 2009, based on the three words I’ve identified?

Unbeknownst to me, Dee waged a Twitter campaign to help me reach 2000 followers. A meeting in Charlottesville had me off the grid for most of the day. When I returned and checked my email, tweetlater digests containing my Twitter user name filled my inbox. And my Tweetdeck revealed that Dee had been busy.

Here’s how it started.

And here’s how it continued. (Read from the bottom up.)

Throughout the day, Dee tweeted and her followers retweeted (RT), asking people to follow me. And they did. Crazy! Thanks to Dee’s efforts and the efforts of her followers and others, I gained nearly 50 followers in one day. 48 to be exact.

And remember, all this was while I was in an out-of-town meeting, clueless to what Dee was doing. She created a conspiracy of delight and others participated!

So what are the takeaways?

1. Helping others is good. Shameless self promotion is bad, especially in social media. If I had said, “hey guys, help me reach 2K followers today,” I’m quite certain that more than a few people would have been turned off.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask. Do you need help accomplishing your goals? Or even better… Do you have a desire to help others? There’s power in numbers but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.
3. Engaging people pays off. I’m hoping that Dee offerered this kindness to me because I’ve been about being real, interacting with others and adding value along the way. If I were “Leisure Suit Larry,” Dee would have probably unfollowed me a long time ago. Don’t be that guy!
4. On the social web, people reach out to help others, often without any ulterior motives. Like Laura Fitton‘s tweet for World Water Day or Susan Murphy‘s 12 for 12 project or Connie Reece and Susan Reynolds‘ frozen pea fund.
5. Social friends’ opinions matter. People have always acted based on the recommendations of their friends. You ate at a certain restaurant; you used a hairdresser or babysitter because someone you trusted recommended them. Today, that principle is magnified through the use of social networks. You buy a book, watch a movie, use a web designer, consider using gmail for your corporate email client or more. It’s really quite astounding. (I suspect that Chris Brogan and Julien Smith’s upcoming book, Trust Agents might just have a lot to say about that. You should buy it when it comes out!)
6. And finally, if you’re on Twitter, follow Dee!

What do you think?
Are you engaging people using social media? What can businesses, chambers of commerce and churches learn from all of this? Give it some thought and leave me a comment. Let’s broaden this conversation.

Today, I got this email from my friend Laura:
“I was reading this Scripture verse yesterday and your face came before me:

My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Psalm 45:1”

You can bet those words jumped out at me!

READY WRITER.

Coincidence or God Moment? What do you think? And have you ever had the sense that God was asking you to say a prayer or share a passage with someone?

I’m thankful for obedient people who have been faithful to sow good things into my life. May I be found likewise, faithful.

Transition is Hard
If you’ve ever gone through childbirth (as the one giving birth or the one assisting), you know that transition is the most difficult time of all. The pain is more intense; it comes more frequently, and lasts for longer periods of time. It’s also the most critical. The way we approach transition shapes not only the process, but the outcome as well.

Maybe you’re in a time of transition right now. You’ve been laid off, a casualty of your company’s response to the economy. Or maybe you’re about to be and you’re just waiting for the other shoe to fall. Maybe you’re facing a move to a new location because you’ve found a job in another area. Whatever the case, this time of transition can be painful.

If you’ve built your identity around your job, chances are you’re facing an identity crisis in the midst of your transition.

My Own Transition
Last week I emailed a few close friends to ask them to be praying for me as I further refine God’s call on my life, my business, my writing and speaking. For the last few months, I’ve been sensing the approach of transition and I can’t quite see what’s around the corner. Or if I stick with the childbirth analogy, I can’t see the head crowning.

I enjoy working with groups and speaking. I’m energized when I facilitate sessions on behavioral preferences, social media, or generational differences in the church. I like blogging about business, social media, faith and family. I’ve written a couple of children’s stories that have been particularly meaningful to kids in transition/crisis. I love sharing my faith journey with others. But it all seems sort of frenetic.

I’m in transition and frankly, it’s a bit scary. I’m reminded of my son, Morgan. A little more than 11 years ago, he was almost born on the sidewalk of Virginia Baptist Hospital. I’m not kidding. My transition was hard and fast. I didn’t have time for drugs and I was screaming.

I feel a little bit like that now.

Wise Words
This morning, I received an email from Kelli, one of the friends I emailed last week. She sent me the following words (I’ve slightly edited for space) from God, taken from the Bible yet personalized for me. And they blessed me. Maybe they will bless you as well.

“Cheryl, I created you for my pleasure (Ephesians 1:3-8), not because of what you could do for me or what you would accomplish (Romans 4:3) but simply because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).  Even before I made the world, I loved you and chose you (Ephesians 1:4)…Believe me and let me delight in you (Psalm 147:11). Make me your treasure (Isaiah 33:6). And know that this blessing is forever (2 Samuel 7:28, 29).”

Here’s What I Know
My friend’s email blessed me because it was straight from the heart of God. She didn’t try to share her own biased opinion. She’s wise enough to know that God’s word accomplishes what He intends.

My identity isn’t tied into my personal brand. Hmmm. Even as I write those words, there’s a sense of freedom. My identity is in Christ. Plain and simple. I don’t have to brand myself perfectly to God. He created me. He knows everything about me. And He loves me just the way I am. If you’re facing a career transition, remember that your identity (your worth) isn’t tied into your job, your employer or your paycheck.

There might be more to unpack. If so, I’ll save that for another post.

What About You
Are you in a time of transition? Where are you seeking counsel? Who is praying for you during this time? Are you trying to tie your personal brand or your career into your identity? And if none of those apply to you, how are you being the kind of friend to others who blesses in the midst of transition?

He then said for twenty years or so, he’s been volunteering in the jail, teaching life skills to inmates in a work release program. He asked me if I’d be interested in helping. He went on to share a little bit of his story with me and in less than five minutes, he showed great passion for the work he’s been doing.

As it turns out, I’ve known Roger, peripherally, for many years. He used to play tennis with my ex-husband (more than a tennis elbow ago) and he’s been delivering my mail for a couple of years. Roger said he works well with men, but he truly believes “Men are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.”  And he thought I might be able to speak to the women at some point.

I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite books, Vital Friends, which studies the science of friendship. The book actually begins with a story of a lady named Maggie, who overcame homelessness because someone “expected her to be somebody.”

Like so many things in life, I don’t see clearly how things will take shape. I do know that I saw God in the eyes of a mailman today. And I gave Roger my business card.

When and how has God surprised you recently? And who are the Vital Friends in your life who have expected you to be somebody?