Tag Archives: inspirational

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Journal Activity for the Start of a New Year or New Venture: Mini Post

Journal Assignment for the start of a new year or venture:

Shoot for about a page or whatever works. Don’t concern yourself with spelling, grammar, or what others might think. Just get it done.

Today is  a three-parter:

1) Make a list of your goals and resolutions for the new year or new venture.  This is a list. Think finances, health, professional, spiritual, family, home, personal, mental, etc.

2) Write a short paragraph describing the person you want to be a full year from now, or at the completion of your venture. What do you look like? What are you wearing? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Where are you? Where have you been? How do you feel? Who have you helped?

3) Pick the BIG three areas you will focus on every day. Here are mine 1) Working Out 2) Writing/Publishing my first book 3) Locating new audiences for my art and words.  What are your BIG three?

That’s it.

The start of a new year or new venture is a indeed a magical time full of possibilities.

Find the time and get it done. Now.

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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Christmas Greetings

christmaswindow1Too often people greet one another with a hearty, “How are you?” without any genuine concern, and when the recipient begins to inform them of exactly how they are doing, the greeter tunes them out. We have a sort of linguistic apathy or sterilization that takes place in our society. Our language undervalues the meaning of certain words and phrases over time.

One such phrase that we cannot allow to be devalued is Merry Christmas. In truth, the phrase is most sacred in meaning and expression. When offering someone a “Merry Christmas” we should be fully attentive to its precise meaning and present it with a genuine smile. I cannot imagine a better greeting or farewell than a sincere Merry Christmas.
There has been much attention in recent years to the use of Merry Christmas in stores, cards, and promotions, or more accurately its lack of use in our society. I personally disapprove of the use of “X-mas” and I do indeed feel it leaves Christ out, but I mostly keep those thoughts to myself. I have never really felt that people use it to be purposefully disrespectful, and I have even heard arguments that it is Christian in origin, as ‘X’ was the Greek symbol for Christos, or Christ.  Still, it is not for me.  As for the use of “Happy Holidays” I am not so bothered, but I still prefer Merry Christmas.  The word “Holiday” is a compound word formed originally from “Holy” and “Day” which is exactly what Christmas is, the holy day.
For me, the concern is more about the tone and expression of the greeting.  Regardless of whether we share a “Merry Christmas” or a “Happy Holidays”— is our heart and soul into it? Or are we just going through the motions? Christmas is our most sacred holiday. The music, food, decorations, singing, lights, and all the merriment is meant to celebrate the birth of Our Savior. Our attitudes should also reflect this great joy.
Charles Dickens’ creation of Ebenezer Scrooge is a holiday classic. His Christmas Carol succeeds because all of us can identify a “Scrooge” in our lives, and to be honest, within ourselves from time to time. The holidays can create stress, anger, and even depression, but only because our focus is tuned to the distractions and not God.  Let Christ truly be our focus this holiday season in both our greeting and in our hearts.
It is so easy to get caught up in what Christmas isn’t really about. Let’s set aside our worries and pains this Christmas season, and celebrate, with great merriment and joy, the birth of Christ.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your homes be filled with much laughter and happiness.
~ Kelly
Kelly is an inspirational speaker, author, and artist.
Please visit our website to book Kelly for your next event.  
www.kellycroy.com  info@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825
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Rediscover Advent by Matthew Kelly: A Book Review

Matthew Kelly is one of my favorite authors and speakers. He is a New York Times best-selling author of over fourteen books, a world renowned speaker, and business consultant to more than thirty-five Fortune 500 companies. I am proud to call him a friend and he is certainly an important influence in my life. Last week he sent me a copy of Rediscover Advent. It was the only book of his I haven’t read, and with the stores already decorating and advertising for Christmas, I guess I was ready for a book about ‘The Season’ as well. I am glad I read it early, because there is much I discovered and wish to share with you.

First and foremost, Rediscover Advent is more of a devotional, to be shared during the Advent season, rather than one to be read in a setting or two. At 94 pages it certainly can be read quickly, but that is not its intention. The book is divided into five sections. The first four are devoted to each week of Advent, and the fifth to Christmas Day itself. Each section is broken down for a reading each day complete with Scripture, Meditation, Reflection, and Prayer. Much of the Reflections come from Matthew’s acclaimed Rediscovering Catholicism.

Second, while this book is certainly written with a Catholic audience in mind, like all good writing and well thought-out ideas, its intrinsic merits are a benefit to all denominations. It is a gem for all who look to deepen their Christian faith and make a stronger connection with the Advent season.  After all, the Meditations, Reflections, and Prayers are all Scripture based. This is a work to bring unity not division.

Last, I highly recommend this book to each of you this season and encourage you to begin it at the start of the first week of Advent and follow along each day. As we prepare our homes, our kitchens, and our calendars, let us also prepare our minds and souls for the wonders of Christmas.

I know you will find Matthew’s words inspirational and well-timed. Rediscover Advent is a perfect pre-holiday gift to help renew your enthusiasm for connecting more spiritually with the entire Season of Christmas known as Advent. Would also make a great gift for a family member or friend.

You can order your copy here.

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.

Kelly has an FUN and POWERFUL Christmas presentation for YOUR EVENT that includes:

a six foot by eight foot chalk art presentation, computer animation, and talk for all ages. 

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

including corporations, schools, churches, conferences,

and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825


			


	
	



					
						


	

				

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Would Steve Jobs Consider You a Bozo?

				
	


	
	

		
This is the biography of Steve Jobs that I read.


The world is filled with admirers of Steve Jobs, and rightfully so. The man was an incredible visionary, innovator, speaker, businessman, leader, and communicator. His impact has left little untouched.  One overlooked talent though, was his use of simple language to convey his passion for a product or service. How many times did we hear him say, “insanely great, phenomenal, awesome, revolutionary, amazing, and of course magical?”


His word choice was in sync with his passion for minimalism in design and the simple elegance of his presentation. Uncomplicated. Straightforward. Direct. Powerful. The advertisements, stores, packaging, and even his dress embodied this motif.


He chose simple words, but words powerful in their connotations. They were chosen with care. They were delivered with passion. They told a story.


My favorite term Jobs used was when he called someone or their idea a Bozo.


Bozo was a term Steve would use to describe someone that just didn’t get it. Click to Read More








			


	
	



					
						


	

				

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Chalk Art Tribute to Steve Jobs

				
	


	
	

		
A tribute to Steve Jobs:



Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.


He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation


including corporations, schools, churches, conferences,


and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.


Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.


www.kellycroy.com


1-800-831-4825

			


	
	



					
						


	

				

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September 11th: A Celebration on a Solemn Day

				
	


	
	

		
9 11 Tribute Final


Today is September 11th and our home reflects a dichotomy of emotions.


A woman on the television solemnly reads the names of those who lost their lives ten years ago at the World Trade Center.


…our house is decorated with balloons and streamers.


Airports are on heightened security due to unconfirmed reports of terrorist movement.


…we will eat cake and sing.




Our leaders hold their breath.


…we celebrate my daughter’s birthday.


Today is September 11th.


 It’s not easy celebrating anything on such a solemn day, but I cannot allow my daughter to be robbed the joy of celebrating her life. Still, my mind drifts elsewhere. I think about the lives lost, and I briefly question the wisdom of going to a cinema or a shopping mall in fear of some act of revenge on the anniversary of perhaps the darkest day in our history. We proceed. Perhaps our decisions are weighed a little move heavily. Perhaps I am a bit more conscious. I privately and publicly mourn those who died, honor the heroes, and carry on being a father.


That’s what Americans do best; we carry on. March forward. Advance.


We do not forget.


My daughter gets it; the day is no longer hers. An unfortunate lesson. A sad coincidence. A lesson in service, honor,  perspective and gratitude. Families were robbed of loved ones, our country defiled of its innocence and safety, and her day is overshadowed by the remembrance of a tragedy.  In truth, she would have it no other way.  I believe she feels honored to celebrate her life today as a tribute to so many who gave up theirs. At times it seems odd, and at times, perfect.


Yes, today is September 11th. It’s okay to celebrate birthdays, cheer for your football teams, drive your child to soccer, and laugh at a movie. If we didn’t, the act of terror would have succeeded and continued, and the so many who gave their lives so willingly, truly would have died in vain. We must carry on, march forward, advance, yet never forget.


At church this morning we were reminded to forgive, and I know that cannot be easy. I celebrate my daughter’s life while another father marks the anniversary of his daughter’s death, and yet, I know forgiveness indeed takes place. How do you do that? I am amazed. I have much to learn.


September 11, 2001 was an incredibly humbling day for me. It was as if Death itself had given me a glimpse of my own mortality, a reminder of life’s frailty, and an understanding of the horrors man can conceive and act out.  Yet within that shadowy bush of thorns, a blossom of hope and courage emerged like a single red rose, as I was also given a glimpse of the courageousness of mankind, witnessing selfless acts of every day people, stepping forward like the heroes in the comic books I read as a child. I saw giving, sacrifice, compassion, and the complete erasure of nearly every dividing characteristic. On that dark hour we were not aligned to political parties, economic classes, or members of a race. We stood together.


From the ashes of destruction fueled by misguided hate rose a nation united, determined, to advance against a common cause, to make an impact.


On our country’s darkest hour, I was reminded what it means for me to be an American, a Christian, a father, and a neighbor.


Today is September 11th and our home reflects a dichotomy of emotions.


Carry on. March forward. Advance. Never forget.


Happy Birthday Allyson.


Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.


He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation


including corporations, schools, churches, conferences,


and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.


Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.


www.kellycroy.com


1-800-831-4825

			


	
	



					
						


	

				

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Reward Commitment: Invent a buy-back program

				
	


	
	

		
I picked up my daughter’s basketball sitting


Deflated basketball


where she practices at home.  It was as smooth as an apple.  Useless.  All the bounce was gone, and it was becoming threadbare in some areas. I was about to toss it in the trashcan and get her a new one when my daughter stopped me.  She told me she was taking it to practice with her that day and that her coach would give her a new basketball. In fact, she elaborated, her coach would give her a new basketball for every one she wore out.  Wow! What a fabulous idea!


My daughter’s coach did in fact give her a basketball for every one she wore out, but more amazing than that is that her coach instilled in her a desire to practice, gave her a visual goal, and reinforced the successful habits of a committed athlete. Well done.


I incorporated that idea into my own life. I have been wanting a new laptop for some time. Not just any laptop, but the new MacBook Air from Apple. I have saved my money and all I need to do is place the order, but I made a commitment to myself to wait until I have finished the book I have been working on for the past two years. My current laptop used for writing will be replaced with the new one when the book is finished and query letters mailed.


It’s easy to become distracted, but there are techniques we can employ to counter them and become more productive, and I believe creating your own buy-back program is an excellent idea to meet your goals.


Discipline, focus, commitment, and training are the keys to success in any area in life, whether it be writing, sports, art, or anything else. The distractions become less influential when we have a clear measurable goal in front of us.


I hope you can find an area in your life that you can set-up a similar buy-back reward program. Perhaps you can use it with a friend or family member, or perhaps even with yourself.


Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.


He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation


including corporations, schools, churches, conferences,


and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.


Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.


www.kellycroy.com


1-800-831-4825

			


	
	



					
						


	

				

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What’s Next?

				
	


	
	

		
Question mark“What’s Next?”


Is there a marathon in your future? Certification? A trip? A new house? A book?


Asking, “What’s next?” can be incredibly powerful, perhaps even a life-changing question. A question that can change the quality of your life. A question that can change your purpose, perhaps even create your legacy. Too often the question is either avoided completely or embraced too quickly.


Some people ask, “What’s next?” with excitement and anticipation. Others avoid it outright.


Avoidance: Why are some people afraid to ask, “What’s Next?” Perhaps they are comfortable and complacent where they are at and they don’t want to disrupt that false sense of security. They live in their past accomplishment, and talk about what they have accomplished. Everyone should celebrate their victories in life, but everyone needs to move on to a new challenge sooner than later. Asking, “What’s Next?” creates progress and forward movement, and it’s fun. Sitting down and planning your next big move, goal, event, project, race, or plan is excitement building time. I love these creative periods of brainstorming and envisioning.


But I’m Content: A friend of mine tells me he is content. He believes what’s next will find him when the time is right. In the meantime he relishes in his stories of past accomplishments. I understand that, because he really has accomplished much, but for me I must ask what’s next and seek it out. Life is short and I want to make the most of it. When opportunity presents itself, I will pounce on it. In the meantime, I will be attempting to make my own luck in this world. I will show gratitude, I will be thankful, but I will not be content. There is too much in this world to do. I am thankful for the innovators before me where not content. Mother Theresa could have stopped her life of service in her sixties.


Are your greatest days in front of you or behind you? It doesn’t matter what your age is or your physical status. You can accomplish great things and you should be asking what’s next.


Premature: Some people ask “What’s next?” prematurely. I suffer from this. I am always anxious to move on to the next BIG thing, sometimes my energy shifts before I have completed an important project. What’s next is powerful and important, but it has it’s place and time. Make sure you finish up your project or dream before moving on too quickly. If this happens to you, I encourage you to read my post, “It’s Not Time for That Yet!” and learn how you can maintain those great ideas, finish what you’ve already started, and prepare to ask yourself, “What’s next?”


Magic Hour: The best time to begin envisioning what you will do next is not after you accomplish your current goal or project, but as you enter the final finishing stages. Hemingway always abandoned his writing for the day mid-sentence to keep himself fresh and eager to dive back in to writing. I know I must sign up for another athletic event before I finish competition on my current race or I will get a touch of the blues and fall out of training. I know my wife always enjoys looking forward to a trip. Apple computers has a pipeline of “what’s next” products they are preparing. You should have a list ready in your journal and actually begin working on it as you finish your latest and greatest life victory.


I hope you decide to connect with me on Facebook or Twitter and let me know what’s next for you.


www.kellycroy.com


1-800-831-4825


Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker.


He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired.


Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.