What Will People Remember About the Life You Lived? Like so many people in East Tennessee and around the world, I have been reflecting on the remarkable life of Dolly Parton. Of course, Dolly leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy. But when I think about her life, I keep coming back to something bigger than the songs, awards, fame, or success. She used what she had been given to help other people. Through the Imagination Library, her support of children and families, her generosity throughout East Tennessee, and countless other efforts, Dolly demonstrated that success can become a platform for service. I also deeply respected the Christian faith she openly carried throughout her life. She never seemed to forget where she came from, the people who helped shape her, or the God she credited throughout her journey. There is an important lesson in that for all of us. We spend so much of our lives pursuing the next goal—another accomplishment, promotion, opportunity, client, degree, or financial milestone. Those things can certainly matter. But perhaps a better measure of a successful life is asking: Who was better because I was here? Did I encourage people? Did I open doors for others? Did I use my gifts well? Did I remain grounded in my values and faith? Did I leave something behind that will continue helping people after I am gone? Dolly Parton certainly did. Her life is a powerful reminder that our greatest accomplishments may not ultimately be what we achieve for ourselves, but what we use those achievements to do for others. Thank you, Dolly, for an inspirational life and an extraordinary example of using your gifts to make a difference. What is one lesson from Dolly Parton’s life that inspires you? #DollyParton #Purpose #Legacy #Faith

Have you ever felt the weight of Monday before Monday even arrived? I recently wrote a blog post about a sunrise at Hunting Island and how that quiet morning reminded me that stillness is not wasted time. At the time, Lisa and I were preparing for major life changes: becoming parents, moving to Knoxville, and beginning my Ph.D. journey. That season reminded me of something important for anyone leading, working, parenting, studying, or trying to keep moving through a hard season: Sometimes the next step becomes clearer when we stop long enough to breathe. Stillness does not mean we are avoiding responsibility. Sometimes stillness helps us return to responsibility with a steadier heart, a calmer mind, and a renewed sense of God’s grace. As we begin another week, maybe Monday does not have to feel like a punishment. Maybe it can become a fresh start. Read the full reflection here: https://bit.ly/46iTig4 Question for the group: What is one small way you can create stillness before the week gets busy? #StillSpeakingStillStanding #HardSeasons #LeadThroughHardSeasons #FaithAndLeadership #StillnessMatters #MondayMindset #OneStepAtATime

I recently came across these pictures of Annabelle and Jace from their school. Jace was a tiger, which fits his energetic personality pretty well! 🐯 Annabelle was a bunny, which seems equally appropriate for her curious and imaginative spirit. 🐰 But what I love most is seeing them hug. Being a father comes with tremendous responsibility, and some days are exhausting. *Yet these pictures remind me that responsibility and joy can exist at the same time. That is also important during hard seasons. We can become so focused on what needs to be fixed, accomplished, or survived that we overlook the good happening right in front of us. You do not have to wait until life gets easier to experience joy. *My challenge today: Notice one good moment in the middle of your responsibilities and actually allow yourself to enjoy it. What brought you some joy this week? #HardSeasons #ChooseJoy #StillSpeakingStillStanding (Asterisks added to emphasize key points)

I recently came across an old video of my son, Jace, when he was about two-and-a-half years old. Our family regularly attends Knoxville Ice Bears hockey games, and even at that age, he already knew the cheer: “Let’s go... Ice Bears!” 🏒 Watching the video made me smile, but it also reminded me of something important when we are navigating hard seasons: *We need things to look forward to. When life becomes difficult, our calendars can start feeling like one long list of responsibilities—work, bills, appointments, deadlines, family obligations, and whatever problem needs our attention next. That is why I believe there is value in intentionally creating positive moments on the calendar. For our family, Ice Bears games have become one of those traditions. For you, it might be a date night, a concert, a hike, dinner with friends, watching your favorite team, attending church, taking your kids somewhere special, or simply setting aside an evening for something you enjoy. These activities do not make our problems disappear. *But they remind us that our lives contain more than the problems we are currently trying to solve. During a hard season, do not only ask yourself, “What do I need to get through this week?” Also ask: “What can I give myself to look forward to?” Put something on the calendar. It does not have to be expensive or elaborate. Give yourself a reminder that there are still good moments ahead. *What is something you are looking forward to right now? #HardSeasons #SomethingToLookForwardTo #KeepMovingForward #StillSpeakingStillStanding (Asterisks added to emphasize key points)