On Winning Awards

Last week I was honored with an award from the young professionals group I'm apart of. Kirksville Young Professionals named me as one of the 5 Under 40 in our community. Here's the story.

I'll say it again, what an awesome honor. There were 22 nominees and each and every one of them have done outstanding things for our area. It was an honor enough to be named in their company. Brett and I have simply fallen in love with Kirksville during our time here and even if we move on to a new town, it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

My fellow awardees 

My best friend and nominator, Amanda!

It feels so awesome to be recognized. It makes me happy and feel so warm and fuzzy. It makes me feel good. But it also gives me a chance to reflect on leadership and service and fellowship.

Here is what I want to say about being recognized as "top" professional- I'm really not.

Probably sometime last year, I read this blog post on Single Dad Laughing. (Read it. Seriously, it's life changing.) You might recognize him as the author of the "16 Ways I Blew My Marriage" post that has gotten quite a bit of traffic lately. Since then, it's been a bit of a mantra for me. I see people around me as "SP" or "FP," that is those who spread perfectionism and those who fight it. I've vowed to be a person who fights it.

I don't mean to be self deprecating, only to be honest. Sometimes, I don't really like being so busy. Sometimes I skip meetings so that I can go home and watch movies. Sometimes I say "yes" when I mean "no." I leave tasks undone. I check Facebook at work. A lot.

I want to be inspiring to others. I want them to feel that service to their community ought to make up the fabric of their personhood. I want people to give and to praise and above all, to experience the awesome fellowship that is sharing the human experience. But make no bones about it, I'm far from perfect.

I'm humbled and simply thrilled to have been honored by my recognition. There are many thanks to be given to both of my bosses, my best friend Amanda, and my husband Brett- all who nominated me. There are thanks for those who have let me share in their successes, who have welcomed my input, implemented my ideas, and mentor me still. As always, there is a pillar of supporting holding me up.

I hope you feel like you can engage in real leadership, be ambitious, contribute to your community, and yet maintain relationships that encourage, support, and uplift.

If you could give one piece of advice about leadership or service, what would it be?