In the past few weeks, I was able to help 2 couples who's wedding plans had been drastically interrupted (notice I didn't say "ruined") by the recent hurricanes.

Listening to their stories and seeing their tears brought me depth, meaning and insight I personally didn't see coming. I thought I was doing the good thing, yet they were offering me even MORE.

I am now convinced that the illusion of control often prevents us from experiencing the true gift that life is.

When Plan B or even Plan X becomes the path before us, we get hung up on what didn't happen and how things didn't go according to "the plan." 

These 2 couples were quite the opposite. They certainly grieved the loss they felt... but that loss led to another path, another plan which was still their story and it was full of life and love. Their weddings weren't ruined at all! To see them embrace the unexpected interruption in their lives made me take a hard look at how I experience life... whether or not I continually receive it as the gift it truly is. : )

My hope for all of us today: SURRENDER THE OUTCOME. 

Back in middle school, I was slimed by my best friend's high school brother during a game of basketball. Near the end of  a pretty heated game, he full-body fouled me with his sweaty, smelly body... and yes, he was on the "skins" team. I could barely open my eyes because of what covered them. It was on lips. Up my nose. It was everywhere... and it was NASTY! 

We all leave something behind... some sort of RESIDUE in our absence. In fact, I would argue that we want to leave something behind... that it is a part of our human condition. We have an impulse to mark things, impart things, pass on things, and impact the world. From gum under chairs and initials on trees, to branded empires and family riches, we WANT to leave something behind.

Every encounter.
Every word.
Every look.
What do you leave behind?
What spills out of you and onto others? 
Do people take notice? I hope they do.
And I hope they want more of what you're full of. 

We all know that we can be full of some pretty choice words. : ) 
We all know that the opposite is also true. 

There are so many people in my life that leave love behind. I can literally feel it when they go. It's almost as if I can even smell them coming.

​And truth be told, I'd rather be drenched in love than almost anything nowadays.