S.U.M.M.I.T. Leadership

"The unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones." - W. Somerset Maugham Have you ever looked at someone else and thought to yourself  "How do they accomplish so much?" Ever work on your goals for a while, but then lose motivation, and quit? Leaving yourself frustrated and discouraged? You need to create better habits. We vow to get up and exercise every day, but then the weather turns bad or we have conflicts in our schedule, or we're a bit under the weather, and then suddenly we don't feel up to it anymore. We vow to write thank you notes for every gift we receive, but then we get busy and caught up in our regular day-to-day activities. Soon time goes by and by then what's the point? We vow to eat healthier foods, but we get in a rush and fast-food becomes more convenient.  It always seems that we are quick to stop doing the things that are good for us and give in to the bad habits. We need to...

"Life doesn't get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient." - Steve Maraboli When it comes to tough times it is easy to get overwhelmed with what's going on in the moment.  How bad things are, how frustrated we are, how painful it is, how huge the issue feels.  The reality is, everything passes. Difficult times never stay difficult forever. No matter what the situation is, the way we deal with it make the difference as to how we come out of it.  The difference comes from resilience and perseverance. Don't give up and don't give in. Your resilience is your ability to adapt, shift your mindset and bounce back when things don't necessarily go the way that you had hoped, or planned. To be resilient means that you see the situation for what it is, nothing more, nothing less. Don't dwell on it. Learn to change the way you think about difficulties and problems. Think of it as a challenge, not as a paralyzing event. Isn't it funny that...

"Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far." -  Jodi Picoult These are anxious times. We all deal with anxiety at one time or another, because it’s part of our brain’s response to a perceived danger, even if that danger isn’t real. It’s our body’s natural response to stress. The problem is not that it is there, it’s what it can become if we let it. Anxiety is that thin stream of fear trickling through our mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. Anxiety is not dangerous, it's just uncomfortable. When you are feeling anxious, remember that you are still you, and you are not your anxiety. Take a step back and inhale. You're never given anything in this world that you can't handle. Be strong, be flexible and remember who you are and who loves you. Take a moment now to stop and thank yourself for how far you've come. You've been trying to make changes in your l...

"Every day is a new day, and you'll never be able to find happiness if you don't move on." - Carrie Underwood Every day is a new day, and a chance for a fresh start. Recharge, Refocus then Resume.  Recharge your positive energy and your positive mindset. No matter what yesterday was like, today is a new day and a fresh start. Start it off with a positive attitude full of gratitude and thankfulness. Today is a day you've never seen before and once it's over, you'll never see it again. Approach this day with a curious mind. Seize the wonder and uniqueness that makes today its own beautiful day.  Refocus on what it is you want to accomplish. Start your new day with fresh new energy knowing you are preparing yourself for new possibilities and new opportunities.  Opportunities to accomplish new tasks and achieve new productivity. Opportunities to add value to other people's lives. Opportunities to create positive change. Opportunities to improve yourself. D...

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." - Brian Tracy  What are you thankful for? Truly grateful for? And how often to you take the time to count your blessings?  Life is not always easy. To find gratitude and thankfulness can be difficult when times are tough, and things may not always seem worth giving thanks for. But like many things in life, the solution is simple, but not always easy. We should always try it anyway. Try to see the situation from a different perspective and take control of your thoughts. Allow yourself to be in the difficult situation and be grateful inside yourself. Grateful for what? Grateful for the lessons learned. Grateful for the growth and expansion you are in the middle of. Grateful for all you already have. Grateful for your ability to turn things around. Grateful for the opportunity t...

"Love springs from the inside. It is the immortal surge of passion, excitement, energy, power, strength, prosperity, recognition, respect, desire, determination, enthusiasm, confidence, courage, and vitality, that nourishes, extends and protects. It possesses an external objective - life." - Ogwo David Emenike Life is great, learn to live it! Life is too valuable and too short to be anything but happy, so make the most of it. Do more, worry less.  Control what you can control.  Smile often.  Have fun.  Listen to music.  Sing and dance.  Laugh with others, as much as you can.  Tell the people you care about, how much you love them.  Love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances and give freely with no regrets.  Do what makes you feel good and stop doing things that don't benefit you.  Learn to appreciate the things around you.  Look for the positive and the good in everything.  Carry an attitude of gratitude in all you do.  Pr...

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney Do you ever have a plan for the day and suddenly it's 5pm and you've achieved literally nothing? I have. I mean, it's ok to relax. It's good for you both mentally and physically. But you know as well as I do that at the end of the day, you get the most satisfaction out of actually getting things done. Checking things off your list. It's not from lounging around doing nothing that you feel satisfied; it's when you have everything to do, and you've done it. So don't wait, don't hesitate. Just get up and start doing. Don't talk, just act. Don't say, just show. Don't promise, just prove. Don't wait for opportunity, create it. Do it now: Sometime later often becomes never. Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today. Don't do later, what can be done right now. Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want ...

"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything." - Thomas Carlyle Happy World Health Day 2021! Every April 7, the World Health Organization chooses to highlight a special theme current in the wellness and medical world. Ranging from mental health, to insurance, and everything in between. This day sets the tone for what’s to come in the world stage, and this year’s theme is "Building a fairer, healthier world."  World Health Day is a day to reaffirm our gratitude and appreciation to all those who work day and night to keep our planet healthy. A shout out to all of the health care workers, and organizations focused on serving this mission. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the value and importance of our health. Many of us have come to realize this over the course of the past year. Life is short, and unpredictable. As individuals, in general, we all need to take better care of ourselves, our loved ones, and each other. We need to do a better job ...

"The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey These are unprecedented times filled with so much uncertainty.  Causing drastic changes in the way we do things.  Some things may never be the same.  But here's the thing about change, we know it's the only constant thing.  Change is always going to happen, it is always going to come.  You are either creating it, or you becoming a result of it.  Which do you choose?   With social distancing, some of us have been awarded with the gift of time (or the illusion of more time).  Think about it, you might step out of bed and you are instantly 'at work'.  No long commutes.  Less driving around to go to 'events'.  What are you doing with this 'extra' time? This is the perfect time to create change within ourselves and stay productive. Create a list of things you want to get done, and start doing them.  Set a new workout regimen...

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  - John 11: 25-26 Happy Easter Everyone!  Wishing each of you my very best, as you reflect and celebrate on this Sunday. In this season of rebirth, may your faith be restored, your life renewed, your spirit lifted, your heart be made new, and your inner strength redeemed. May you rise up to overcome any and all difficulties you may encounter.  May your days be filled with warmth, happiness, joy, love, wellness and health, and bring you hope and optimism for a better tomorrow. With gratitude, Curtis "By grace we are saved through faith." - Kevin DeYoung

"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one." - Confucius   I think sometimes we live our lives as if we are going to live forever. We put off doing things that could make ourselves or those around us happier because we think there will always be tomorrow. If there is one thing that I've learned over the past year through this pandemic, our time here on Earth is short. Life is unpredictable. Nothing is guaranteed. Life is too short to be anything but happy.   We need to start living our best lives. We need to start focusing on the things that matter most. We need to make sure we aren't taking things for granted. We need to be more aware, learn to appreciate all of the goodness around us, and seek to find joy in the little things. We should carry an 'Attitude of Gratitude' in all we do.   We need to take better care of ourselves, our loved ones, and each other. Focus on our health and wellness. We need to learn to smile, have fun,...