Siouxland Magazine - Volume 1 Issue 4

flexible
emotional strength
open
soft
Think Like a Tree
Soak up the sun
Affirm life’s magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling
Karen Shragg
Stacie and Becca with their daughters at Stone State Park.
softer side of resilience. Can we applaud those
who are unshielded, embrace change, and remain
optimistic?
It all starts with us. Being aware of when life’s
hardships have built walls around us instead of
making us compassionate. Taking on the world at
the expense of our health and our sanity. When
instead we could respect ourselves, staying aware
of our limitations and growing into our potential, as
well as creating a vibrant, supportive community.
Learn from life lessons, embrace change, continue
moving forward, take time to be still and reflect,
surround yourself with great people, and always
remain optimistic. Then tomorrow will be better.
Stacie Anderson is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker,
Trainer and Coach. She recently worked alongside
John Maxwell and his team in Costa Rica; helping
train leaders in their government, educational system
and businesses. She shares personal stories and
experiences when working with others on creating
transformation in their personal lives and business.
KindneSS
‘kīnd
of a sympathetic or helpful nature
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)
It seems “kindness” can be a bit of a buzz word these
days. It’s a value we are taught at a young age, but gets
trivialized over the years. Instead, we wind up with road
rage and don’t try to understand other people’s stories.
There are many synonyms of kindness, but the one that
stuck out to me was “warm hearted.” How can we greet
each moment, each circumstance, each person with a
warm heart? How can we do that for ourselves?
Kindness extended to others will create new relationships
and strengthen the ones you already have. When practiced
with yourself, it’s a form of self-care.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE: Look up from your phone
and smile at a stranger. Be kinder in traffic. Say “please”
and “thank you.” Try to see other people’s perspectives,
instead of judging their mindset. Speak kind words, to
yourself and others. Give yourself a break. Celebrate life
more often.
TABLE QUESTIONS: What is your personal definition
of kindness? Where do you feel you could be more kind in
your life? How can you be more kind to yourself this next
week?
By Jianna Hoss