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7 Tips to Lead Like a Gardener

7 Tips to Lead Like a Gardener

Help Your People Grow: 7 Tips to Lead Like a Gardener  “Wow! Where did these tulips come from?”  That was my surprised question last Spring when these beautiful pink tulips appeared alongside a patch of brilliantly yellow daffodils in my yard. They came from the...

Spring is a Good Time to Resurrect Your Dreams

Spring is a Good Time to Resurrect Your Dreams

Spring has sprung! My daffodils started pushing through the wintry ground in late February/early March. And now they are ready to burst forth. (No, these beautiful daffodils in the above pic are not mine. But check mine out below!) Spring is the season of resurrection...

Celebrating Black Excellence All Year

Celebrating Black Excellence All Year

Black History Month is a great time to reflect on the achievements and resilience that make us great as a people. This came to mind when I recently rewatched the Great Debaters on a flight home from a speaking engagement. Seeing these young people fight for dignity...

Start Strong

Start Strong

In 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey wrote, "begin with the end in mind." I keep that advice close to my heart, especially at the beginning of a year when I am prayerfully strategizing my year. Here are a few things you can do to strategize your...

Love Yourself!

Love Yourself!

I received a reminder about self-love this week that God put on my heart to share. For many people loving self is a real challenge and many don't even realize it. Me and my amazing glam squad! I was in the studio of photographer Jason McCoy doing a photo shoot for new...

Flower In Bloom: The Blooming Process

Flower In Bloom: The Blooming Process

Maya L. Smith, MSW “The Day You Plant The Seed Is Not The Day You Eat The Fruit. The Soil Needs Tending. Let God Work.” ~Unknown We go through various seasons of our lives where we are preparing, evolving, and transforming. This “blooming” process in our lives is very...

The Art of Surrender

The Art of Surrender

By Maya Smith, MSW “Let Go Of Your Attachment To What You Think Should Have Happened. Surrender To What Is. Trust That You’re Being Guided Towards Something More Profound.” ~ Ash Alves  In life, we will experience change which will challenge us to shift our...

Resilience: Turning Pressure into Power 

Resilience: Turning Pressure into Power 

By Maya Smith, MSW Hello JPK Blog Readers! I am so excited to let you know about a special summer 3-part series on resilience written by guest blogger Maya Smith.  Maya has just completed her master’s in social work and is one of my mentees. She shares with us...

“Playing Hurt” Hurts Us All

“Playing Hurt” Hurts Us All

A lot of athletes think "playing hurt" is a badge of honor. In fact, athletes in my family took it even further. Let me explain. My cousin Norm VanLier was a popular basketball player for the Chicago Bulls and top defensive player in the NBA in the...