Purpose and Perspective with Misty McElroy

When life is hard, it can feel like the best option is to abandon our goals, or to come up with a new plan that offers less resistance. But instead of giving up, sometimes we simply need to try again, even if the fight doesn't seem worth it. In today's episode, I want to encourage you to reevaluate, press on and keep going. Listen in.  

If you're facing a daunting task or overwhelmed by a lack of confidence, this episode is for you. We'll explore how the benefits of insecurity can equip you to accomplish more than you initially thought possible. As you move through your week, you'll gain fresh perspective to see that success is not defined by what opportunity brings to you; it's determined by what you bring to opportunity. Listen in.

We are surrounded by the tangible, yet we are moved and touched and influenced by the spirit and sentiment such things represent. This episode will help you explore deeper perspective with the pieces of your own story, whether you embrace the clean lines and bare surfaces of minimalism, or you subscribe to a lifestyle of sentimental value. Listen in for fresh insight on how to cultivate confidence and walk by faith during uncertain times.

It’s not a secret that our grown-up lives are often smothered with responsibility, but when it comes to having fun, it’s never too late to start again. It doesn’t look the same for all of us, but if we learn to schedule and prioritize things that lighten our load, perhaps the heavy days will be easier to bear. We may have wandered from an intention or a practice or a habit, but the good news is, it’s still within reach if we’re willing to take a small step. Here's a perspective shift to help make it happen.

This episode relates to thoughtful customer service, but on a deeper level, it’s also about making a difference in the middle of a work or personal interaction that is laced with frustration. Join Misty for an experience at the Nashville International Airport, and a gentle nudge toward better interactions, better conversations, better relationships, and ultimately, more peace of mind through it all.

If it's time to level up in your career, or finally make progress on a long held personal goal, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a thoughtful strategy that's helped me lately, when my own insecurities come to light. Even in a focused critique group for creative writing, I'm learning the positive influence of others still carries the greatest potential for improvement. We are all students of life who learn and unlearn, but the way we gain inspiration and growth can sometimes be surprising. Listen in.

There are times when it’s hard to form words around what you believe or desire. It’s hard to articulate the tiny seed of a dream growing deep within, even with an underlying sense that God has laid something special on your heart. In today’s episode, we’ll explore a form of communication that doesn’t come easy for many of us beneath the weight of a carried burden, or in front of a soft, rising glow of hope. But when we lack adequate expression, could it be that we're meant to embrace the silence instead?

In the rush to perform, to achieve, and to do the right thing, thoughts of mercy and peace often become lost, especially when words and feelings get tangled up, or a heated exchange stirs unsettled moments in a relationship. Personal and professional conflicts take a toll, but here’s a secret. The journey might be more significant than the outcome, and in today’s episode, we’ll explore benefits of a simple practice that has the potential to help us walk in peace, even when the circumstances around us speak otherwise.

As nature moves us closer to the warm, golden days of summer, we’re in a season of waiting. Each story is a little different, but as we wait, we also live, and I'm struck by the comparison of it all. Join me for a short reflection and let's consider a few questions in this episode. What if everything changed tomorrow? What if you moved to a new house, landed the perfect job or settled into the right relationship? What if the pandemic was finally over and the world at your fingertips? Listen in.

In the face of a global pandemic, it’s hard to know what to think. There are so many emotions to sift through and sort out that anxiety often lurks in the background, ready to pounce at any moment. If this resonates with you through the stress of COVID-19, today’s podcast is a simple shift in perspective intended to help you breathe easier, as the whole world spins with details of an ever changing crisis. Here’s to keeping the message of hope alive.

The places we live in and move through are a gift from the Creator, and they are also where He invites us to participate in the making of them. We shape the places, but the places also shape us. They are part of the molding and forming of who we become, and in today's episode we'll explore the book Placemaker by Christie Purifoy. It's part book review, part reflection and hopefully also part inspiration as you consider your own life journey and all the places within it. Join me?

When faith gets low, it's easy to grapple with the future and all it's unknown paths. Deep down, we know God cares. We believe He’s near. It can just be kind of hard to feel him or see him taking action. Clear next steps or even a vague outline of what’s ahead would be nice – Right? But when you and I desire bullet points and line items, maybe a firm touchstone or a point of reference is what we need instead? In order to move forward, maybe we first need to look back. Join me for the journey?

When you find yourself on the receiving end of a message that threatens to shake your confidence, especially in the face of disappointing news or critical feedback, this episode tackles the topic of how to move forward with grace. Perhaps you can allow these words to work for good, even when they don’t always feel so good? Let's talk emotions, communication, and the important distinction between what we hear and how we receive it. It just might make all the difference.

This episode is for you if you’ve recently experienced a special occasion or an event that didn’t quite turn out the way you imagined, or if you have plans on the horizon that aren’t shaping up the way you thought they would. It’s not always easy to know where we fit in or how to navigate the beginning of a new chapter, but I'm offering thoughts on what it looks like to celebrate even when things don’t come together at all the way you planned. Listen in!

A fast moving, fast talking nemesis stormed into my professional life like a bull in a china shop nearly 20 years ago, and I was determined not to be pushed around by an intimidating power player. Though sharing this episode is a vulnerable step outside my comfort zone, if you, too, know what it's like to face down an unyielding adversary day after day with very little results, let's explore a small shift in perspective that might help you embrace an unconventional solution to an age old problem.

If you know what it's like to start something with full force, high intensity and good intentions, only to feel discouraged and want to quit halfway through, this episode is for you. Whether it's a spiritual discipline or a natural life ambition, we'll talk about 3 points that can make all the difference in reaching your goal. Stay tuned!

As cozy coffee shops and bright supermarket shelves fill with all things pumpkin, leaves on the trees slowly start to turn colors, bracing for shorter days ahead and lending a valuable life lesson on how to become stronger in the face of adversity. A beautiful carpet of autumn leaves in the making is not an easy process, but it teaches us a proactive approach toward less stress and more peace of mind. We can withstand bitter conditions with grace and prepare to bring forth new life. Listen in.

Sometimes a good ol’ reset is just what we need to clear our minds and keep things in working order when it feels like the walls are closing in or the pressure of everyday life starts to rise. In today’s episode, I’m going to share something I’ve discovered over the past few years that helps me breathe easier and find more perspective when this starts to happen. I also hope it’ll encourage you to find your own reset button when things get stressful or you simply need a little room to think.

In the spirit of summer, I thought it would be fun to dedicate this episode to travel, and highlight the way it affects life perspective, and has the potential to teach unexpected lessons as we move in and through destinations outside the realm of our everyday routines. Stay tuned for a journey of reflection, and the opportunity to go beneath the surface of your own moments for lessons learned, joy shared, memories made, and a spark of inspiration for your next adventure. Welcome aboard!

Whether you're one to avoid conflict at all cost, or you feel ready to face it head on in the heat of the moment, Episode 10 of Purpose and Perspective offers one simple tip to help you come to a resolution with less stress and more peace of mind. It's a practice that has literally changed my life in terms of communication and problem resolution, and in a somewhat dramatic story from the past, I share how the process is still relevant for work and relationship conflicts that arise today.  Join in!

As humans, we're creatures of emotion, and it's not always easy to have a positive mindset. But in today's episode we'll talk about three things that can help you look up and move forward, even when perception or reality leaves you feeling low. Listen in for a simple practice to clear your head, re-calibrate and lift your vision higher, as you zoom out and allow the lens of your thought life to slowly shift.  

It's no fun to find yourself up against a wall with limited resources, especially when fear and doubt threaten to keep you down. In this episode, we'll talk about a powerful communication tool that can help, even when the odds seem stacked against you. In light of this, here’s something to consider. What if the simplicity of a carefully placed question has the potential to unlock an answer, change the direction of your life, and bring about progress you never expected? Listen in.

You know that problem you’ve been trying to figure out for months? The one that keeps you up at night, and sends you on a roller coaster of emotions with choices that look hopeful, only to then disappoint? Maybe it's time to consider what's going on behind the scenes. What if the solution is already in process of falling into place, and circumstances you can’t even begin to predict are about to surprise you through the small, ordinary details of life? Listen in, and let's explore the possibilities together.

If you ever have days where you question the fruit of your labor, or wonder if you’re making a difference in the world, this episode is for you. Maybe if feels like you haven’t done much more than spin your wheels or keep your head above water, and the result of all your effort is hard to measure. Today, we'll talk about a deeper impact that isn't always visible on the surface, and explore the return on investment in spite of how we feel, how we mess up, and what we see in front of us. Listen in.

Wherever you are in the world, success has a definition. The ebb and flow of progress may look different for each of us, but as we continue the interview with my brother Brandon about his journey to Machu Picchu, some of the highlights remind me of one thing that remains the same. We need each other. As you listen in, I hope you’ll be encouraged to consider your own journey of life, and remember - victory is sweetest when it’s shared. Everyone has a story. And hard work never goes out of style.

Some days are an uphill battle. You feel like you’re fighting the wind, going against the tide, and making very little headway despite all the effort. Recently, a small group of friends and family experienced some of those same feelings when they traveled down to Peru to discover the wonder and mystery of Machu Picchu, a place that tested their endurance, and also offers hope for the hard places of life. Here to tell us about it is one of the travelers himself. Join us for the journey!

How often do we miss the beauty of ordinary moments simply by being distracted? This episode was sparked by an unusual question in a Thursday afternoon staff meeting, and it's linked to the role of recognition in everyday life, and some of the benefits that come with paying attention on a regular basis. Stay tuned, and let's open a conversation about taking notice on the daily. Thanks for joining in!

Living within the carefully carved boundaries of a well-worn comfort zone feels pretty good. Maybe not always exciting or adventurous, but for the most part, it’s a safe place to land when the world around us is complicated and cumbersome. But what if that’s not an option? What if we’re forced outside our comfort zone, by choice or by circumstances? Or what if we need to move outside our comfort zone to grow and to change? In Episode 2, we'll reflect on an important ingredient that may help us find our way. 

In the face of overwhelm, it's easy to feel stuck and long for the clarity of modern GPS with exact instructions, reroutes and estimated distance. But what if a lack of clarity doesn't always mean a lack of direction? What if the worn, faded map offers a more circuitous route to work things in and through us? In today's show, we'll talk about things that hold us back, open up to the possibility that perception changes everything, and embrace the fact that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Listen in, and maybe you’ll realize you are more equipped than you think.

I'm Misty McElroy, and in this introduction episode, we'll open a conversation about the real and practical aspects of living with purpose and perspective to create a meaningful life right where we are. It's not always easy, and it doesn't always feel good, but it has the potential to change us for the better, and to make a powerful difference in the way we navigate ordinary days.