From the Front Porch: Easing Into Fall
Hello, from the front porch, sweet friends and welcome to the Easing Into Fall Edition of this weekly series.
Thanks so much for making us a part of your day.
How has your week been?
This week is one I look forward to every year.
I love decorating for the season, the windy and rainy days, the back to school vibes in full swing, seeing everyone all dressed up in their game day gear, making big pots of chili and pumpkin spice bars, decluttering and deep cleaning the house, creating a fall bucket list, carving out quiet moments to take stock of things that are working well and resetting routines.
One of the ways I find motivation for a new season is by rereading highlights, notes and encouraging quotes from conferences I’ve attended over the years.
And one of my favorites is the Global Leadership Summit because the speakers share inspirational messages about what it means to be an effective leader and what it takes to give life to your vision.
Here are a few takeaways that really resonated…
- “The essence of great leadership is choosing what not to do.” ~Craig Groeschel
- “You can’t connect on autopilot.” ~Vanessa Van Edwards
- “There is a place for each of us and our purpose in life is to figure that place out.” ~Sahar Hashemi
- “It’s time to take the random out of random acts of kindness.” ~Johnny C. Taylor, Jr
- “Forgiveness is freedom. When you hold onto a grudge you are the one carrying the weight.” ~Deb Lui
- “You lead to the level you live, not the level you look.” ~Judah Smith
- “Notice then shift. ‘I’m not good at this.’ (notice) ‘I’m not good at this yet.’ (shift)” ~Dr. Heidi Grant
- “Reflect to see what rises to the top.” ~ Ron Howard
- “Great thoughts lead to great actions and great actions lead to great results.” ~Jon Acuff
- “Who will you be for those you serve, love and lead?” ~Stephanie Chung
- “Status quo is not a winning strategy.” ~ Bob Iger
- “Actions speak louder than words but your reaction speaks louder than either.” ~ Andy Stanley
Vanessa Van Edwards shared how better communication begins at home and how asking better questions of ourselves and the people we interact with everyday can allow us to see ourselves and each other in a deeper more meaningful way.
It’s why one of my new go-to questions is asking “What was the highlight of your day?” instead of simply asking, “How was your day?”
Another theme nearly every speaker conveyed is how we’re all leaders, even if we’re not CEOs, entrepreneurs, or business owners.
And how leadership doesn’t just happen in the workplace.
It happens at the park with our littles, in the car with our teenagers, during mealtimes, at the coffee shop, the grocery store, in our offices at work and all the other places we frequently visit.
So, the next time you think your words and actions don’t matter as much as a CEO of Disney, an award-winning actor/director, a trailblazer in private aviation, a best-selling author, tech guru, multi-million dollar coffee entrepreneur, a social scientist, a pastor, a boss, or a billionaire, think again.
Almost every speaker shared how the divine intervention of one person with one kind word of encouragement, wisdom, or confidence, empowered them to take the next step.
And that one step changed everything.
A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- Chatham Beach House via Design Chic is the perfect way to hang onto summer bliss.
- This home makeover project from Bria Hammel Interiors is filled with fabulous before and after ideas.
- Wait until you see this Midwestern Camp Compound via 1st Dibs it’s so warm and inviting.
- Speaking of warm and inviting, how beautiful is the Bingham Estate?
- 35 Best Fall Flowers to Plant for a Stunning Autumn Garden (via Good Housekeeping)
Seasonal Inspiration and Design Ideas:
- 35 Coastal Farmhouse Ideas for Every Room (via Better Homes & Gardens)
- Love the simple elegance of this midsummer tablescape (via My Scandinavian Home) It’s such a beautiful way to transition from summer to fall.
- Speaking of tablescapes, I love the way Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse always adds extra special touches to hers no matter what the season.
- How pretty is this easy fall door decor from Anna of Sky Lark House?
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- This viral adrenal cocktail via Camille Styles is interesting.
- 10 Habits of Women Who Are Always in Shape (via The Everygirl)
- 15 High Protein Fast Food Options Dietitians Recommend (via Self)
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- 9 Early Fall Outfits That Are Stylish and Weather Friendly (via My Chic Obsession)
- 12 Products Cosmetic Chemists Wish They Had Created (via Harpers Bazaar)
- 15 Most Beautiful Beach Towns Around the World (via Travel + Leisure)
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Home Decor and DIY Books Coming Out This Fall
40 Fabulous Fall Bucket List Ideas or our Fall Monthly Bucket List
Early Fall Craft and Decorating Ideas
Shopping Notes…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
*As always, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before trying or adding wellness products and devices to your routines
- Athletic Shirt (have and love this shirt in so many different colors, it’s easy to wear for walking and hiking)
- Protein Powder (I usually put this in my smoothies but I’m currently trying to perfect protein coffee)
- Devotional (love this devotional so much, it’s a vital part of my morning routine)
- Fan (this is a great tower fan if you’re a hot sleeper or need to cool specific spaces in your home)
- Face Wash (I use this foaming face wash every morning after work outs for a squeakly clean feel and these Toner Pads they’ve changed the texure of my skin in good way)
- Athletic Shorts (have and love these in so many colors. They have pockets, are unlined, and dry quickly)
- Collagen Peptides (I put a scoop of this in my coffee every morning)
- Neck Pillow (it took a few days to get used to this pillow but I can’t sleep without it now)
- Fountain Pen (I use this pen to write letters and journal every night)
- Retinol (have, love and use this as part of my nightly routine. It comes in several other strengths if you’re new to retinol)
- Sneakers (I’ve worn Hokas for the past few years and I’m curious to see if these have a similar feel)
- Ritual Vitamin (I take these every day. They have a mint flavor and are easy on my stomach)
- PJs (I have the long and the short version of these pjs. The modal makes them super soft. I hand wash and line dry mine)
- Large Journal (this is the journal I’ve used all year and will buy again for next year. I have the white one)
- Vitamin C Serum (have, love and use as part of my morning skincare routine)
- Weighted Vest (I used this during the spring season but it’s been too hot to use during summer. I’m excited for fall to arrive so I can start using it again on walks)
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.
We can’t wait to share even more next week!
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Those are all fabulous things to keep in mind CoCo! Thanks for sharing – I feel like I was there with you! I agree we never know how we might touch someone’s life without even realizing it. Plus, I love your white and gold teacups! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend.
I could not believe how many of the speakers said one chance encounter helped to change the course of their careers. It was wild, Barbara! But also a good lesson that you never know whose path you’ll cross at just the right time so you have to be ready for anything! Hope your weekend was a relaxing one, CoCo PS: Those teacups were a gift from my sweet mom – she picks out the best stuff!
Love each of your quotes from your seminar up top. I always think about who I want to be for my family, in my home group and even in my pottery class. Most people just think I’m funny. Yes, that comes out naturally (mostly in sass) but at my funeral I would rather people say she was kind, loved the Lord and selfless. Still working on it but those traits make great leaders too. I’m going to write a few of those up top on the chalkboard in our kitchen. We could all use the reminder! Thanks for always being the encourager and a great post.
I also pinned so many from Sheila’s post. I want a stone accent wall!!! And oh my word, the kitchen from HnG… Straight from Nancy Myers (sigh)! Hope your weekend and next week is amazing. XO
I think you’re a fabulous leader, Cindy. I also think you’re kind and selfless and funny and smart. The angels literally sang when you were born and every time you share your talents (pottery and otherwise) with us, show up for the people in your community, love your family well and serve your church we get to experience a little piece of heaven on earth. We are richly blessed to be walking the planet at the same time as you are and I am beyond thankful. Sending you tons of hugs, CoCo PS: Bring on all the rustic french farmhouse 🙌
Thank you for sharing your insights from the Summit! We are all leaders in one way or another! Divine intervention is an amazing thing! Loved all the links you shared! Hope you have a fabulous week! Blessings, Donna
You are so welcome, Donna! It was so much fun to be part of the summit. I don’t think I knew just how much my heart needed that weekend. Hope you found lots of links to inspire you and that you have a purpose-filled week. Back-to-school season is no joke 😉 Big hugs, CoCo
Hi Coco, sorry I seem to have missed a couple of your posts, very naughty of me.:))
I do love to read through, your so thoughtful and link us up to see and read so many wonderful things I would never normally see. The ‘words to live by’ are always a comfort, infact I can always find something to grab onto, so thankyou for that. I hope your week ahead is one of happiness and beauty, take care and love yourself first, your older self will thankyou for that.xx
I’m so excited to see you here again, Janette! I’ve been wondering how you are and how your back has been healing too. Thanks so much for stopping by! The Words to Live By section gets me every week and I’m grateful they resonate with you as well. I think it’s really easy to look at other bloggers or social media and feel like everyone else has it together when the truth is we’re all doing our best. Some days we knock it out of the park and other days we feel like we’ve been knocked down. But as long as we get back up, we actively take steps towards our purpose with hope and grace. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to. Big hugs and thank you for always speaking gentle truths to my heart, CoCo
Oooh, I love that quote.
As a mom to an almost-kindergartener (how did that happen?!?), yeah, there’s a lot of reacting in my life.
Me too, Corrie! When I heard Jon Acuff say that at the summit I wrote it down immediately so I could share. Now every time I have a curt tone or find myself getting upset about something that seems minor, I think about that quote and check-in with my feelings. On a side note, I hope you and your family have a peaceful transition back to school. It’s such an exciting time in some respects but it’s also a huge adjustment. Especially, when they’re little. Sending you hugs – you’ve got this, CoCo
First – I definitely want to try those spicy shrimp tacos. Second- I love the compilation of inspirational quotes and how you tie our thoughts, to our actions, to outcomes. Having a thought in your head isn’t that far off from actually achieving it. The other quote that that really struck me is that there is no connection on auto pilot. (I may have minced it a bit and not gotten it entirely correct). How true it is! Even with the simple question of “How are you?”. Being intentional and aware requires a lot of work and mindfulness but I think the results are so much more meaningful.