The Visit

In a few days, many people around the world will celebrate the blessings of Christmas.

I’m fully aware that all do not believe what happened 2000 years ago with the birth of Jesus to a virgin named Mary.

However, for 2000 years, Christmas has been truly about the birth of our Savior.

One thought that has come to my mind, as I think about Christmas, is what if he had not visited us, or even greater, what if he had not decided to be crucified on the cross, then where would we be today?

My question today is, how are you incorporating the Christmas season in your life?

I know that had he not visited us and taken on the sins of the world, there would be no Advent, which we finished this past Sunday.

You and I have seen so much happening in the world today, with all the violence that has occurred, not to mention the tragic deaths we read and hear about on television since the year began.

Although Jesus didn’t have to do it, he did for all.

Sometimes the words “Jesus is the Reason” may seem hollow to those who don’t practice the faith or have departed from their faith.

However, those words are not hollow for me.

I would like to think that during the Christmas season, when we hear those words, something would resonate within us to trigger each of us in our daily practices to reinforce our faith, with the recent reminders of Thanksgiving that happened last month.

One of my favorite songs I get the opportunity to listen to each Christmas Season is “Mary Did You Know.”

It’s the first stanza that resonates with me:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

All powerful words!

 

Mary, Did You Know? (Lyric Video / Live At Gaither Studios, Alexandria, IN/2020)

For me, it’s during this Christmas season that I often think about how each of us practices or reinforces our faith, with the recent reminders of Thanksgiving that happened last month.

For some, Christmas is also that special time to be with family and friends.

As I watched in Mass, the last candle of Advent being lit was another reminder of why we celebrate Christmas and his visit.   (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love)

Every year, I end Advent on Christmas Eve by deliberately attending Midnight Mass, and this year will be no different.

My prayer is that you reflect on his visit and why we celebrate Christmas.

“Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.” —Mary Ellen Cha

This week, I challenge you to count your blessings and remember how you felt as a child and how you feel as an adult. “To appreciate Christmas to the full, one must know how it feels to be deprived of its blessings.” —Carlos P. Romulose

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-visit/

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Mindfulness

Today, my thoughts are tied to what I see every day, as it relates to farmland being harvested and prepared.

I find it interesting that every day, something special is happening beneath the soil we don’t see.

In a few months, flowers will bloom, and the trees that are now barren from winter weather will have leaves reappearing before we know it.

In my yard, I have a Japanese Maple Tree and a Crepe Myrtle Tree, with traces of dark green grass growing around both trees that appear dead or dormant.

It’s interesting to me because the rest of my yard is brown and has gone dormant, yet I have an area with patches of green grass growing under these two trees.

You’re probably asking why I’m talking about trees, grass, and the word “dormmate.”

Mainly because, just like the Farmer, who is preparing his fields that I pass by every day heading home, we too must prepare our minds.

We should all want, like the Farmer, to get a 100-fold return on our crops and to prepare the ground properly.

My mind often thinks about “The parable of the Sower and the Seed.”

Matthew 13 NIV – The Parable of the Sower – That same – Bible Gateway

In clearing the weeds from my life, I must sow a good seed by adding value to others.

John Maxwell’s book on High Road Leadership is what I aspire to do, regardless of how divided we are as a country.

I’ve learned that from Brendon Burchard, the author of High-Performance Habits.  (How Extraordinary People Become That Way) “Don’t Give to Yourself-Give of Yourself!”

However, we all know that, depending on the weather and temperature, especially with these recent freezes, some plants don’t do well in cold weather.

However, as humans, we can come inside and get warmth.

But how are we treating our minds?

As a proponent of better Emotional Intelligence (EQ), I try to practice it daily.

I continue to see a need to regulate emotional awareness and emotional intelligence, especially among our youth today.  In my opinion, any understanding of the various facets that are critical to our capacities for resilience, communication, and reasoning is so important.

How to Treat Your Mind Better | Psychology Today

I often listen to people making small talk about what’s not working for them or complaining about life in general.

As we rapidly approach the end of January 2026, there are things I have been deliberate about, especially as they relate to mindfulness.

Mindfulness | Psychology Today

How often do we pay attention to our surroundings and our bodies?

In the past few months, I have noticed my surroundings: the corn and cotton fields were green, which are now bare.

I’m aware that the Farmer was preparing his various fields for planting at some point based on the Farmer’s Almanac.

Farmers Almanac 2025–2026 Winter Forecast | The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Finally, I thought about a place that is in the news as it relates to “Why is Greenland important?”

Why does Trump want Greenland and why is it so important?

In watching the news, there is a sense of mindfulness among the people regarding Greenland and why they don’t want to be taken over by the United States.

One must imagine what is going on, as it relates to mindfulness, in the hearts and minds of both the people of Greenland and the United States after hearing and seeing various protests.

Finally, we all heard about President Trump being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize. It goes back to Brendon Burchard, author of High-Performance Habits.  (How Extraordinary People Become That Way) “Don’t Give to Yourself-Give of Yourself!”

Trump links Greenland threats to Nobel Peace Prize snub in letter to Norway’s leader

Therefore, this week, be mindful of your surroundings and think about what you are giving to others.  Are you giving of yourself or are you giving to yourself?

There is so much to be said about mindfulness; however, I will leave you with this one quote.

“Slow down, you’ll get there faster.” — Katherine King

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/mindfulness/

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What Matters Most

This week, while listening to my internal thoughts, I wrote in my journal all the things I accomplished.

Essentially “What Matters Most.”

You might say, “Why is that important to you?”

Often, you and I have competing priorities, yet everything is important.

Of course, we all know that everything can’t be important, and it’s up to us to prioritize it.

It’s then up to us to decide what matters the most in doing those things.

I’m reminded of one of my “Daily Inspiration Quotes,” which features Brian Mulroney having recently traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Brian Mulroney – If everything is very important, then…

“If everything is very important, then nothing is important.”  Brian Mulroney, Statesman of Canada

In essence, “Mulroney’s line is a politician’s version of triage, delivered with the cool authority of someone who’s had to decide which fires get water and which ones burn themselves out.”

Many times, we all seem like firefighters putting out fires in our lives, or not, as we hear the noises around us calling our names.

In my case, I had to discern what matters most to me and what I really needed to accomplish during the week.

By the grace of God, it all worked out so that I met all my internal deadlines and went to sleep very grateful for the ability to manage multiple actions that required my attention.

As each of us takes inventory, there is plenty of noise in deciding what matters most.

Two or three years ago, I read the book “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment” by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass Sunstein, which explores how noise—the variability in individual judgments—affects decision-making across various fields.

It’s amazing to me to be able to draw on the books I read and incorporate their lessons into my life.

Sometimes we must just cut through the chaos and reduce the noise around us!

Another book was John C. Maxwell’s Book “Today Matters,” which is all about the importance of daily decisions and actions in shaping a successful future.

You and I probably know people who would rather be spontaneous. For that reason, you may prefer to operate spontaneously.

Because I tend to plan my time, being spontaneous may not always work for me.

Although the book outlines twelve essential practices, referred to as the “Daily Dozen,” three that stand out the most to me are:

Attitude: Choose a positive mindset daily.

Priorities: Focus on what truly matters.

Growth: Seek continuous improvement.

That’s not to say the other nine are not important, as each day brings new challenges.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

As a product of the Civil Rights movement, today matters to me knowing that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is the “only non-president with a federal holiday named in his honor.”

I vividly remember the theme “Day On, Not a Day Off,” and I did something in his honor to give back to the community.

A Day On, Not a Day Off: A Day of Service | National Association of Counties

A “Day On, Not a Day Off” – Thanksgiving Point

Although not all may support the holiday, I’m grateful for the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and prohibits Congress from restricting the press or individuals’ rights to speak freely.

Did Trump get rid of MLK Jr Day? How the holiday is different in 2026

During Mass Saturday, as I prayed the Rosary, I mentioned that we continue to pray for non-violence on this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.  It was followed up with the Priest acknowledging non-violence on this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was 39 at the time of his death, would be turning 97 this month, think about what matters most to you.

Because I live in Alabama, I have daily opportunities to see the impact of its message and legacy.

“It wasn’t until 15 years after King’s death that civil rights activists finally succeeded in making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a nationally observed holiday.”

“On November 2, 1983, Reagan signed a bill making the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of King’s legacy. The holiday was first observed three years later January 20, 1986.”

Therefore, this week, think about what matters the most to you.   Maybe it is limiting the noise that affects your decision-making. Maybe it’s giving back to the community, being less spontaneous, or just being yourself.

“What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.” – Author Unknown.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/what-matters-most/

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Slow Down

Today, I’d like you to answer this question honestly about yourself, concerning slowing down.

 

Many of us have heard the phrase or the analogy of ‘smelling the roses,’ but have we slowed down long enough to actually do so?

 

I found myself in disbelief or in shock as I read an email from another one of my peers who passed away this past week. Ironically, he is only six months or more older than me, and we both served in the Military.

 

Today, ironically, my mother celebrates another heavenly birthday; it is not a given that each of my siblings will slow down to reflect and pause to consider what it means to smell the roses.

 

Furthermore, during the Christmas/New Year’s break, I did take a few minutes or so to pause and think about the various members of my family who died during the holidays over the last ten years who are no longer living.

 

However, in the past, I really didn’t slow down mentally to reflect on all their lives and what each of these individuals meant to me.

 

It wasn’t until this past week, seeing another death announcement or obituary, that I had to seek some quiet time to slow down.

 

It appears that many of us attempt to reset our lives over the holidays with less activity to focus on, as meetings are not that important during the holidays.

 

In my opinion, there is a different mode mentality we shift our minds into, celebrating with family and friends, and just finding time to relax over the holidays.

 

At least that is what I’m telling myself.

 

As we enter 2026, I’m sure we all have tried to rationalize with ourselves in ways we can slow down.

 

Maybe slowing down has caused many of us to do some soul searching.

 

Going to the doctor and hearing changes we need to make as we listen to our bodies can also be insightful if we need to slow down.

 

Each of us, if we are listening to our bodies, will tell ourselves to slow down as a sign that something is not right.

 

What’s not right with you today, that may be counterintuitive with your lifestyle of slowing down?

 

I’m aware that slowing down can help us to prevent doing things poorly without rushing through life.

 

As you and I move physically through the stages of our lives, I’m sure that you have probably felt the urge to decelerate or slow down in fear of the consequences if you continue to move fast.

 

I’m sure you know plenty of people who can drive from Point  A to Point B in the shortest amount of time because they refuse to slow down.

 

It’s a personal preface for me to pause when I know I need to make better decisions.

 

Many of us listen to conversations, whereas the person we’re listening to is speaking nonstop or so fast that we must wait until they slow down to get a word in.

 

As a thought, one can only imagine those who are living a fast-paced life.

 

Now imagine these same individuals who have not had their light bulb moments yet, when they realize it’s time to slow down.

 

It’s seeing that shift when they realize slowing down is good for their health.

 

What about you, when you simply say to yourself enough is enough.

 

There is something about the word retirement.

 

I remember people asking me what I was looking forward to, slowing down, and being able to smell the roses.

 

I have learned there is no badge of honor given to those who want to remain busy.

 

Therefore, this week, as you begin this week, will you take a moment to find some quiet time to refocus on what matters most in your life, or will you be the one who remains too busy?

 

For those we know that are high energy, me included, in this group, we must reclaim time, choose wisely what best works for our mental health and bodies.

 

Whatever practices that we employ today for our health should be one’s whereas we are willing to also say no to, making room for opportunities to relax and rest.

 

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast — you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” — Eddie Cantor.

 

Therefore, this week, I challenge you, me included, to slow down and enjoy life.  “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/slow-down/

 

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Top Motivational Speakers in Huntsville, AL to Inspire Growth, Leadership, and Success

When you’re organizing a corporate event, team retreat, school assembly, or professional development seminar, choosing the right voice to inspire your audience is the key to creating a memorable and impactful experience. That’s where exceptional public speaking talent can make all the difference. A well-crafted presentation delivered by seasoned professionals can spark fresh ideas, boost morale, and set the tone for long-term success. At McKinley’s Thoughts | Curtis Leadership and Training, we pride ourselves on connecting organizations with speakers who not only deliver powerful messages but also drive measurable growth and leadership transformation.

Why Professional Speakers Matter for Your Event

In today’s competitive and fast-paced business landscape, simply gathering your team isn’t enough — you need to engage, motivate, and inspire them. A professional speaker does more than deliver a speech; they shift mindsets and equip audiences with practical tools for success. Research shows that inspiring presentations with real-world examples can stimulate engagement, productivity, and a growth mindset within organizations, making your event more than just another item on the calendar.

A well-chosen motivational presentation can:

• Reinforce your organization’s mission and values
• Energize teams and leaders
• Provide strategies for overcoming challenges
• Cultivate long-lasting commitment to growth and innovation

This is especially true when you partner with motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL who understand local corporate culture and organizational needs.

What Sets Local Speakers Apart

Opting for motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL offers distinct advantages for organizations in North Alabama. Local speakers not only bring world-class content to your event, but they also bring awareness of the local business landscape, regional challenges, and community values — all of which make their message more relatable and impactful for Huntsville audiences.

Here’s why local expertise matters:

• Cultural Relevance – Local speakers can reference familiar industries, trends, and challenges.
• Event Ease – No complex travel logistics or delays.
• Cost-Effective – Often more budget-friendly without sacrificing quality.
• Community Impact – Supporting local talent helps grow the Huntsville economy.

With this combination of practical insights and inspired messaging, your event can resonate more deeply and leave a lasting impression.

Key Benefits of Hiring Motivational Speakers

Whether you’re aiming to uplift staff morale, empower leaders, or motivate students, professional speakers enhance your event in ways that go beyond applause.

1. Inspire Leadership and Growth

Great speakers are experts in leadership development. They share meaningful stories, challenge limiting beliefs, and guide audiences toward actionable leadership strategies that deliver real results. Their insights help individuals step up with confidence and clarity.

2. Boost Team Performance and Engagement

An energized team is more productive, more collaborative, and more innovative. Motivational presentations help reignite team passion, foster collective purpose, and elevate performance across departments.

3. Practical Takeaways for Real Change

Inspirational content that lacks practical application is fleeting — that’s why our speakers focus on insights attendees can use immediately. From communication skills to goal-setting frameworks, they provide tools your teams can implement on day one.

Tailored Experiences for Your Unique Audience

Every organization has a different culture, challenge, and vision. That’s why we offer personalized speaker recommendations based on your specific needs. When you work with us, the process begins with a conversation — understanding your audience, your objectives, and the outcomes you want to achieve. From there, we match you with professionals who can deliver a message that aligns with those goals and elevates your event.

Our speakers excel in a range of formats, including:

• Keynote speeches
• Breakout sessions
• Leadership workshops
• Interactive Q&A experiences

This flexibility ensures your event is not only engaging but truly transformative.

Real Impact — Beyond One-Time Inspiration

The true measure of a great speaker isn’t applause at the end of a talk — it’s action afterward. Exceptional speakers plant seeds of motivation that continue to grow long after the event concludes. They help attendees reflect on their purpose, rethink limiting patterns, and embrace a renewed commitment to success. Organizations consistently report higher morale, improved teamwork, and stronger leadership following well-executed motivational engagements.

Let Us Help You Inspire and Lead

If your goal is to uplift, energize, and empower your next gathering, selecting the right voice is essential. By choosing seasoned professionals with the ability to connect emotionally and deliver actionable message, you give your audience more than just a presentation — you give them a catalyst for growth.

Ready to elevate your next event and connect with top talent? Contact us today and let’s begin crafting an unforgettable experience that inspires growth, leadership, and success.

 

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Back Roads

Nowadays, when traveling from one city or town to another unknown location, the use of Google Maps or our GPS navigation systems in our cars can take us many directions to our destination.

It can even take you on a journey along the back roads where we have never traveled before, which was the case during my trip this weekend.

I had a mid-morning Saturday task of driving from Huntsville, AL to Cullman, AL without knowing that I would never get on I-65 in reaching my destination.

I believe the route that I took this past weekend was predestined in preparation for my visit to the experiences of my visit to Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama, at Sacred Heart Monastery.  It was a route that allowed me to focus on my surroundings.

It also put me in a state of mind about why I was giving my time to visit the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama, at Sacred Heart Monastery.

It was our annual Adopt-A-Sister event entitled Claver’s Christmas in Cullman (CCC).  In short, members of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver #286 and St. Joseph Community adopted 30 Benedictine Sisters and had lunch with them and provided gifts on December 13, 2025.

Little did I know the sister I had adopted this year had been living on site since 1949-1950. The conversations we had during our two hours together were amazing.

It’s a visit with fellowship, food, and fun that I will look forward to doing again next year.  Mainly because it was a spiritual uplift for me to support these sisters. It was the largest turnout since its inception five years ago and I’ve already marked my calendar for next year’s event.

About Us | Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, AL

As mentioned previously, I believe the route that I took was predestined in preparation for my visit to the experiences which I was about to receive, because it allowed me to focus and reflect on how blessed I was.

The route from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Huntsville to the Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman took me through various towns where houses were spaced so far apart from each other that you could tell no Homeowners Association was governing how they were living.

The route also taught me that if I were ever on I-65 again with traffic backed up close to the Cullman exit, there is a back road now that I can take to Huntsville, which I was unaware of until last Saturday.

We all have probably taken backroads before to avoid traffic jams and if we only knew the area well enough, we would find a way to keep it moving.

In my case, it was a back road I had never driven on before and I was able to enjoy the drive in solitude and enjoy the scenery.

I am aware that some of the back roads at night are not well-lit like other roads, and if your vehicle were to break down, there are limited chances of someone finding you.

How often do we shy away from taking back roads because it would slow us down, knowing that there is an Interstate close by?

Although once I put in the address to my navigation system, one hour and fifteen minutes was my arrival time, it was up to me to accept the route.

Because I was traveling solo and didn’t have to carpool with anyone or carry passengers, I had nothing to lose by accepting the route, even though I thought I knew my way down I-65, which I never got on until my return trip heading back home.

I have always been one to trust my GPS when given a new travel route.

For those who know who Minnie Pearl is, she say’s “Take the back roads instead of the highways.”

“To read the papers and to listen to the news… one would think the country is in terrible trouble. You do not get that impression when you travel the back roads, and the small towns do care about their country and wish it well.”  Charles Kuralt

Between Minnie Pearl and Charles Kuralt, there is some truth to what both were saying, and I just didn’t know it until I had my recent back road experience.

It was one of those moments you would have to have been there to understand it.

Although there is some irony for me traveling down the back roads this past weekend.  The irony is I know if it were fifty years earlier it would not have been a safe bet to travel the back roads.

Although I said back roads and not dirt roads, many of the back roads are more developed with people living off of them. As I reflected on my trip I also didn’t see many traffic light except four way stops or stop signs.

I believe there is a lesson in each trip I take, regardless of whether it’s on the highway or backroads. It just happened that this weekend was a lesson to take it slow and enjoy the ride.

This week, I challenge you to look back and think about all the back road experiences you have encountered, and if you are still willing to travel these back roads. The question is, are you up for the challenge?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/back-roads/

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Sacrifice and Closing Out 2025

As I thought about a word that I wanted to close out the year 2025 with, it was “Sacrifice.”

Each of us has made various sacrifices throughout the year 2025 to get to a place in our lives today.

I’m sure around the world, some parents made specific sacrifices for their children to ensure that they celebrated the recent blessings of Christmas.

Merriam-Webster defines sacrifice as “the act of giving up or losing something of value for the sake of something else.

SACRIFICE Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

For those in college or pursuing higher education, you must sacrifice your time in various areas, such as studying and writing, to achieve the results you are pursuing.

I’m pretty sure if I were to ask the question, what sacrifices have each of you made during 2025, the list would be long.

One thing is for sure: we all, including myself, can do better in sacrificing our time if we properly plan for it.

It’s a matter of how well we use our time in being productive throughout the day.

If you haven’t thought about it, think about joining the 5:AM Club.

THE 5 AM CLUB by Robin Sharma – Animated Book Summary

Being disciplined and getting up at 5:AM is something that requires sacrifice as well.

As I look back over the last year, discipline is one of those words that I have sometimes failed to maintain.

Yes, even I have fallen off the wagon of productivity, and have learned the importance of time management.

I also know that whatever we decide to sacrifice is going to pay off if we apply the proper discipline and regimen to it.

Because I have learned over the years that New Year’s resolutions are quickly forgotten, it’s the daily discipline and sacrifices that remind me to stay focused on the task at hand.

I also believe there is something, at least for me, that is magical about numbers, specifically 1442.

Mirror hour 1442: spiritual meaning and love

Hidden Messages of Angel Number 1442 in Numerology.

En numerology, 1442 contains several layers of meaning:

1: leadership, initiative, independence.

4 (twice): structure, work, honesty, anchoring.

2: cooperation, diplomacy, emotional connection.

1442 = 1+4+4+2 = 11: a spiritual master number, linked to intuition and soul mission.

Presence of double 4: strong focus on financial and emotional stability.

Final Vibration of 11: call to a greater vocation, spiritual awakening.

These elements make 1442 a powerful number for those seeking to combine material and spiritual aspects in their daily lives.

Aside from that, we all have the same 1440 minutes in a day.

Why 1440? The printing press was invented around the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history.

More facts: Every day, there are 1,440 minutes. We’re here to make each one count.

How are you using each of those minutes you are given each day?

I was recently reminded this week of the “Pomodoro technique” in preparation for looking at various activities I’ve done over the year while using small chunks of time.

25:00 – Time to focus!

pomodoro technique timer – Search Videos

Therefore, think about your productivity and where you are in your life.

“The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking work into intervals, typically 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks.”

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The name “Pomodoro” comes from the Italian word for tomato, inspired by the tomato- shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a university student to track his work intervals.

This week, as you prepare to close out the year 2025, it’s my wish that you have clarity in your life and the lives around you.  Whatever systems you have devised for time management, may they continue to work for you.

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.”  Napoleon Hill

“The ultimate test of a man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”  Gaylord Nelson

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/sacrifice-and-closing-out-2025/

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