“Never underestimate the power of a small group of determined people to change the world, for it is the only thing that ever has.” -Mother Teresa
While getting involved in any kind of business is usually a result of a desire for a better life for “me,” any successful business owner will tell you that their success was realized after they shifted their focus to one of helping other people. The Life on Life Initiative has become one of the best ways to help new and seasoned Life Leadership members alike understand that true success really does come through service. The beauty of the Life on Life Initiative is that it takes a person’s focus off of themselves–and not only does this help them serve the underprivileged better–but it brings this new mentality full-circle to help them serve their associates, clients and customers better, as well.
Recently, members of the Life Vision team in the great state of Arizona got together to jump wholeheartedly into being a part of the Life on Life Initiative. The only catch was that their leaders, Easton and Rebecca Kelsey, had coordinated the entire event as “Top Secret.” Their single instruction was that everyone show up at Discovery Park in Gilbert, Arizona, on August 22, 2015, to receive their mission. Read on to experience the event through Rebecca’s eyes:
Life on Life Service Scavenger Hunt
For a top secret mission, you could sure spot the smiling faces and the large group of gathering adults in red shirts, on August 22nd, 2015, at Discovery Park in Gilbert, Arizona. Easton and Rebecca Kelsey decided that this warm–actually blistering hot–Saturday morning in August would help their secret agents dig deep for their first-ever service scavenger hunt.
This mission would require team-work, creativity, brain power and–most importantly–a heart of service. Each team would be divided into groups of 4 or 5 adults and at least one car so they could accomplish their tasks together. With their ‘confidential’ letters in hand with a list of guidelines and tasks and a bag of helpful tools, they were off in 3… 2… 1!
Two hours later at a small school across town (thank goodness for air conditioning), teams and stories started trickling in. Laughs, high fives, and hugs were shared while the remaining teams arrived. As the entire team settled in for lunch, Easton asked individuals to stand and share experiences. Some shared stories of struggle as they reached out to serve and met grumpy responses; others couldn’t find the resources they needed at first and had to redirect their thinking. But as the stories unfolded, little miracles started to come to light. One group couldn’t find a car to wash but as they turned the corner in a neighborhood, they found a man starting to wash his car so they jumped out to help. The man was grateful! Another group wondered how they were going to ‘hug a stranger’ as they searched a parking lot, but it didn’t take long before secret agents stepped out of their comfort zones to find a sweet older couple that truly enjoyed the gesture of friendship. Another group went to ‘mail a letter to a veteran’ and as they were searching for a mailbox, they spotted a mailman delivering mail. He was so grateful for this group of happy people. When a secret agent went to ‘give a stranger a balloon and a compliment,’ she found out that the woman had a very difficult morning and was so grateful for the much-needed kindness. The exchange ended in friendly tears and a sweet hug. Another group, for their ‘Special Forces: create your own service,’ decided to pay for a young mother’s groceries and found more hugs and tears. More and more stories poured out…from laughs about teammate’s enthusiasm to recognizing each other’s strengths and talents. The entire Top Secret Service Scavenger Hunt was a success!
As part of the guidelines for completion, the teams were required to send their leaders pictures of their accomplished tasks. In the end, the group raised over $300 in food, clothing, and books for the Child Crisis Center in Mesa, Arizona; and that doesn’t even include the 100s of smiles spread all over the valley. The day was littered with heart-warming photo-documentaries, miracle-stories, and lasting memories; and this event left the Life Vision members with a deep understanding of what Life on Life is really all about. Not only will this activity come again, (with hopefully cooler weather), but the idea that everyone can have the courage to serve on a daily basis left a lasting impression on all who were present.
Time and again, we are finding that the Life on Life events are having just as much of a profound impact on those that are serving, as they have on those that are being served. Check out some of the testimonies that came out of this Life on Life Initiative:
“Life Vision’s LIFE ON LIFE was amazing. Splitting into teams and making the activity a team-game was ingenious. I was so fired up to do more with my teammates…What hit me the hardest was the stories that everyone shared at the end of the event. So many lives were affected…on both sides–the givers and the receivers. It was time well-invested, and I am so thankful I got to be a part of it!” -Ginny Zuber (Life Leadership Member)
“We’re so grateful for the opportunity we had to experience first-hand the blessings of the Life on Life Initiative. It was interesting as we approached people to help them, whether we offered to wash their car, unload their cart of Costco items, or just hand some hard workers a cold bottle of water. The reactions were the same…puzzled expressions, followed by…what’s the cost…then complete joy when they realized we just wanted to serve. It warmed our hearts to bring smiles to faces, to hear sincere laughter when hugging a complete stranger just for the fun of it. This was the true definition of spreading sunshine!” -Steve and Alison Wood (Life Leadership Members)
“Life on Life was an amazing experience. Working together to give back to the community was a great way to deepen the bonds of our team, and show the community that there are still people willing to do acts of service without expectation of compensation. #lovelifeleadership” -Steven and Susan Sandoval (Life Leadership Members)
“I was not physically able to contribute much to our team. But the one thing I could do, and do well, was to give a hug to a stranger. I picked out my ‘stranger’ to hug, but as I approached, I could tell that she and her husband were having words with each other. Since I was already in their private space and committed myself to do something, I just told her who I was and what we were doing. She was grateful for the hug; and when I looked over at her husband, he said, ‘What about me? I need a hug too.’ So I hugged him too and was on my way. When I looked back, I saw the couple in a warm embrace, hugging each other with whatever they were at odds about put behind them. OH THE POWER OF A HUG!” -Sandi Reid
Dean Frey says
I love the creativity. Great job Easton, Rebecca, and your team for setting an example of serving your community. You’re awesome!!!
Anthony Nieto says
Wow! What a mission! Life on life initiative is bringing out such creative thoughts on how to serve the world around us with no expectation for a return. Can’t wait to see what happens on the next blog.
Lance says
Awesome! Life on Life making a difference!!! Love the creativity figuring out how to touch people’s lives !
Chad Palmer says
Julie and I have known Easton and Rebecca Kelsey for over 3 years and they are constantly applying Servant Leadership principles with everyone they meet. We are so grateful for Life Vision and their secret service project. Thanks Life on Life Initiative and Zach for spotlighting the Child Crisis Center in Mesa, Arizona.
Matt says
I love that LIFE leadership is all about service. Servant leadership, serving the community, making a difference all over the world!
Rob Robson says
Great job to Easton and Rebecca Kelsey and Team 1 Purpose Life Vision!
Flora says
I Love this!! It is true how just one act of true kindness can affect a persons day, and who knows? A life!!
Good job Zach!
Rebecca Kelsey says
This event was life-changing for so many! Many miracles took place throughout the day and it reinforced to many how serving is the highest form of LOVE. Changing lives and taking names!! Love LIFE ON LIFE!
Cathy K says
What a clever idea, Team Life Vision! You incorporated Fun and LIFE on LIFE in one exciting day, and made dozens of lives happier in the process. Great job, guys!
John Caves says
Terrific idea! I love the compassion displayed by the people involved.
Douglas Sutton says
Yes you can!
Matt says
Special shout out to Jeff Robinson at the Fry’s on Pecos and Higley for supporting us with food and other donations right off the shelves!!
Edwin says
I love this idea…. truly helping people do more than just business together. Leading them into it and not just that but allowing all the leadership that we teach to be showcased in each individual! ! #lovelifeleadership
Martha Andrus says
Love it, so creative and fun, as well as a huge service!
Elaine Mallios says
Great job. After hearing Orrin Woodward’s talk on the AGO subscription series this month – YOU NAILED IT!
Michelle says
How fun and creative and a fabulous way to serve your community! Way to go!
Cindy Beers says
We had a wonderful time. Fry’s was wonderful about donating food to our cause. The Kelsey’s did a great job organizing this event.