Lemke Leadership

My Mantra for a Magical, Magnificent 2026

Karen Lemke — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:34:44 +0000

What is your WORD for 2026? This year, I’m choosing a mantra instead of a single word: FAITH FIRST, ACTION AFTER.

My focus will be to get my head and heart centered in FAITH before taking any ACTION.
FAITH (for me) means BELIEVING in a higher power,
believing in myself,
believing in others,
and TRUSTING that everything is working out.
TRUSTING that others have the power to make wise choices and create their own happiness.
TRUSTING that I have the power to set meaningful intentions and follow my heart’s divine guidance toward them.
TRUSTING that we can all envision (and create) even more joy, more light-hearted moments, and more magical, memorable adventures than we ever imagined.

And then? Well, ACTION comes after that faith-filled vision.
Action is just a series of small, simple steps, one at a time, that turn faith, belief and trust into reality.
The actions are different if we’re in a place of Faith First.
The actions are geared toward creation, not destruction.
The actions are focused upon “What Can Be” instead of “What Shouldn’t Be.”
The actions are centered in excitement and inspiration…
and they are totally different from actions driven by doubt and fear.

So this year, my focus will be FAITH FIRST, ACTION AFTER.
That means getting the vision faithfully painted in my head and heart…
Believing that everything my heart desires is possible…
Trusting that I am worthy of it all…
And then taking inspired action to make each dream come true.

I invite you to dream alongside me, and join me in creating your own magnificent, magical 2026! It will truly be your Happy New Year!

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3 Words that Instantly End Self-Bullying

Karen Lemke — Wed, 28 May 2025 21:50:42 +0000

by Karen K. Lemke

I’m delighted that Aspire Magazine has published my recent article. Keep reading to learn the 3 little words that can change your life…

3 Words that Instantly End Self-Bullying

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Speaking to the Unimaginable

Karen Lemke — Sat, 17 May 2025 19:27:50 +0000

I sat in “sacred space” today…
I was with a dear friend who shared his story…
A story of the scary health diagnosis that most of us have never heard of.
A story of how life has been turned upside down for an adorable family in our community.
A story of strength and resilience and love… and anger and fear and pain… and all the things we are afraid to say aloud.
I felt like my words or suggestions would be inadequate. How do you speak to the unimaginable?
Today, I was reminded of the best way to respond in sacred space…
Be With Him. And Just Listen.

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4 Steps to HEAL and Forgive

Karen Lemke — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:12:15 +0000

By Karen K. Lemke

Forgiveness is a process. It’s not the one-and-done “I forgive and I forget” event. I wish it were that easy! Instead, it’s the repetitive “I forgive and I forgive and I forgive,” over and over again, as each new opportunity arises to heal, to learn and to grow.

And it’s that time, again. Things are coming up as haunting memories presenting unanswered conundrums: How could someone do that? How could someone say that? Why didn’t I learn faster? Why didn’t I choose a better response? Why can’t I just get over it?

And when that pain creeps into my head and heart, I know it’s time to begin the process of forgiveness once again. I have already forgiven so many times… And now I need to (choose to) forgive again.

In recent months, I’ve developed four steps that facilitate my forgiveness. I use the acronym HEAL, which makes it easier to remember the steps. I repeat the process every time painful thoughts and feelings arise, and it really does bring me a sense of control, of grounding, of healing. And that brings me peace and optimism. I hope it provides the same ease and healing for you.

H = Honor the experience(s) and those involved. Honor the terrific, the traumatic and everything in between… and honor the belief that you CAN heal from them. Each experience can bring learning, clarity and opportunity to build a life of true joy (even if it takes a lot of work along the way). These things have happened. And know that they do not have to define you. Instead, they can shape you in the direction(s) YOU choose. If you were to perceive the experiences as clay in your hands, what would you create with that clay? Let your vision of new, beautiful perspectives, feelings and future outcomes strengthen your struggling heart.

E = Eliminate blame and shame. No one needs to be shackled by these harsh, insidious destroyers. Release the blame and shame from yourself, and ultimately from what you’ve imposed upon others, too. How else could you feel? What else could be true? Find liberation each day by repeating the mantra frequently: I love me and I forgive you. Let this mantra soften your tormented heart.

A = Affirm the light and love that reside inside you, as eternal gifts from the Divine within. The light and love are ever present, ever encouraging, ever renewing, ever healing. Recognize them; feel them; honor them; and nurture their life-giving energies. Picture them flowing through your entire body, and then expanding outside of you, too. Picture the golden, shimmering energy surrounding you, filling you, and emitting from you. Let that light and love soothe your healing heart.

L = Live. Right here, right now, moment by moment by moment. Be present. Be peaceful. Be easy on yourself and on others. Look for the grace and the beauty and the opportunity to enjoy THIS moment. Stay focused on the power of this present, joyful NOW. Pay attention, pause and soak it in with gratitude. Let it breathe life and inspiration into your hopeful heart.

This holiday season, I’m using the HEAL process to remind me how I can think, and what I can do, to forgive once again. It would be a gift to share that forgiveness and healing with others. And more importantly, it’s the best gift we can each give to ourselves.

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Presenting a keynote speech to over 400 people… Scary, huh?

Karen Lemke — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:32:14 +0000

Below is the view from the stage as people were gathering at the event on October 14, 2024… and also the reminder that I was “up next.” You know what’s even scarier? NOT doing it! NOT saying YES to the invitation. NOT living the life I was born to live. What do YOU dream of doing? Imagine it. See it. Feel it. Reach for it. Believe in yourself, and enlist loving supporters to encourage you. You’re a star… Go Show How you SHINE! The world is waiting for you!

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3 Keys to Stellar Success

Karen Lemke — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:39:40 +0000

I’m delighted that Aspire Magazine recently published my article, “3 Keys to Stellar Success.” You can find it here:

3 Keys to Stellar Success

Then remember that you are BRIGHT and BRILLIANT! Keep Showing How You SHINE!

Karen

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Break Free and Shine

Karen Lemke — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 22:15:35 +0000

We never get loved by believing we must EARN love.

We get loved by honoring ourselves.

We never get happier by pleasing others.

We get happier by reaching for joy and saying YES to our desires.

We never get true worth by acquiring possessions, position or power.

We find true worth by looking WITHIN for our inherent value.

We never get braver by staying quiet and small.

We get braver by stepping past self-doubt, in pursuit of our dreams.

We never get better by diminishing ourselves.

We get better by honoring our own magnificence and distinguishing ourselves.

We never get brighter by hiding our shine.

We get brighter by showing how we SHINE.

TODAY, SET YOURSELF FREE TO SHINE LIKE THE STAR YOU ARE!

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HAPPY New Year!

Karen Lemke — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 17:20:45 +0000

Would you like to be happier in 2024? Here’s a simple tool that really works: Look for things (every day) that turned out BETTER than you expected! Big things, little things, simple things, easy things… the “clean living” parking spot (as my Dad calls it); the kind person who holds a door for you; the person who waves you into the traffic line with a smile; the opportunity to do something meaningful for someone else; a child’s giggle that makes you giggle, too; an unexpected text from an old friend, etc. You will be amazed at how many reasons you have to be GRATEFUL and EXCITED each day. Go ahead, give it a try. And get ready for a HAPPY New Year!

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Unfortunate Blessings in 2023

Karen Lemke — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 17:18:33 +0000

Looking back on 2023, were there things that didn’t go as you had planned/hoped? For sure! And could it be that the results of those “unfortunate events” were actually “blessings” for you? If you faced adversity of any kind this year, I bet you are now stronger, wiser, on a better path with different perspectives, learning to love better, granting grace and compassion in a deeper way… for others and for yourself. I wish you gratitude for the outcomes of those “unfortunate blessings,” and a peaceful, brilliant hope for the New Year. May your 2024 be merry and bright!

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Game On!

Karen Lemke — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 01:28:58 +0000

Game On, folks! Last Wednesday, October 4, we celebrated the Fifth Annual Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by Vicki Updike of New Sage Strategies. I was honored to be a speaker at the event, which hosted over 700 people in person at the Resch Center in Green Bay, and over 300 participants online. As I spoke that day, in the shadow of our own goal post at Lambeau Field, I was reminded of the challenges and the successes we have experienced at “the game.” And so I ask you to ponder:
1. What is YOUR game? What is the mission or the “call” you were born to follow? Celebrate all the progress you have already made! (Your record is better than you realize!)
2. Who is on your team? Who are all those wonderful people who have come to your aid (or come to watch the game with your favorite potato chips or beverage)? Who is cheering you on? Who shows up in your tough times and your terrific times? Who picks you up and carries you to the locker room? Who picks you up and carries you to the endzone for the Lambeau Leap? Celebrate them!
3. Who is your coach? Who believes in you even when you doubt yourself? Who sees your magnificence and encourages you to see it, too? Who teaches you the moves and the lessons that help you succeed in your game, and in your life? Celebrate your coaches and mentors! (You have many of them!)
4. What position do YOU play? What position would you still like to play? How do you contribute to the success of your team? Celebrate YOU! Celebrate the spirit you bring to your game. And ENJOY it! The world is full of cheering fans who are waiting for you to emerge from the locker room.
Are you ready! Let’s go! Game ON!

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