Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, 14 April 2025, "Begin"

“You’ve got to start with what you’ve got.”– Robert Rodriguez

Begin

Robert Rodriguez’s movie studio is a vast place. A place where ideas take shape, and movie pitches come to life. When I say come to life, it’s because the lessons of creativity he’s discovered, over more than ten years, are aptly relevant to every person and every life.

Robert is a legend. You may know him as the creator of the Spy Kids series of films. He’s someone whose career and family life has always been transforming and inspirational. From the groundbreaking El Mariachi to his low-budget indie films, Robert has built his life around creativity, not cash. Perhaps that starting place could be called the beginning of more than film making. He’ll tell you it has also become his philosophy of fatherhood.

“Working with my children on projects has brought us closer together and deepened our relationship in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve been blown away at what my children are capable of. They’ve moved way beyond me in so many ways.”

Had he waited for the perfect time begin collaborating with his children he never would have started. 

“You’ve got to start with what you’ve got. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment or the ‘perfect’ resources. When I made El Mariachi, I had $7,000, no crew, no fancy cameras, just an idea. I had to get creative because that was all I had. And that’s what forced me to think outside the box, to tell a story with limited means. Creativity doesn’t come from having more; it comes from working with what you have and making it work.”

You start small, with what’s in front of you, and you build from there. Your circumstantial limitations are actually what force you to come up with the most innovative ideas. It’s all about making the most of what you’ve got.

“That’s the key,” Robert explains. “When you’re creating with the intent to innovate, the rest seems to fall into place. The work you’re afraid to make, the one you think might fail, is often the work that will connect the most with people. They’re not looking for perfection, they’re looking for honesty, for something real.”

The true creative process happens when you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone, to experiment and fail and learn. If you’re stuck in doing the same thing, in the same way all of the time, you’ll stop evolving. But if you allow yourself the freedom to try something new, you’ll discover your passion. Starting is like punching a ticket to receive.

You can only receive new inspiration by starting, looking and receiving more as you go. It is a freeing process, because the act of starting with what you’ve got precludes other paths and gives you focus. 

“It makes it easy,” Robert says.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYFyXlDwN-fc35VXcwo-Fza_bVNWEong/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, 7 April 2025 "Moved"

“They want to hold our furniture hostage!”– Debbie and Leon Madewell

Moved

The music was pounding, making it virtually impossible to hear anything else. Yet, something else was tickling my ear. So much so, that I decided I should pull the phone from my pocket and look at the screen. That fortuitous look and the conversation that followed moved the course of the evening as well as the celebration.

“The movers didn’t show up today!”

I could feel the tension radiating from my friend Leon Madewell’s voice, as if we were in a nuclear reactor. Leon and Debbie had hired a moving company, found on the internet, several weeks earlier and had paid a sizable deposit. Everything appeared to be moving ahead smoothly until the movers didn’t show-up, offering a promise they’d come the next day.

“When they didn’t show,” Debbie, Leon’s wife, said, “I decided to do some additional background checking. Many former clients have expressed horror driven frustration, saying that once this company had picked up their furniture, they held it for ransom, demanding an additional ten-thousand-dollars to release it! We need your help!”

Moving is always an unmooring and emotional experience. An experience which is hard enough, without adding extortion to the mix. So, with one finger in my right ear and my phone held to my left ear I left the celebration music behind while walking out of the ballroom, thinking.

My thoughts walked back to a conversation with Marty Buchanan, about nine months ago. He told me of Erika Young and made a quick introduction. Marty is a business broker and his clients have worked with Young’s Moving Service on many occasions. He’s one of my most trusted advisors, and I knew, like Marty, she’d do everything possible to help Leon and Debbie.

“I’ll text you my friend Erika’s number,” I spouted out breathlessly. “Call her as soon as possible, because it’s getting late. If anyone can help you tomorrow, she can.”

My call with Leon and Debbie ended and they called Erika at about 6:00 pm on a Thursday night. She answered the call!

And, how she answered! 

The next afternoon Leon answered quickly when I called.

“Hi Leon,” I said as soon as he said hello. “How’s your move going?”

“Erika send a bunch of guys! I couldn’t believe how many came on such short notice. They’re unloading the last few items from the truck now! They do amazing work.”

The tension was gone. Leon and Debbie were comfortable and relaxed. The change from nuclear to calm was a moving. Not only was their furniture moved, they were emotionally moved by Erika’s willingness to help strangers on short notice.

I was moved as well. Who would have guessed, nine months ago, that Erika and Marty had begun to generate a moving-miracle?

Are you generating moving-miracles?

_________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYFyXlDwN-fc35VXcwo-Fza_bVNWEong/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, "Worry" 31 March 2025

“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.”– Dan Zadra

Worry

On a rain sputtered Friday, Andrew and I sat across from each other to have a conversational lunch at Local Lime. And, it was clear that something was furrowing Andrew’s brow. The second indicator that something was bothering him was his deep sigh just before he dipped a crispy tortilla chip into the warm queso stationed between us.

“Something on your mind?” I asked, with a quick sideways glance at my friend.

Andrew popped the queso-dripping chip into his mouth, as if trying to warm the thoughts weighing him down. “I’ve been thinking about how much time I waste worrying about my wife and daughter. They’re on a girl’s trip with my wife’s cousin right now and I worry constantly about them. It’s silly, really. Both my wife and her cousin are smart and capable people. And now, talking with you about it, it just seems ridiculous for me to be consumed by this.”

I chuckled softly. “We all worry about small things sometimes. But you know, one of my favorite writers, Dan Zandra, once said, ‘Worry is a misuse of the imagination,’ It’s one of my worry-counterbalancing thoughts, whenever I begin to jump into an anxiety spiral.”

I watched as Andrew raised one of his thick, bushy eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it,” I bounced back to him. Our imagination is powerful. It’s what helps us create stories, dreams, ideas and the future. But, when we focus on worry, we’re using that same power to create worst-case scenarios that haven’t, and likely won’t ever happen. Instead of using the gift of imagination to create cherished, hoped-for dreams, we’re stuck imagining problems.”

Andrew nodded slowly. “Like me, worrying about whether my wife and daughter are safe!” Then, a laugh escaped his once grimaced mouth. “What I should be worried about is my wife’s reaction if I don’t get the house back in order when they arrive home safely!” 

“Exactly,” I replied with a laugh. “It’s the difference between planting seeds of fear instead of trust. Worry can feel real, but it’s just imagination working against us.”

Andrew sighed again, in a mix of frustration and realization. “It’s funny, isn’t it? We spend so much time fearing the future, but when it arrives, it rarely looks the way we thought. How do you stop it, though? I mean, it’s not like anyone chooses to worry.”

At that, I smiled gently. “Maybe it’s not about stopping it, but redirecting it. Remember that quote from Dan Zandra? Next time you catch yourself worrying, use that as a catalyst to take that same scenario you’re imagining, the one where things go wrong, and flip it. Imagine what would happen if everything went right instead.”

Andrew mulled it over. “So, if I’m worried about work, I should picture myself handling things well instead of messing up?”

“Precisely,” I replied. “The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. You’ll train your imagination to work for you, not against you.”

Andrew seemed to breathe easier. “I never thought about it that way. I guess I’ve been letting my mind run wild in the wrong direction.”

“We all do sometimes. But, Dan’s catalyst can help you stop painting a dark sky so you can paint with colors for a sunrise instead. It’s a habit, and habits can change.”

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYFyXlDwN-fc35VXcwo-Fza_bVNWEong/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, "The Next Right Step"

“We offer hope and transformation to young women by helping them take the next right step.” – Bekah Shaffer

The Next Right Step

“Saving Grace serves young women ages 18-25 who have aged out of foster care or are facing homelessness. We provide safe housing in a dorm-style setting and offer each young woman educational assistance, career guidance, coaching, counseling, and more,” Bekah started.

Then, she spoke of her own background.

“I grew up in a poverty household with a mother who neglected us and didn’t teach us how to take care of ourselves,” she explained. “One day someone from child services came and removed us from our home and that’s where I experienced foster care which ushered in the next step in my life.”

Then, “Becky” turned eighteen and she found herself “homeless” as the foster care system turned her out. It was another experience that indicated to her that she had “no people.” Yet, she took the next step with courage and went to work. And, since she had good grades she got into college where she began to meet new, different, people. Meeting a diverse group of people gave her the opportunity to really begin to learn how to live a successful life.

“That’s where I met my husband Kent,”   

Becky went on to say. “He taught me how to study and take care of myself more effectively. He taught me the value of a healthy relationship.”

After Kent and Becky were married she had a desire to help other young women who had endured a similar life experience. So, not long after their marriage the two hopeful collaborators created “Saving Grace Farm.”

At Saving Grace, young women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five are given the opportunity to heal from childhood trauma, cultivate healthy relationships, and break the cycle of poverty that has greatly influenced their lives. Each woman receives support tailored to her unique needs, including safe and stable housing, professional counseling, medical care, life skills training, education, steady employment, and lifelong mentorship. Saving Grace doesn’t put a time limit on healing and forming healthy habits. They invest what it takes to empower each participating woman to alter the trajectory of her life, and create lasting generational change.

They’ve made it their mission to empower participants with the relationships, coaching, and opportunities that will help them to create lasting change without government funds. Perhaps Kent summed-up this approach best when he said, “they come to us without people and when they leave, they have people!”

Well, perhaps, but they have more than just people. They have the farm animals as well. And, it is the animals who also reinforce caring, engage their senses, and compose the steady, healing rhythm of the sacred acres of Grace Farms. After all, animals are the most forgiving creatures on earth.

The animals and people at Saving Grace demonstrate that we all make mistakes and the only thing really needed to move forward is to take the next right step, while being surrounded by good, caring people.

_________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYFyXlDwN-fc35VXcwo-Fza_bVNWEong/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, 17 March 2025, "Know-It-All"

“That’s the reason I’m here.” – Jeremy Cupp

Know-It-All

“I have a question because I just don’t understand the way this works,” Ricky Porter said uncomfortably. 

It was hard to get these words out of his mouth, because Ricky is revered for his success and wisdom in a very competitive industry. In fact, he’s one of the people, inside and often outside his firm, that others call regularly for technical expertise. Thursday was one of those days and Ricky received a call from someone who used to be with his firm.

“Hi Ricky. I have a question for you. I hope you can help me,” the former colleague said before launching into some background information to set the stage for his question.

Ricky listened carefully and then outlined the solution in a minute or two.

“I knew you were the right guy to answer this question,” the caller said while thanking him for his help.

As Ricky finished the call he felt a warm sense of satisfaction glow across his chest. It always makes him feel good to help other people. He’s happy to do it. But, the day of asking for help wasn’t finished yet.

Ricky had a lot on his schedule for the rest of the afternoon. It was challenging work, but he was experienced and knew he could work through all of the issues associated with some ongoing negotiations; until he couldn’t.

The internal confusion about how to proceed was a feeling he had a hard time processing. After all, he already knew it all.

That thought made him snicker and then laugh right out loud! He had always thought of himself as helpful and kind. He had never thought of himself as a know-it-all and had never liked people who gave off such airs. But, It was time to do the uncomfortable.

“Hello Jeremy. This is Ricky. I would be grateful if you could help me. I don’t understand a pivotal point in a contract I’m in the middle of negotiating. Would you be willing to help me?”

“That’s the reason I’m here,” Jeremy responded immediately. “I’ll be in my office until at least five pm. Could you stop in this afternoon?”

When Ricky sat down with Jeremy he took a deep breath. It was a new experience for him to ask advice from someone so much younger. But, he needed the help, so he proceeded to review his questions with his colleague.

Jeremy answered his questions quickly and easily. In fact, his expert explanation opened Ricky’s mind to other applications for his newly gained knowledge. The meeting also gave Jeremy a chance to make some inquiries of his own before the meeting was finished. In the end it was a mutually beneficial meeting.

Utilizing the principle of mutually benefiting opportunity is a key to overcoming a know-it-all mindset. Putting it into practice can be a challenge, but it is always worth the payoff.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYFyXlDwN-fc35VXcwo-Fza_bVNWEong/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, 10 March 2025 "Painted Nails"

“We enjoyed meeting you, discussing Salt Lake City and painted fingernails.” – Ryan Butler

Painted Nails

From the moment we walked into the large colonial home, which was embraced by mighty oak trees, my eyes were bouncing from the landscape and house to the painted fingers of the other man in our little group of three. A little voice inside my head kept repeating, “there has to be a story behind this.” I was sure there was.

However, I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask a question about painted fingernails. So, I didn’t ask for the first forty or so minutes we were together. But, very near the end of our tour the three of us took a few moments to sit around a dining table in the breakfast nook to talk about what we had seen. That’s when comfortable courage eased the question from my lips.

“Tell me about your colorful fingernails,” I proposed to Ryan Butler, someone I hardly knew.

“Oh,” he started. “I had forgot they were still painted.”

Ryan then went on to say that as his children were growing up he would enjoy time sitting with his young daughters as they painted his fingernails. It allowed them to grow closer together.

“This time my little niece painted them when she and her parents were staying with us,” he continued, our shared experience of having daughters unlocked the door of friendship.

Our conversation caused me to recall a time when my own daughters had invited me to go with them to a nail salon to get a pedicure with them. Toward the end of our sprucing-experience they cajoled me into getting my toenails painted a deep blue with snowflake highlights. I agreed, just to please them, knowing I would be the only one to witness our painted-toe-pact. Yet, confidentiality was not to be so.

A day or so following it was snowing a good bit. That storm ended up leaving six or eight inches of snow covering the ground when I received a call from someone asking to tour a home in Erda. When the time came for me to leave my house I slipped my snow boots over my bare feet and drove to the house to meet people I did not know. And, of course, when we were about to enter the door we removed our boots out of courtesy to the property owners. That’s when my blue toes with snowflake accents were revealed!

Who knew such toe decorations could generate such laughter between strangers?

The backstory of unexpected painted nails caused strangers to become friends quickly. The same way as Ryan’s panted fingernails increased the depth of our friendship in short moments. Strangers came closer together swiftly on both occurrences. We were able to relate to each other as parents, uncles, aunts, or grandparents. 

As a result of sharing painted nails and toes, we shared tenderness of heart.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kmxoi0M4AAIt0kbOKvplZyAd_Qg2SjYd/view?usp=sharing

Lynn Butterfield's Monday's Warm Cocoa, 3 March 2025, Free-For-All

“I woke up this morning to the sound of birds singing.” – Jewel Mlnarik

Free-For-All

 “One year ago, I was sitting in my law office, looking out it’s skyscraper window with slumped shoulders. All I did, each day, was argue with other attorneys,” my friend Lane said while standing amidst our gathered group of friends.

Lane is, or should I say was, a very successful real estate attorney. He was living in one of America’s largest cities. He had worked hard to obtain his law degree, get hired by a major firm and finally, become a partner in the firm. He thought he was working toward happiness and freedom.

“It felt as if every day was some kind of free-for-all. I felt as if my whole life was continuous fighting,” he continued. That was about the change. 

One particular morning he was struggling to leave the comfort of his car as he pulled into the large parking garage attached to his office tower. So, he continued to drive up and up, until he reached the very top level of the structure. It was so early, there were no other cars parked on that top deck.

He parked his lonely car toward the east side of that concrete pad, planted his long legs on its hard surface and got out of his car. Once he was out of the car, he walked to the cement wall in front of him, which reached up to about his waist. Lane stood there, raised his arms to the middle of his body and put his hands on his hips while looking out over the early morning, still lazy city.

The sun was just rising over the mountains. Its rays pierced his chest and warmed his eyes. And, it brought a thought that would change his life. “This beauty is freely given to all. It welcomes joy and peace.”

“Today, I got up and got on my mountain bike, before breakfast. I rode on the trail near my house and felt the wind rush across my face. I let the beauty become infused with my entire being. I’m happy to be here. I’m glad to be living a happy life here with you,” Lane said, before sitting down.

Two mornings later my friend Jewel Mlnarik came over to talk with me after another meeting.

“I woke up this morning to the sound of birds singing, just before the frogs joined the chorus. Then in the evening, I was dazzled by the sight of the lightening bugs, gliding to the music offered by a band of chirping crickets and croaking frogs,” Jewel said with sparkling joy radiating from her eyes.

I replied with, “Isn’t it wonderful that such beauty and wonder is free for all?”

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kmxoi0M4AAIt0kbOKvplZyAd_Qg2SjYd/view?usp=sharing