James (Jay) Toups’ Post

My name Davene means "beloved", and in the spirit of this day, I'll share four (4) things that I love: 1. I love helping people - all of my roles (professional/volunteer) enable(d) me to help individuals or groups. 2. I love watching movies - comedy and romance are my favorite genres. 3. I love to give thanks - I start and end each day in gratitude. 4. I love to sleep - aside from my work, it's the one thing I know to do very well. Do you know what your name means? What are some things that you love? Share below, if you don't mind. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, take care and talk soon.

This 👇 We can all relate to this story and remember exactly how it felt, especially early in life – and how thankful we felt in the moment. This upcoming Holiday Season, I propose the following challenge as the best office gift: be the kid that makes a space on the bench for someone else. For 7 days, mindfully ask yourself everyday: “how have I created a space for someone on the bench today”? Examples at work: 👉 Have I championed someone, or sponsored someone that should have more visibility? 👉 Have I let someone who is wishing to learn shadow me in a meeting (so that they can learn by observation and get visibility)? 👉 Have I given someone the opportunity to present their work? 👉 Have I connected someone to someone else that can help them get their next great opportunity? 👉 Have I extended the ladder down after I succeeded, to help the next person up? Or am I coaching my replacement? 👉 Have I helped someone succeed today? What other questions can we ask ourselves. Which ones are easy and natural for us / which do we need to actively remind ourselves. As for myself, the last question 'helping others succeed in their task or job' comes most naturally... but I need to work a harder at actively remembering more of these questions (especially shadowing). Most importantly I want to ensure that I don't miss that kid full of potential looking for a seat. Be the change you want to see. #eq #bethechange #bethechangeyouwanttosee #growthmindset #emotionalintelligence #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipjourney

Two things as we start the week: My wife and two daughters saw Inside Out 2 for Father's Day. Being a Father has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and regardless of any position I will ever have, "Dad" and "Husband" are the most important titles I will ever hold. Being a father has helped me professionally in many ways, as I am more patient (I think), a better listener (I hope), and see more to life than my professional existence. Now... regarding Inside Out 2. GO SEE IT!! It is for old and young alike, but the movie was impactful to my wife and me since the storyline is about a 13-year-old, and we have an 11 and a 13 year old. The movie is about complex emotions that we all are constantly managing, and it uniquely illustrates anxiety. It quickly joined my top three of Disney/ Pixar Movies, which are now: 1. Coco 2. Inside Out 2 3. Tangled What are your top 3 Disney/ Pixar favorites? Have a great week, everyone! #FathersDay #Emotions #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Disney #Pixar

Fancy a New Year’s Eve wrapped in slippers and snuggled on the couch over bustling bars and crowded dance floors? 🥳🍾 You're not alone - I'm right there with you! Good thing choosing the comfort of home doesn't mean skimping on celebration. For all my fellow homebodies, consider these suggestions: • Sip in Style: Mix up elegant mocktails or cocktails like Hot Buttered Rum or Pomegranate Margarita. A quick recipe search promises a fun toast as the clock strikes twelve. • Dreams on Display: Go beyond just resolutions for 2024. Dive into vision boarding to capture and display your aspirations. 'This is Adult Life' provides an insightful tutorial to get started. • Elevate Game Night: Move past the usual Monopoly. Try Saboteur, the intriguing mafia card game, or Just One, a new word association game. Laughs and camaraderie guaranteed. • Cinematic Celebrations: Rom-com marathon anyone?? Line up Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and The Holiday. In the mood for action or comedy? Ocean’s 11 and Trading Places await. Don't be afraid to go all out while staying in this New Year's Eve. Just be sure to bookmark this post, share it with friends, and come back to it when it's time to plan! Source: How to Make a Vision Board for 2023 (and Why You Should) - This is Adult Life

This post isn't about comparing spouses or prompting yours to mimic Jonathan's actions for you. I'm often asked what I miss most about Jonathan, and it's a question that often catches me off guard because there are so many things. One of those moments of missing him is on Sunday nights, not every Sunday night, but most of them. He would take my car to the local carwash for a quick wash and vacuum, and on his way back, he'd fill it up with gas. I never had to ask for the latter; he just did it. But since February 1, 2022, I've lacked the motivation to clean the inside of my car. Sure, I'd fill it up with gas weekly and maybe run it through the carwash once a month or so. However, the interior has begun to show the normal wear and tear of everyday driving and nighttime commutes. It's not exactly 'messy,' but it's certainly not 'kept,' if you know what I mean. Whenever I consider tidying it up, my interest fades almost instantly, as if that's Jonathan's responsibility, or as if I'm waiting for him to take care of it (I will be waiting forever now). I've somehow convinced myself that as long as the exterior of my car is clean, everything is fine. That perception changed last week while driving home from Cherry Hill. With no radio playing and my phone silent for once, it was just me, God, and my windshield. And in that quiet moment, I began to reflect. Humans are a lot like my car in that sense. We can appear clean, well-groomed, and smiling on the surface, and everyone assumes we're okay. But often, that's not the reality. We all have emotional baggage, struggles, and scars that we carry within us. Don't be misled by outward appearances. Take the time to engage in meaningful conversations with your staff, residents, and family members. 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 23:28, Psalms 51:10, Proverbs 23:26 #professionalism #taketime #keepkind #staff #engagement #customerservice #conversation #growth

Dive into our guide to strengthen the special bond between fathers and daughters! Discover 10 practical tips and explore heartwarming movies showcasing this unique relationship.

😡… The mechanism of annoyance 🤯 involves the limbic system, but Daymond this is too funny 😂 In the brain/ the amygdala processes emotional responses. Your simple action, putting on a do-rag 🧢 or imitating that voice 🎤, activated the amygdala --> HPA axis --> cortisol release ↑ and autonomic nervous system activation --> sympathetic response (heart rate ❤️🔥 ↑, arousal ↑). The prefrontal cortex 🧠 may evaluate the action's social context, modulating the emotional response, but persistent or repeated stimuli (e.g., the rag and accent 🎭, which I thought was a funny voice) can overwhelm this regulation, leading to sustained activation of stress pathways and heightened emotional arousal, manifesting as annoyance. Potentially, pre-treatment with natural options 🌿 may prevent or reduce this response… similar to treating PTSD when a known exposure is about to come. FYI - Other things that might give a similar response (when in public) - Bandana, headband, wave cap, beanie, skull cap, scarf, etc

🎬 Dreaming of that Movie Life? 🌟 Let's Reconsider... Ever found yourself yearning for that "movie life" you see on screens? 🎥✨ But pause for a moment and ask yourself, is it really as it seems? 🌟 Ever scrolled through social media, mesmerized by the seemingly perfect people with their flawless bodies on dream vacations? 💭 Think again... Is it real? 🤔 If you have listen to this! Let's delve into this together! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Have you ever questioned the reality behind those picture-perfect moments? Let's have a real talk about the stories behind the screens! 🎬✨ #socialmedia #personaldevelopment #motivation

The nostalgia of childhood often calls to us, reminding us of simpler times when fun and joy seemed to permeate every aspect of our lives. Here's why revisiting those memories can be so appealing: Innocence and Wonder: Childhood is often characterized by a sense of innocence and wonder, where the world feels full of possibilities and magic. Revisiting those memories allows us to tap into that sense of wonder and reconnect with the joy and excitement of exploring the world around us. Freedom and Playfulness: Childhood is a time of freedom and playfulness, where responsibilities are minimal, and the focus is on enjoying the moment. Revisiting childhood memories reminds us of the importance of play and encourages us to embrace spontaneity and fun in our adult lives. Simplicity and Uncomplicated Joy: Childhood memories evoke a sense of simplicity and uncomplicated joy, where happiness often came from the simplest of pleasures—a sunny day at the park, playing with friends, or enjoying a favorite toy. Revisiting those moments reminds us to appreciate the little things in life and find joy in the present moment.Richard DiPilla