Rick Clapp

Strategic Coach | Father of 6 | Jeep Enthusiast | Advocate for Eswatini | Helping you get out of survival mode, rediscover your True North, and thrive

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

We are so excited to announce that Beyond Survival is heading back to Eswatini this November 6–18, 2026!

This year is a special one. Twenty years ago this coming August, we stepped off a plane in Swaziland for the very first time, and nothing was ever the same. What began as our family's response to an undeniable call has grown into a community of families from across Colorado and the United States investing their lives into the people of Eswatini.

This November trip is our 20th anniversary trip, and we would love for you to join us. If you've ever felt called to go — this is the year. If you are interested, let us know and we will send you our trip overview.

Our first team meeting will be on August 30th via Zoom. Reach out to us at [email protected] to get more information or to sign up.

If you're unable to join us but would like to give toward the trip, you can do so here: https://t.co/snYePghEcD

We'll keep all our updates right here on Beyond Survival social media. Thanks so much for your love and support over these 20 years. We are so excited for this year's trip.

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

I've been having this conversation with my friends about ai. By using AI, I've really enjoyed saving time on projects and helping me think. However, ai, can't replace a human. I think it's important to process this fact and share it with others:

Here’s the short list—what only a human can do for another human’s well-being that no AI ever will:

1. Feel the weight of a soul in your chest.  When someone sobs in your office, you ache with them. AI can detect tears via webcam; it can’t grieve with those who grieve.

2. Lay actual hands on them in prayer.  The warmth of your palm on a trembling shoulder while you pray carries the incarnate presence of Christ. AI can generate a prayer; it can’t transmit comfort through touch.

3. Discern the Spirit’s whisper in real time.  In a counseling session, you sense a nudge: “Ask about the dad.” That’s the Spirit, not data. AI predicts; humans perceive.

4. Bear the cost of love.  You lose sleep, skip meals, absorb anger, and still show up. AI has no body to weary, no heart to break—no sacrifice.

5. Smell the hospital room and stay. The bleach, the fear, the beeping. You sit in it. AI can send a perfectly timed text; it can’t abide in the valley of the shadow.

6. Forgive from the inside out.  When someone betrays you, you wrestle, repent, and reconcile—in your gut. AI can model forgiveness scripts; it has no nature to surrender.

7. Celebrate the mystery of resurrection hope. At a graveside, you weep and proclaim, “He is risen!” with a cracked voice and unshakable conviction. AI can quote 1 Cor 15; it has never tasted death of a loved one.

8. Love the unlovable because you’ve been loved first. You hug the addict who relapses for the 7th time. Your love isn’t algorithmic—it’s covenantal, rooted in being loved while unlovely.

9. Carry secrets to the grave. You hold the unspeakable—abuse, shame, suicide attempts—and never talk about them. AI stores data; humans conceal it.

10. Be the image of God in flesh. AI can mimic empathy. Only you—imago Dei—can reflect the Father’s heart in a way that makes someone value the power of presence.

Here is the bottom line: AI can support soul care.

Only you can be the real human touch for another—with scars, tears, and a heartbeat.

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

@TheCleanCarClub 23456

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Feeling drained and avoiding tough conversations or crises?

Sign #10: Energy Depletion
It’s extra hard to face difficult conversations, people, or circumstances. Instead of acting with energy, fear and avoidance take over, signaling depletion that undermines resilient leadership.

“Courage is about doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Build resilience by honing skills like delegation and prioritizing self-care to overcome fatigue and fear.

What’s your challenge this week?

Explore all 10 signs:https://t.co/1jZCLzLMo1

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Your soul aches for something different, a void that possessions or people can’t fill.

Sign #9: Craving Authentic Change
You don’t know exactly what you need, but a gut-wrenching emptiness signals your soul’s thirst for something real. This deep void, like a valley of dry bones, craves authentic change that can’t be fabricated, undermining your leadership vitality.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller

Embrace transformational leadership to proactively address this emptiness. Foster a supportive environment where authenticity thrives through open communication and meaningful action.

What’s your soul craving?

Explore all 10 signs:https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Achieving goals but feeling unfulfilled, wondering, "Is this all?"

Sign #8: Functioning Without Fulfillment
This signals a lack of satisfaction, quietly undermining leadership fulfillment.

As Ichak Adizes says, “Success is not the measure of how rarely you fall, but how many times you get up.”

Help your team recharge by managing burnout with simple strategies like setting clear boundaries and prioritizing tasks.

What’s your secret to finding fulfillment?

Explore all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzLMo1

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

When every task feels like a duty without passion?

Sign #7: Loss of Passion
This signals a void that dims team morale and your leadership effectiveness.

As the saying goes, “Working hard for something we love is called passion. Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress.”

Combat burnout by trying fresh approaches and cutting ineffective habits, like endless, purposeless meetings. Reignite joy by delegating tasks that play to your team’s strengths.

What’s one chore you’re reframing?

Explore all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Spending more time critiquing others than building your path?

Sign #6: jealousy eroding joy and focus in your leadership journey.

“Gratitude is riches. Complaining is poverty.” – Doris Day

To mitigate, encourage regular well-being check-ins to foster empathy and reduce comparison.

How do you handle comparison?

Full insights await: https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Are your once-solid plans now feeling stagnant and stifling?

Sign #5: Stagnation
This signals a need to reassess, as stagnation drains leadership vitality.

As Jack Welch said, “If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near.”

Prioritize flexibility by adjusting schedules to reduce overload and promote work-life boundaries. Adapt plans to maintain momentum.

Ready to audit your plans?

Explore all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Feeling lost, with your sense of purpose and drive fading?

Sign #4: Purpose Void
This signals a fading "why" that can derail even the strongest leaders.

As Viktor Frankl said, “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'”

Replenish your energy with healthy sleep, nutrition, exercise, and strong social connections to refocus on meaningful goals.

What’s fueling your purpose today?

Explore all 10 signs:https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Are you rushing through days on autopilot, feeling directionless and heavy-hearted?

Sign #3: Living on Autopilot
This signals soul emptiness, stifling innovation and effective leadership.

“The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” – Tony Blair

To counter this, invest in psychological support for yourself and your team, creating spaces for open dialogue on workload. Schedule intentional pauses to realign with your vision, guarding your heart against drift.

How do you stay present and purposeful?

Explore all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzLMo1

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Feeling drained and dreading the day ahead?

Sign #2: Lack of Purpose
Waking up questioning "why" signals your soul needs refreshing, turning even simple tasks into overwhelming burdens.

“Don’t tell me your priorities, show me your calendar.” – Larry Winget

Spot burnout early and prioritize self-care. Feeling valued can reignite your drive. Kickstart your mornings with gratitude practices to shift from dread to purpose.

How do you start your day with intention?

Explore all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Over the next few days, I’ll share insights from my blog, 10 Signs Your Soul Is Running on Empty.

Sign #1: Apathy
Feeling persistently "blah" with no excitement for life? This is a key sign your soul is drained, sapping your energy and overshadowing life’s joys.

For leaders, apathy can disengage teams and stall progress, manifesting as low motivation and resistance to new ideas.

As James Clear says, “A lack of routine causes more problems than poor choices. Routines turn desired behavior into default behavior.”

Build emotional self-awareness by understanding and managing your emotions. Start small with daily habits like reflective journaling to rekindle motivation.

What’s your routine for staying motivated?

Discover all 10 signs: https://t.co/1jZCLzMkdz

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

@Bitcoinblacck BVWSUGuq4h2yNo8DGqXzJYgKv4vYDKdfASWVUStyw3zZ

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

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[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

We are so excited about this year's mission trip to Eswatini coming up in July! This week is the last week you can sign up to go with us this year.

Our first team meeting is on Sunday. If you are unable to join us but would like to give towards our trip, you can do so here. We will put all our team updates on our Beyond Survival social media platforms. Thanks so much for your love and support. Beyond Survival https://t.co/snYePghEcD

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Our 2025 Mission trip team meeting is just 10 days away! There is still room if you want to go with us. If you are not able to go, but want to help support this year's trip, you can do so at https://t.co/2buz12nnIW . #beyondsurvival

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

Almost 17 years ago, in the fall of 2008, our family started a new journey. After serving in the country of Eswatini (Swaziland at the time), for 2 years, we felt God calling us to enter into the world of adoption. This was scary at first. We had no idea how these new children would fit into our family. We had no idea how God would provide. What we did know is that God had made it abundantly clear that this was His calling on our family. So, we followed Him...https://t.co/fakQdTtmTh

[Rick Clapp @rick_clapp]

We are very excited to announce our 2025 Swaziland Mission Trip will be July 4th to 16th and we would love for you to consider joining us!

We have been dreaming about this trip for 16 years. It's a super special one for our family. You can read more here at: https://t.co/fakQdTsP3J

If you are interested in going with us on this year's mission trip, message us and we will send you the 2025 Mission Trip Overview.

All team meetings will be virtual via zoom. Our first team meeting will be on April 6th.

We can't wait to see how this team comes together!