Early summer is a time for thunderstorms where I live – they hit hard and fast, but don’t last long. It was during one such storm recently when my family and I were watching a movie. As the storm started, my daughter said with a twinkle in her eye, “Hey, we should go jump on the trampoline!” I’ve started to learn that life is more about the journey than the destination, so I jumped up in my pajamas and said, “Well, let’s go!” She and I were soaked within a few minutes, full of laughing and loving. The storms will come – what we do with them is up to us!
It does little good, I decided, to make the trip and miss the journey.
We’re back for the summer session of “Facing Your Giants” – This e-coaching program has helped hundreds already to transform their adversity into opportunity. Act now to get the entire program (a $295.00 value) for only $39.95. Just think where you will be once you get past your giant!
I recently got a piece of petrified wood as a prize for solving a puzzle at a family reunion. As I hefted the piece I realized that petrified wood is not wood at all – it is stone. It still has the appearance of wood, because that’s what it started as. A gradual process of minerals penetrating and replacing the fibers of the wood has turned it to stone. In a similar way, we don’t change suddenly or overnight – it is a gradual process of principles penetrating and replacing the old thoughts and habits with something more solid and enduring. You are a work in progress!
We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
In this archived episode of Live On Purpose Radio, Dr. Paul interviews the Hopkin family about knowing how to change. The Hopkins graciously share their experience with some of the common, and perhaps less common, challenges of parenting and family life. This episode and others in the album “Parenting On Purpose: Back To Basics” are available now for immediate download.
As I was enjoying game four of the Eastern Conference NBA Finals last night with my sons, I realized that a game without real challenges is not very interesting. Life is a game. The object of this game is to learn things, gain experience, and have joy. As you are playing this game, there will be turns when you draw a card that reads “Bankrupt,” or “Go Back Three Steps,” or “You Lose a Loved One.” Other cards will say “Payday,” or “Fall in Love,” or “Advance Token to Disneyland.” Whatever card you have drawn this turn, the objective remains the same – learn something, gain experience, and have joy. Win this turn, regardless of the card that is drawn!
It is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems are the cutting edge that distinguishes between success and failure. Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed they create our courage and our wisdom.
P. S. Today’s message is dedicated to my twin sister, who is celebrating another birthday today – love ya Pam!
For a spiritual perspective, enjoy this video starring my good friend Will Rodgers -
Have you ever been out driving in the fog or the rain or snow, and it gets so heavy that you can barely see where you are going? I remember several times like this when the best way to keep moving forward is to follow the lights of someone ahead. Life gets murky at times and it can be hard to see clearly the road ahead. Find wise mentors and be humble enough to look at their experience. Keep moving forward, you never know who is following your lights.
A ship in port is safe, but that’snot what ships are built for.- Grace Hopper
My good friend, Kirk Weisler, shared this thought this week. A man was suffering a persistent problem with his house. The floor squeaked. No matter what he tried, nothing worked. Finally, he called a carpenter who friends said was a true craftsmen. The craftsmen walked into the room, and heard the squeak. He set down his toolbox, pulled out a hammer and nail, and pounded the nail into the floor with three blows.
The squeak was gone forever. The carpenter pulled out an invoice, on which he wrote the total of $45. Above the total were two line items:
Hammering , $2
Knowing where to hammer, $43
Don’t short sell your expertise and knowledge. Charge for knowing where to hammer!
The purpose of our lives is to give birthto the best which is within us.- Marianne Williamson
The touch of the master’s hand makes all the difference – take a moment to enjoy this video!
Kirk Hansen is a successful business leader and a pilot.I heard him talking last week about how before taking off, he goes through all of the safety checks on the airplane and requests clearance from the tower.When he is cleared for take-off, he pushes the throttle to full power and picks up speed as he moves along the runway, until he finally pulls back on the yoke and lifts into the sky.Like the throttle on that plane, we have our best chance of taking off if we are fully engaged.Half or quarter throttle just won’t give us the momentum we need to fly.Get fully engaged in your dreams!
We act as though comfort and luxury were the
chief requirements of life, when all that we
need to make us really happy is something
to be enthusiastic about.
- Charles Kingsley
Recharge your confidence and vision – call me!801-380-5161
Take a few minutes to get your inspirational video recharge with Susan Boyle – enjoy.
You spend all of your time every day. No matter how much you try to “save” time, you can’t – it just keeps moving along. The variable you control is how you spend your time. The demands of your life will consume any time you don’t intentionally spend. A friend of mine supplied today’s quote in a song he wrote. Enjoy this one-minute video for today’s laugh, then choose to spend your time today where it matters most!
Are you giving the least to those who matter most?
- Michael McLean
At times I start to feel stuck in one way or another, whether that is financially, emotionally, in a relationship, in my health, or some other way. When I’m stuck, occasionally my mind starts to wander into the “Snow White Syndrome” and I start wishing and hoping for a rescue. In reality, the power to get un-stuck lies with me alone. Who or what is “the economy”? Who or what is “the government”. Who or what will be coming to get us un-stuck? Watch this 1-minute video, and when you stop laughing start rescuing yourself!
P.S. For those of you within reach of Utah County, I would like to invite you to join me and Mary Louise Zeller on April 15th for a private showing of the movie “i-ology” followed by a presentation about a business opportunity for people who are ready to get themselves un-stuck. Free admission and refreshments, but we have limited seating, so register now at http://iologymovienight.eventbrite.com.
You hopefully watched the video clip I posted last week of Mary Louise Zeller. Mary Louise is a 5th degree black belt and 8 time world champion in Tae Kwan Do. At the age of 65, Master Zeller continues to coach and compete, and is preparing for the next olympics when others her age are cheering on their grandkids to do so. She is truly an example of living an ageless and limitless life. I was honored to interview her this week (watch Live On Purpose Radio for the show in a few days). She pointed out that sometimes we don’t feel like doing what we know we should to move forward with our goals. Well, how we feel is sometimes no more significant than the weather report. Sometimes the weather is stormy, and sometimes it is clear. Live on purpose, no matter what!
Enjoy these top three episodes of Live On Purpose Radio:
Difficult circumstances, crushing burdens, troubled relationships, poor choices, tragedy… What are the messes in your life? I realized a while back that every person or story that has inspired me has a hard part in the middle. The unconquerable human spirit that drives people through and above their challenges has the power to inspire. With the proper attitude and perspective, your mess becomes your message.
Please take a moment to enjoy a powerful example of this from a few of my dear friends:
