Live Inspired Podcast: S4 | Ep. 36 Koran Bolden
If You’re Patient, You’ll Move Past Obstacles Today I am honored to share with you a man who has profoundly inspired me. Koran Bolden is a speaker, author + voice in urban education [...]
We can often become overwhelmed by the obstacles we face- the challenges at work, the long-term financial goals, the struggles with our health- because we focus on all of the little things coming at us all at once.
But this week's #LiveInspired vlog reminds us that if we slow down, breathe, and just take it one thing at a time, we can be successful at it all.
So, take this day breath by breath (or bird by bird) because today is your day. Live Inspired.
"Do you know how awesome that is, Dad?!"
While talking with one of my little ones on Sunday he shared all kinds of facts about the sun and the coming total solar eclipse.
"The sun is 92,000,000 miles away. It's 430,000 miles wide! It's almost 5 billion years old, dad!"
His excitement was contagious.
So yesterday I cancelled a board meeting, skipped out of work, spent time with a few family members and friends, and looked in awe at something I almost always take for granted: our sun.
As magical and as majestic as the total eclipse was, even more powerful was slowing down from the hectic pace of life, pausing with my wife for a few minutes to bask in the sun's warmth (96 yesterday!), then be shaded from that heat by the moon, then hearing the locust and birds singing into the evening sky, and then just as quickly as the Corona appeared, the light again shined though the darkness, and sun continued doing what it seemingly always does: basking our world with its light.
My friends, the very things that are closest to us and most significant in our lives are almost always the very things we most often take for granted.
As the sun sets on another day in your life, take pause to count a few of your blessings.
Not sure where to start?
Try beginning with the one that is beginning to slip away toward the western horizon....only to miraculously reappear tomorrow.
"Do you know how awesome that is?!"
What a gift. Don't miss it. (But wear some cool protective shades if you want to stare at it!)
My friends, on this evening, share with me what are you grateful for today. Looking forward to basking in the light of your gratitude!
This is your day. Live Inspired. J.
JohnOlearyInspires.com.
Join 550,000 others and check out John's podcast!
Good Monday Morning Friends!
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, smile, kind word, listening ear, honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia
Standing up after being knocked down is difficult.
Regardless of what triggered the fall, the journey back up requires a strong will, daring vision and resolute character. It’s an action that demands the best of our efforts and often, it’s one that can’t be made by ourselves. Let me explain.
Chris Norton knows what it’s like to be knocked down, lose it all and then battle back and rebuild.
As a college freshman, he was injured making a tackle during a football game. As a packed stadium fell silent, Chris found himself lying on the field surrounded by coaches and trainers. He was completely conscious but unable to move. After an emergency helicopter flight to the hospital and various tests, it was explained that he had broken his neck and the likelihood of his regaining any function was less than 3%.
Chris heard the prognosis, but decided to not be defined by it. He committed on that first day to not only regain function, but to walk across the stage to accept his college diploma.
Weeks later, the reality of the injury set in. With very little progress made, Chris became less optimistic. Then, in the middle of the night, the door to his hospital room opened and Dr. Georgia entered. She was there to do a routine check of his vital signs but realized quickly that the larger concern might be his emotional health.
She got down on one knee, looked him in the eyes and said, “You are going to beat this.” Unconvinced that Chris believed her, she spoke more firmly, “Chris, look in my eyes.” The young man turned his head and made eye contact. She said, “I am from Wyoming. People from Wyoming don’t lie. You. Will. Beat. This.”
The doctor rose to her feet, smiled at Chris and left. Chris’s dream was reignited – all it took was acknowledgment from another person; this small act of caring.
For the next few years, Chris fought on; owning the truth that he would “beat this.” Day after day he tried, endured, fell and rose again. He prayed, dreamed and believed that he could make the walk.
On May 25, 2015, garbed in a cap and a gown in Luther College’s packed auditorium, with his parents and classmates looking on, Chris rolled toward the platform in his wheelchair.
Assisted by his fiancé, he rose to his feet, walked slowly across the platform and accepted his diploma. A loud roar from the thousands gathered filled the auditorium. (I was so moved by Chris’s story and the video sharing his big walk that I had him on the Live Inspired podcast. Listen for encouragement to rise above your own adversities here.)
Chris is a fighter, overcomer and hero, but he could not have done it without others. He needed his family, his medical team, his teammates and his fiancé Emily. He needed their encouragement and he needed their efforts.
He needed a chance visit from Dr. Georgia. He needed the bold vision for tomorrow that was crystalized after their compassionate conversation.
And he needed hope for his journey to come.
My friends, too frequently we underestimate the power of a touch, smile or kind word. We undervalue the profound gift of a listening ear, honest compliment or small act of caring.
In the end, it’s often these small acts which have the potential to turn a life around. Maybe even your own.
This is your day. Live Inspired.
* * * * *
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Check out my #LiveInspired Podcast with Chris: bit.ly/ChrisNortonPodcast
#NCAA #football #football2017 #CountdownToKickoff #motivation #goalsetting
“Don’t get too far ahead and miss what you need to do now.”
This advice comes from today's guest whom you’ve likely “met” through the viral video of him walking across the stage at his graduation. Why was this so meaningful?
Chris Norton was paralyzed while playing NCAA Football. Accomplishing this walk became his biggest goal. His walk, story and determination will give you amazing insight to live more inspired today.
Listen to #LiveInspired Podcast S4 | Ep. 43 here:
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#NCAA #football #football2017 #motivation #goalsetting #inchbyinch #determination
"Until you treat everyone as an equal, you have no right to complain about the treatment you receive from anyone." - Unknown
The above quote came to mind this weekend as I watched the horrible tragedy in Charlottesville unfold on TV.
This week's #LiveInspired vlog reminds us that we are truly better together, so rather than focusing on our differences, let's choose instead to focus on what unites us.
Today is your day. Live Inspired.
#Charlottesville #StopTheHate #LoveOneAnother #BetterTogether #PrayForCharlottesville