Own the Miracle
The Improbability of Our Existence “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Anonymous Have you [...]
"Friendship is not a language to learn... it’s a reaction between two hearts." Love this SoulPancake video. Share it with your friends. J
SoulPancake
We asked people from 10 countries: What does friendship mean to you?
Happy Monday Friends!
While watching a 4th of July parade earlier this month, I spent a few minutes chatting with a young man entering his senior year in college. I asked if he was excited to graduate and begin using all he’d learned in the past 20 or so years.
He shrugged, looked away, and responded, “Not really. I think most people my age just feel pretty gloomy about our chances. Take a look around, the world is falling apart and we are the ones that have to figure it out.”
He paused before adding somberly, “I’m pretty sure the American Dream is dead.”
So my friends, is this young man right? Is the American Dream seriously dead?
Today's #MondayMotivation shares why I believe this dream- this promise- is as alive and well and as perfectly attainable as ever before. We may just need to use the problems we face today as fuel to achieve our dreams.
Check out the full blog here: bit.ly/RevivingAmericanDream
* * * * *
I spoke to a living example of the American Dream’s viability on my most recent Live Inspired podcast. Although only five-years-old when his dad died at the height of the Great Depression, Jim Lovell passionately pursued an out-of-this-world dream for his life. He utilized public education before serving his country in the navy. He was accepted into flight school, flew off aircraft carriers, tested new navy aircraft, and was selected as one of the very first astronauts.
Jim Lovell would become a recipient of the congressional space medal of honor, receive the presidential medal of freedom, and be named the TIME Magazine person of the year. He’d also become a household name three decades later when Ron Howard produced a movie about a mission he piloted called Apollo 13. Captain Jim Lovell is a great American hero and I had the honor of interviewing this remarkable man on my most recent Live Inspired podcast. Check it out here: bit.ly/2me4Mvv
One of my favorite quotes from Henri Nouwen. Look for it in chapter 1 of #OnFireBook. This is your day, my friends! Live Inspired.
Get your copy of ON FIRE here: bit.ly/2tPed8H
* * * * *
Download the first two chapters of ON FIRE for free here: tinyurl.com/yath95ev
Captain Jim Lovell was the Spacecraft Commander of Apollo 13. The mission was meant to be the third moon landing attempt, but was infamously cut short when a tank exploded.
Don’t miss hearing this epic piece of history from the man who lived it. Jim also shares how he attained his dream of becoming an astronaut in spite of growing up poor and fatherless during the Great Depression.
Jim’s unfiltered look at what it was like aboard Apollo 13, what it took to get there + what it took to get back to earth safely unearth keys to live inspired as a leader, team player and dreamer:
johnolearyinspires.com/2018/07/live-inspired-podcast-s9-ep-90-apollo-13-commander-jim-lovell/
#Apollo13 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Live Inspired Podcast: S9 | Ep. 90 Apollo 13 Spacecraft Commander Jim Lovell
johnolearyinspires.com
Captain Jim Lovell was the Spacecraft Commander of Apollo 13. The mission was meant to be the third moon landing attempt, but infamously was cut short when a tank exploded.“I have a number in my head.....”
Good morning my friends and welcome to Wednesday morning...with John Oleary!
I’m in Michigan this morning and unable to get a signal strong enough to share my vlog.... so rather than throwing my phone (considered) or kicking the WiFi transponder (already tried twice), I’m just going to type it in!
Between picking blueberries and sitting beach side and swimming and cooking s’mores, my wife and I had a minute yesterday to sneak away from family to chat on a covered swing (the minute ended 59 seconds after it began when our little Grace discovered our secret hiding place, ran over to it, and jumped in her mom‘s lap).
Before the photobomb, Beth and I were having a serious conversation about what we would do if we learned we only had 10 days to live. (Might sound dark, but knowing that your life is precious and fleeting has a way of ensuring that moments are measured, treasured, and savored.) We both agreed there wasn’t a place we wanted to travel, a meal we wanted to eat, a project we wanted completed. It came down to spending as many minutes as possible in those last days with dear friends and family.
My friends, why wait?
Today, choose to invest as much time with those you love as possible. Call an old friend on the way to work, have lunch with a colleague from work (and don’t talk about work!), stop by a family member’s house on the way home, tell people you love them (start with whomever is seated closest to you right this moment!!!)
Our time is Precious and fleeting. Today, Let’s act like it.
And to hear an inspired example of how to truly celebrate the gift of each moment, check out my most recent Live Inspired podcast with Kathy Bresnahan. Coach Kathy is a simply stunning leader; her touching story and interview will share how to live + lead inspired while grieving. You’ll laugh, cry and be renewed.
[BTW - I'm thinking of a number. One lucky commenter below will receive a signed copy of Kathy’s book, Miracle Season. Comment to win!]
www.JohnOlearyInspires.com/podcast
This is your day. Live Inspired. J