The Opposite of Wishing with Brian Vander Ark

“We often take for granted all the things and people that most deserve our gratitude.” – C. Ozick

I end every Live Inspired Podcast episode by asking our guest the “inspired 7” questions.

The fourth question is this: “If you could sit on a bench on a beautiful day, overlooking a beach and have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, with whom would you like it to be?”

From more than twenty guests, we’ve had amazing answers including transformatively powerful figures in spiritual movements, historical events, politics, and literature. Including:

Mahatma Gandhi.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Abraham Lincoln.
St. Paul.
Winston Churchill.
Mark Twain.

However, in my most recent interview, Brian Vander Ark’s answer was different. Let me explain.

Brian grew up in Michigan, loved playing music and occasionally performed live shows at the local Holiday Inn bar. His early audiences were sparse but his talent was undeniable. He eventually rose to fame as the singer for the band The Verve Pipe. Their massive smash hit from the late 90’s, Freshman, made Brian an international star.

That song skyrocketed Brian to success. Eventually, though, he discovered the fame was fleeting and the fortune was gone, but the lessons from the rise – and fall – remained.

Today, more humble, wise and grateful than ever, Brian continues to play with The Verve Pipe and enjoys success in his solo career as a musician and speaker.

As we approached the end of our time together on the show, I asked Brian who he’d most want to spend that time on the bench overlooking the ocean with?

He’s rocked out with everyone from Gene Simmons from Kiss to Paul McCarthy from the Beatles. He’s well-read, well-traveled, extremely creative and curious. I was excited to learn who he’d pick. Without even pausing Brian answered:

His wife.

(Before you chalk him up as being sappy, listen to the podcast. You’ll love his candor, his creative process, and his impromptu guitar performance. Listen here.)

My friends, so many of us long for things and people we don’t have.

We spend many of our days at work longing for a different job. Many of us spend entire careers dreaming about retirement. We spend time thinking about the house we wish we lived in, the way we wished our kids acted, the people we wish were closer to us, the lives we wish we had.

Brian challenged me – and each of us – to absolutely pursue dreams, but also to savor the relationships and gifts already present today. [Tweet this] | [Share on Facebook]

Because, ultimately, who better to have a long visit, on a beautiful day, watching the waves crashing, than with someone already closest to us.

This is your day to stop taking for granted all the things and people that most deserve gratitude.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

If you were on the Live Inspired Podcast and I asked, how would you answer: “If you could sit on a bench on a beautiful day, overlooking a beach and have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would that person be?” Post in the comments below and tell me why you chose that person. Can’t wait to continue the conversation!