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17 Sep

What do I admire most about composer + pianist @EricGenuis? That he chooses to share his talent to bring dignity to people in prisons, hospitals, etc. with #ConcertsforHope.

Listen:
🍎: http://bit.ly/EGenuis
Spotify: http://bit.ly/EricGenuis
Web: http://bit.ly/ericgenuis

14 Sep

Things will happen this morning + week completely out of your control. Global pandemics will spread... the media will cover it. The weather will be hot… or cold. The kids will whine, or the silence will be deafening... Full essay here - https://bit.ly/3itXK1c #MondayMotivation

7 Sep

Ever visited with someone you expected to be completely different from you, but soon discovered great similarities, the feeling of connectedness + the gift of a budding friendship? Read my essay about what I learned from my conversation w/ @TheRealLailaAli https://bit.ly/3gXo6H5

7 Sep

Honored to be part of your commute, @kadamsBWE! Stay ON FIRE. J

Composer and pianist @EricGenuis began his music c

6 Sep

Facing obstacles that seem impossible? Made so many mistakes that forgiveness seems unreasonable? Lost hope that you can pull yourself back up? This episode is for you.

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Du6bdy
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QOi4Os
Web: https://bit.ly/2Gjl7fs

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“Never wish that life was easier. Wish that you

20 years ago Bill Clinton was in office, Mark Zuck

@marymarantz would have been her family’s third

“Only through our connectedness to others can we

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2 days ago

Composer and pianist Eric Genuis - Concerts for Hope began his music career with a simple philosophy: never say no to an opportunity to perform.

Today, he has played for millions of captivated audiences around the world and reaches even more hearts and ears through the music he writes for film and television. What do I admire most about Eric?

...That he chooses to share his amazing talent to bring joy, grace and dignity to people in prisons, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes and inner-city schools through his foundation Eric Genuis - Concerts for Hope.

Eric's heart, courageous mission and beautiful music will breathe light into your day.

Listen to #liveinspired Podcast ep. 290:
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/EGenuis
Spotify: bit.ly/EricGenuis
My website: bit.ly/ericgenuis ... See MoreSee Less

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3 days ago

"Man, it's just all bad out there...a swarm of locust is probably next. And maybe that would be a good thing."

Just had a conversation with the delivery guy for our building. I love this guy, but today he shared that all the bad news is just bringing him down ... he's losing hope ... and he ended with the sentence above.

My friends, if you read the headlines or your social media feed [well, besides this one, of course!] you'd be convinced there is utterly no reason for hope.

It's critically important as we navigate life we choose to recognize that what you give power to, has power over your life.

That's true with negativity. True with lousy coworkers. True with negative headlines. True with difficult people. True with addictions and anger and despair.

As the sun begins to set on yet another day, instead of looking for the shadows, turn your attention toward the light.

You'll find it just might power you through this day, into the next and into the truth that the best remains ahead. J ... See MoreSee Less

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5 days ago

“Never wish that life was easier. Wish that you were better.”
– Jim Rohn

Does it seem like people are quick to anger these days? For many, it’s as if they go around seeking reasons to be disappointed, upset or infuriated. Have you noticed the hostility they share frequently makes things even worse?

But what happens when an individual who has every right to be upset chooses instead to respond with grace?

Years ago on an early morning Southwest Airlines flight I had such an experience.

After reaching our cruising altitude, the flight attendants took drink orders and passed out a snacks. They then began serving the requested drinks to the passengers. A hot coffee was set on my drink table and the passenger sitting directly behind me was handed a Bloody Mary. (Hey, it was already 6:30 AM… and probably 5 o’clock somewhere… Don’t judge!)

Unfortunately, at that exact moment the plane hit turbulence and some of her drink spilled on the lap of the lady seated to her right. It was not a pretty scene. There was a lot of commotion, significant anger, and lots of words needing to be beeped out. It’s the kind of interaction we are, regrettably, too familiar with these days.

Fortunately, another passenger came to the rescue, trying to help clean up the mess that was now seeping into the aisle. Unfortunately, in bending down she accidentally lifted up the tray of the gentleman on the other side of the aisle. It was like a sitcom, but with absolutely no laughter.

The messy dominos of life were now falling. And as it sent his freshly brewed cup of coffee into his lap, the dominos weren’t done, yet. Concerned that he might get burned, the lady with the Bloody Mary actually took what was left of her tomato juice and poured it on his pants.

As a guy who’s experienced actual burns I can appreciate the gesture, but next time let him choose it for himself… and maybe with water, instead!

As the carnage eventually began to subside, I watched this unlucky victim wipe at his hopelessly drenched pants. During a time when many feel they’re entitled to allow little things to infuriate them quickly, he responded in a most surprising way. Although clearly heading to a corporate meeting and badly needing a new pair of pants, a most unexpected expression appeared on his face: a smile.

A flight attendant apologized profusely to him as he looked up from his pants, into her eyes, smiled again, and shared a quote I’ll never forget:

“It’s only coffee… and tomato juice.”

My friends, things will happen this morning and this week completely out of your control. Global pandemics will spread… and the media will cover it. The weather will be hot… or cold. It will rain… or the drought will continue. She’ll be late, or he won’t show. The kids will whine, or the silence will be deafening.

But because of a man with a ruined pair of pants and a smile on his face, we now have a simple, better example on how to respond:

Not to wish that life becomes less messy, but to become wise enough to remember that it’s only coffee… and tomato juice.

Life remains a gift. Let’s choose to act like it. ... See MoreSee Less

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7 days ago

20 years ago Bill Clinton was in office, Mark Zuckerberg was in high school, Amazon was a forest in South America and John Oleary was a single man having dinner with an old friend.

After years of asking Beth out repeatedly, and years of being rejected repeatedly with the same lame excuse (“John, you’re like my brother, I don’t want to ruin our friendship”), I finally had given up pursuing her for my own self interest and finally had surrendered to just simply enjoying our time together. No more pursuing her as a girlfriend or any other motive, I finally, reluctantly, accepted what the relationship was and embraced the times we had together.

It was enough.

In fact, it became more than enough....It was a blast. We became even better friends, spent even more time together, and enjoyed that time even more.

Which is why I was so surprised 20 years ago tonight at dinner when Beth told me she had something to ask me...

She then took a massive sip from her glass of wine....

then a deep breath ...

and told me that her feelings for me had changed. That every time she saw me butterflies would flutter. And she wanted to know if I would go out with her.

I of course responded, “Gross, you’re like a sister to me. I don’t want to ruin our relationship.”

Are you kidding, I drooled out the word “Yes!”

Along with everyone of us over the past two decades, Beth and I have been through significant changes. Unimaginable joy-filled highs...and a few unexpected, painful lows. In other words, life.

But two decades after she asked me out, I remain extremely grateful she chose me.....and although I can’t speak for her, every time I see Beth, the butterflies still flutter. ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

Mary Marantz would have been her family’s third generation of loggers in rural West Virginia; an impoverished life filled with days of hard, dangerous work. But, one choice Mary’s father made sparked a much different path for her: He used what little money he had to buy learning materials to prepare her for school as he saw education as her opportunity to lead a big, beautiful life of her choosing.

Mary joins us today – a Yale University graduate and recent author of the book Dirt: Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful – sharing what it was like to grow up in a deteriorating, single-wide trailer and, more importantly, with a father who would sacrifice it all to ensure she had a bright future.

Today's conversation is beaming with resilience and hope and will inspire you to find comfort and appreciation in your roots.

Listen to #LiveInspired Podcast ep. 288:
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/32harXt
Spotify: spoti.fi/32hYoJk
My website: bit.ly/MaryMarantz ... See MoreSee Less