spark day 2 spark

2 days ago

Need a little dose of John O'Leary? Each month, we host a live Zoom for members of our Live Inspired Together community. We always laugh, we sometimes cry and no matter what we go into a new month FIRED UP. Our next meeting is Monday, October 2 at 4 pm CST. We hope you’ll join us to see what it’s all about. To attend, join our Live Inspired Together community and we'll send you the Zoom link! community.liveinspiredtogether.com/registrations/groups/66867 ... See MoreSee Less

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3 days ago

Phil Keoghan is arguably the most traveled television host on the planet. As the host of The Amazing Race on CBS and Paramount+, the multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series where teams of two embark on a trek around the world, Phil has experienced a life full of travel and adventure.Today, fresh off the milestone 35th season premiere of The Amazing Race, Phil joins us to share how he’s been globetrotting since a young boy, how his working-class parents and grandparents inspired his other hit show Tough As Nails on CBS and so much more.My friends, today’s conversation will inspire you to take risks, accept and love all of those around you, and live life to the fullest.Listen to Phil Keoghan on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 606 now!🌎 My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/phil-keoghan/🌎 Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less

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6 days ago

“Sympathy is easy because it comes from a position of power. Empathy is getting down on your knees and looking someone else in the eye, and realizing that you could be them, and that all that separates you is luck.” -Dennis LahaneWhile on my knees next to my fallen dad several years ago, I thought of this quote.Dad has been living with Parkinson’s disease for almost three decades. Over this time, he’s lost the ability to walk, drive and earn. It’s difficult for my dad to speak and lately, becoming more difficult to swallow.And yet today, Dad, seated in his trusty wheelchair, is the perfect embodiment of the joy we all wish we possessed.He engages with those around him. He smiles and laughs easily. He’s grateful for all he has and content with his life. Dad deals with constant pain and is racked with continuous challenges, but simply refuses to be a victim to his circumstances.But even as his son, it’s easy to miss the totality of his difficulties. When I see Dad, he’s got his khaki pants on, shirt tucked in, hair brushed, and smile on. He makes it look easy.But with Mom away for a weekend with her daughters several years ago, I saw firsthand how hard it actually is.Every single movement Dad made was ripe with risk and a chance of pain. Due to a torn rotator cuff, he was unable to use his right arm, which created far greater stress on his left arm. Simple activities many of us take for granted – rising from his bed, sitting up, pivoting into a wheelchair, rolling toward the bathroom, getting dressed – required great effort.I obviously suspected it was hard, but staying with my dad and caring for him in my mother’s absence gave me a totally different understanding.As we prepared for bed, I rolled Dad into the bathroom. I helped him change, wash his face, and use the bathroom. As he stood to transfer, Dad lost his balance, I lost my grip, and we both fell.It wasn’t physically painful for either of us, but it was eye opening for me.There we were, on a cold tile floor. My sweet dad struggling to get back into the chair. His under-powered son trying to help, but also mindful of sore limbs and cautious not to cause greater injury.On our hands and knees, we caught our breath. For a long while, we just stared at each other.No words were spoken. None had to be. And perhaps for the first time since my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis I had sincere, heart-wrenching, eye-opening empathy for what this brave man deals with each day.As his caretaker that evening, though, my heart expanded even more for his primary caretaker, his awesome wife, my remarkable mom.Like my dad, Mom never complains. A mighty reason why their life is as beautiful as it is stems from her steadfast faithfulness, ferocious optimism, and loving stubbornness. She just refuses to give in or to give up. She simply loves life too much for that attitude. And she loves her husband too much.It just took laying on their tile bathroom floor for me to see it clearly.(I was reminded of this experience while interviewing Dr. Sarah Teten Canter on our podcast last week. If you are one of the more than 54 million people responsible for caregiving for a loved one, she’s an expert on positive caregiving and has an amazing life story to share. Check it out here: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/sarah-teten-kanter/)My friends, the best way to really know about someone else is to be humble enough to get down on our knees, meet them where they are, look them in the eye, and realize that we could be them.Sometimes the person we’ll connect more deeply with will be someone we may not look, vote, worship, or act like. Other times, it will be a person you’ve loved your entire life that you’re fortunate enough to call Dad.This is your day. Live Inspired. ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

“Lord Jesus, just be with this young couple as they try to make it home. We know all things are possible with you, so help them get home. Amen”Flying from Houston through New Orleans back home to St Louis. Our first flight was delayed about an hour giving us 12 minutes from when we landed to when the next flight was set to takeoff. Even less by the time our plane parked. The woman one row ahead of us heard us talking about how tight this connection would be. She turned around and said, “You two are going to make this flight. You got this …. because God’s got you.” She then offered the prayer above. My friends, three things here: 1. I didn’t know that lady praying for us. She just cared enough to make our problem hers and then lift us up in prayer. 2. I also didn’t know the lady sitting next to me either! We weren’t a couple! She just happened to be flying up to be with friends for the weekend in St Louis. 3. I type this while being seated. In a middle seat. Out of breath. But on that flight home! So what’s the point?My friends, let’s strive to be a little more like the unlnown, unnamed, beautiful lady in row 7. It costs nothing to be loving and kind to others. But it just might change their day. It might even help them catch a flight. This is your day. Live Inspired. J ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

Each day, more than 54 million Americans are responsible for serving as a caregiver for a loved one.Three decades with Parkinson’s disease has made movement for my father Denny O’Leary nearly impossible. But with the help of another person, guiding him from spot to spot, supporting him in the shower, assisting as he gets dressed, and guiding a wheelchair from room to room, the absolute impossible becomes possible. And this care happens all day, every day.For Dad, the person doing all that work is my mother, Susan O’Leary. She’s remarkable, and she’s not alone.Often caregiving is a burden to bear and a problem to be solved. And yet as an expert in gerontology, Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter is on a mission to make caregiving and care receiving a time to savor and an opportunity for personal growth.Today, Sarah shares the simple activities, conversation-inspiring questions, and self-care practices designed to immerse caregivers and their care partners in gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, love, and awe. Why these five specific emotions? By exuding these positive emotions, it’s been shown to improve health, reduce stress and create meaning in daily life in the relationships of caregivers and care receivers.My friends, this conversation reminds us to embrace the full gift of life at every stage and every age.Listen to Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter on Live Inspired Podcast ep 604 now:My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/sarah-teten-kanter/Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less