Steve Vlk

1 day ago

Although all of us will enjoy celebrating the federal holiday of Memorial Day today, many of us may not know the origin of it. Understanding it reminds us not only of the profound sacrifice others made for our country in the past, but stokes within us greater gratitude for the blessings we have in the present.Memorial Day began in 1868 with the General of the Grand Army of the Republic ordering one day set aside to remember the unimaginable sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. Specifically, it sought to honor the more than 600,000 soldiers who died for their country.On May 30, 1868, volunteers in Arlington National Cemetery placed flowers at the gravesites where thousands were buried during the Civil War. 154 years later, that tradition continues with graves in Arlington and around the county adorned with flags and flowers.Although intended to honor the dead, Memorial Day also serves as a challenge for the living to continue the fight.This day demands we not take our lives, our freedoms, or our country for granted. It is not just a day off to barbeque or toss candy at a parade. It’s not merely a day ushering in the opening of pools around the country. And it’s not just a signpost that school is ending and summer beginning.What made all those beloved rhythms and rituals possible was the incredible, selfless service of generations of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for ours.It’s a fight that is hundreds of years old.And it’s a fight that continues today – just ask the hundreds of thousands of families that have a son, daughter, sister, brother, mom, or dad currently serving.So how do we properly memorialize the past and celebrate the present?My friends, on this day we celebrate those who gave their lives for their nation, let’s pause to lift them up in our prayers today.Let’s enjoy the barbeques, parades, pools and start of summer.But most importantly, let’s also collectively strive to live with such selflessness, gratitude and love as to justify the sacrifices of previous generations.There would be no greater living memorial than that.Today is your day. Live inspired. ... See MoreSee Less

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5 days ago

Dr. Marc Schulz is the author New York Times bestseller The Good Life and associate director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted.Since 1938, this study has tracked three generations of families to uncover what contributed to their happiness surrounding relationships, money, success and what really leads to a happy life. The simple but surprising answer is: relationships. The stronger our relationships, the more likely we are to live happy, satisfying, and overall healthier lives.Today, Marc helps us understand how relationships in all their forms—friendships, romantic partnerships, families, coworkers, tennis partners, book club members, Bible study groups—all contribute to a happier, healthier life.My friends, in a world faced with unprecedented levels of unhappiness and loneliness, Marc empowers us through actionable guidance that it’s never too late to strengthen the relationships you have, and never too late to build new ones.Listen to Live Inspired Podcast ep. 570 now. My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/marc-schulz/Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

Over the weekend, I had the immense honor of delivering the commencement address for the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Saint Louis University. As I watched the graduates cross the stage full excitement, trepidation, nerves and ultimately hope, I couldn’t help but think back to my own graduation. Which let’s be honest, was also anchored in hope—hope that they’d actually let me graduate!But somehow, this high-spirited, but academically unmotivated kid, did graduate college that day.Another miracle appeared the night of graduation. I never dated in grade school. Never dated in high school. And the drought continued during four years of college. But graduation night it rained; the miracle of love appeared.Consider for a moment what she might look like?Just shut your eyes and for a moment consider what love looked like for me that night .You got her in mind?No, think again. Not that kind of love.The love that appeared graduation night wasn’t physical, it wasn’t sexual, it wasn’t the beginning of a lifelong partnership. Instead, it was the incredible generosity of Jack Buck flowing once more into my life.We’d kept up our friendship over the years.In learning that the boy who didn’t have a chance to survive the fire, and certainly had no chance to write again, was now graduating college, Jack dropped off a gift for me.At a dinner celebrating my graduation, surrounded by family, I was handed a beautifully wrapped box with a short note from Jack Buck.The first word read, “Kid.” (At times I wondered if Jack ever knew my freaking name!)The note went on, “This means a lot to me. I hope it means a lot to you, too.”I unwrapped the present, opened the box, looked inside, and saw another baseball. But this one was different. It was heavy. It appeared dark. It seemed to be made out of glass. Stepping away from the table and the darkened dining room, I walked outside, seeking light to see what it was.I opened the door of the restaurant and, as the sun set, pulled the ball out of the box and held it into the light. Glinting off the crystal baseball I saw the engraving “Jack Buck. Baseball Hall of Fame. 1987.”That was the year I was burned.It was also the year Jack was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.This was Jack Buck’s Hall of Fame baseball.I lost my breath and looked back at his note.Kid, this means a lot to me. I hope it means a lot to you, too. This is the baseball I received when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s made of crystal. It’s priceless. Don’t drop it! Your friend, JackI looked again at this priceless gift.Why would Jack Buck give me such a treasured possession?With the ball glimmering before me, I felt woefully undeserving of this gift. This baseball should have been on display in his home. This should have been passed on to the next generation in his family. This should not have been mine.I was a twenty-two-year-old kid. I was scared of my own shadow. I had no idea who I was or what life was all about. I was so overwhelmed by the gift that I took it home that night and buried it in my sock drawer.I didn’t want anyone to see this gift that I felt unworthy of receiving. I knew if someone saw it, they might ask how I got it. Then I might have to tell them how I came to know Jack. Then I might have to share my scars, my story. I wasn’t prepared for that.So, I kept it to myself. I hid it. In darkness. For years.But light always overcomes darkness. Sometimes it just takes time to chase the shadows.When Jack gave me the ball, he had no idea that someday my dad would be stricken with the same ailment Jack battled, Parkinson’s disease. He had no idea my parents would write a book. He had no idea one day the kid would grow up, embrace his scars, and share his story. Jack had no idea that hundreds of thousands of people around the world would be inspired by his gift, his generosity, the way he stepped into my life. He likely had no idea just how bright the light might shine.Jack gave for a much simpler reason.He gave because he could.In doing so, he radically inspired my life.I think of Jack all the time. I think of his voice bringing light into my darkness in the hospital. I think of John O’Leary Day at the ballpark. I think of those sixty baseballs arriving in the mail teaching me to write again. Every time I see his crystal baseball shimmering, reflecting light around the room, I think of how one person can make a difference.I thought of Jack again on Saturday as I addressed the graduates of Saint Louis University. As I reminded them of the power they have to make a difference.And I think of him again as I remind each of you that today is your day. Live Inspired. ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

The only person more surprised that John O'Leary was the commencement speaker at Saint Louis University in 2023... were the professors gathered in the arena this morning who taught me back in the late 1990s!My friends, what a joy it was to celebrate with a graduating class that endured Covid, virtual schooling, ups and downs of relationship and academics and life, but stood today to receive their well-deserved diplomas. Not only was it an honor to encourage them to realize that their lives are precious, priceless gifts that should be used for good, but to also have my wife, four kids, and our parents gathered in the arena, too. As I challenged them, let’s strive to be examples of defiant hope in a marketplace longing for it. This is your day. Go Billikens. Congratulations graduates. And Live Inspired. ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

Jade Warshaw is on top of the world and she’s bringing others up with her. Yet that wasn’t always the case.At 23 years old, Jade and her husband found themselves drowning in almost half a million dollars of debt. Between student loans, credit cards, two cars they couldn’t afford, and a small townhome, these newlyweds were blissfully ignorant about just how big of problem they were in.By taking responsibility for their decisions and using the guidance of legendary eight-time national bestselling author and personal finance and retirement expert Dave Ramsey, they were able to find financial freedom in seven and a half years. I want to repeat that – In just seven and half years, they clawed their way out of a staggering $460,000 in debt.Today, Jade joins us to share her journey to becoming debt-free including the sacrifices they had to make and the old habits they had to shake. Plus, learn the tools and money-management plans to embark on your own path to achieving financial peace.My friends, this episode is not just about finances; it's about confronting those daunting, lurking problems that we often choose to ignore. Whether it's a challenging relationship, a stagnating career, or personal struggles, today's conversation will ignite you to take charge.Listen to Jade on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 568 now.My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/jade-warshaw/Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less