Recently, I was reading a review about Laird Hamilton’s life that will be seen in an upcoming documentary called “Take Every Wave.” Laird is a legendary big wave surfing star who, according to the write-up, is as polarizing as he is acclaimed. I know a bit of who he is from magazine articles and his one-time marriage to volleyball star Gabrielle Reece, so in reading the write-up, I was curious about how he pushed himself to set aside his fear of the water and waves and sharks and whatever else lurks in the ocean to become the master of the […]
Encouragement for Your Life
If you can look up…you can get up!
If you can look up…you can get up! I heard this phrase a while back, and it keeps nagging in my mind because, while I am sure it is true, I also know how hard it is to get up when you’re feeling down. But isn’t that what we need to be looking for, the light to find our way, the path to go where we need to go, or the unlocking of the door to our future? Even when it is hard, Yes is the simple answer, and How is another story… I’m not sure what you are going […]
Fearless or Fearful
In a recent show, I was speaking with my guest, and I mentioned that it’s an interesting thing that when you are young–I find, for the most part, that many younger people are fearless—they’ll try anything from working extra hours to get ahead or speaking up in meetings to let their voice be heard, to spending time to learn a new program or system (which granted does seem to come easier to the youngsters) but then I see so many people reach an age where they cross the line from being fearless to fearful for no apparent reason and then […]
Who Is Modeling You?
I would be interested to know who you model your life after if anyone. Most of us grew up, I assume, with a role model that we sometimes eyed with awe and wonder and sometimes with suspicion and regret; either way, we watched someone live their life, and we either said, “I’m going to be like them,” or “I’m never going to be like them,” choosing to model ourselves in a similar fashion but separate enough to maintain our sense of dignity, pride, and individuality. I have always loved the artwork of Norman Rockwell. He seemed to bring to life […]
Never look down on someone unless you’re helping them up
I know that most of us don’t “think” we look down on others, but in our own way, many times we compare and contrast and then make a judgment – whether right or wrong. For many, it is not a matter of arrogance but of what I call Not Thinking – or being so consumed that we don’t stop to realize that as a member of the human race, we have a responsibility to help others…now where does that come from – hopefully from your core – your goodwill – your fundamental life beliefs – and the basic concept of […]
Leaving Greatness in the Graveyard
A while back, I saw a motivational video about pushing through the pain to achieve the goal of greatness. It was a video of famous and not-so-famous athletes who worked hard day after day, night after night, to be the best, understanding that success is a mixture of blood, sweat, and tears. Today, they are recognized sports figures who are greatly rewarded for their abilities. As the video is playing, you can hear voices—sort of sounds like preachers in the background giving the message of determination, power, fight, and success—and there is one section of the video where the words […]
It’s not what happens to you
It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters. Epictetus There is no easy way to say it, and no need to sugar coat the truth that, for many, could be life-changing, so I’ll hit you straight up and remind you that “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” You know this to be true, and yet it is so hard to let offenses, real and imagined, go without a fight or at least a great put-you-in-your-place-amazingly-smart-aleck comment. Recently, I was speaking at a leadership luncheon, and I […]
Is your life a grand adventure?
I’m reading a great book about a lady’s travels throughout the world, and each page takes me to another outdoor café, museum, or cathedral. I have walked alongside this lady as she tries new foods, buys tiles and trinkets, and smells the scent of the city where she and her husband are exploring. I can get lost in a book pretty easily, and I have found that I tend to like books that have an element of education for me and not just a sappy story. I admit I spend a lot of time reading, and it’s a habit I […]
My Goal in Life Is to be Filthy Rich
My goal in life is to be filthy rich. Now, before you wonder what happened to me, hear me out because I am truthful when I tell you that I really do want to be rich. I want to be rich in knowledge, adventure, laughter, health, family, and rich in love. How about you? No doubt you’d like to join me in being rich in all those areas of life, wouldn’t you? Well then, let’s figure out how to do it and be outrageously successful. I don’t think it is all that hard these days to be rich in knowledge–it […]
