Stay ConnectedExpected to die, today he’s inspiring others to truly live.
World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O’Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
One of my favorite poems is titled The Bridge Builder and was written by Will Allen Dromgoole. This poem challenges us to realize we can make a mighty difference regardless of our age. It prompts us to look for opportunities to empower others to achieve greatness in their lives.
And it reminds us that, despite mighty needs in the world today- and there are many- the time has never been better to knock down walls that separate in order to build up bridges that unite.
Today, let's pause and give thanks to those who came, who risked, who built and who invested in us. We certainly could not have "crossed the chasm vast and deep and wide" without them.
My friends, yesterday we celebrated Easter. In the ultimate revelation of love, we rejoiced in the stunning victory over death. And it reminded me of all I had learned by attending three funerals a couple of weeks ago.
At the first funeral, I was reminded to live in such a way that I can die with no regrets. At the second, to endure the unfathomable heartache of loss with honesty, with patience, and with a heart opened to blessings in the midst of the storm. And at the third, that even in the midst of divisive times or at the end a long, successful life, that phone calls reminding others of their value matter to them. And speak volumes about the individuals choosing love.
Craig Groeschel is a senior pastor of Life.Church, one of the largest churches in the world and the creator of the free YouVersion Bible App. As a New York Times bestselling author, Craig writes on a wide variety of topics, including dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, and more.
Today, Craig shares his unlikely journey to discovering his faith, how he remains hopeful in seasons of challenge and how to defy your thinking and change the course of your life for the better, revealing the strategies he's found that help.
Plus, from his just released book, Winning the War in Your Mind for Teens, Craig shares how we can better support our children and young adults by helping them find freedom from the thoughts holding them back.
My friends, if you or someone you love is seeking to break free from the grip of harmful, destructive thinking, this conversation is for you.
"Dad, you're so lucky."
I heard these words while preparing for a business trip. Recognizing the truth within them transformed the way I saw myself that day. Embracing the truth within them will elevate the way you view yourself today. Let me explain.
Rob Angel turned a simple idea and an outrageous dream into a cultural phenomenon.
As a twenty-something year old waiting tables, Rob began his adventure in creating the remarkably successful and beloved board game Pictionary. Beating industry giants Milton Bradley and Mattel at their own game, Rob led Pictionary to selling a staggering 38 million (!!!) games in more than 60 countries.
Today, Rob shares how his intuition, passion and persistence led to creating the legendary game and how unconventional tactics led to unexpected success.
Yet, my friends, this conversation is about so much more than Pictionary being one of the bestselling board games of all time. It's a roadmap to finding success on your own terms, the power of taking the first small step and embracing the challenges that lie ahead.
Growing up, my dream was clear. With absolute confidence, I not only knew that I'd play professional baseball, but that I'd play for my hometown St. Louis Cardinals. It was a certainty.
Until that dream, and the inevitability of obtaining it, was extinguished upon my waking up from one of more than a dozen surgeries after being burned at age nine. With great sadness, my dad shared that during the surgery the doctors were forced to amputate my fingers in order to save my life.
As we journey professionally and personally, we will never understand the miracle of life fully.
Until we allow the unexpected to happen.
rowing up on the east side of Detroit next to a drug house, Martinus Evans had to fight his entire life. In his early 20s when he was faced with the choice "lose weight or die", Martinus vowed to run a marathon (without realizing a marathon is over 26 miles!). Since then, Martinus has run eight marathons and hundreds of other races in his 300-something pound body, been featured in Men's Health and Runner's World and created his own devoted community for those who feel intimidated about running.
Today's conversation is more than taking the next right step in believing in yourself. Join us on a journey of courage, determination, endurance and what it means to love ourselves unconditionally.
And my friends, as we celebrate Martinus' accomplishments, you'll gain encouragement for what you can do in your own life.
"You missed it, Daddy."
Over 19 years of marriage, Beth and I have moved three times. With each home, we've been blessed to have a grand magnolia tree tower over our front yard.
As a guy who travels a lot, I've been to Washington, DC, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I've stared straight up in awe at the redwoods north of San Francisco. I've hiked through the Costa Rican rainforest, basked under Hawaiian palm trees, and heard the whispering magic of aspens in the mountains of Colorado. Yet my favorite tree remains the magnolia. And my favorite experience is playing with my family below one as it blossoms.
Today, I share when I missed the entire show.
"If he were a horse, I'd shoot him."
I'll never forget the sting of hearing those words spoken about me by a physician who didn't see the hope and possibility in a 10-year-old boy hoping to regain the use of his hands.
Weeks later, I found a very different, kind-heart, visionary physician: Dr. Carlos Pappalardo. One who looked into my heart when he spoke with me, treated me as a person, and masterfully blessed me with the ability to again use my hands.
Earlier this week I learned that Dr. Carlos Pappalardo passed away at the age of 93. Today, I want to share four specific encounters with this man, how they each had a profound impact on my life and how we all can learn to live a meaningful, significant, servant-oriented, faithful and generous life.
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