Blog #734: Where Stories Are Born

Many of my weekly blogs are inspired by the
words that land in my email box from readers.

Like this one.

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The email read…

“I’m in sales and feeling uninspired by my career. I think it would be gratifying to do what you do. How did you become a motivational teacher?”

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My response:

Dear Friend…

Thank you for reading my blog.

Thank you for commenting.

Thank you for thinking I’m a teacher.

But…

I don’t consider myself a teacher.

I do consider myself someone who pays attention to the lessons of life…

and who lives and learns.

And then shares.

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So much of who I am…

ALL of who I am, really, has come from what I’ve lived and learned.

Some from books.

Some from people.

Some from nature.

Much from experiences.

I live the lesson.

The lesson becomes me.

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Here’s what I’m talking about.

#1. Calling strangers “friend.”

Many years ago, I was boarding a plane in Las Vegas. I was walking on the runway after the plane was boarded, and there was one other late-boarding passenger walking with me. I recognized him.

I said, “Hello, Jesse.”

He responded, “Hello, friend.”

I liked how the kindness and acknowledgment made me feel…so I embraced the action in my life. When I walk past a stranger or speak with someone I don’t know, I call the person “Friend”…as if that is his/her first name.

I owe that lesson to the late Jesse Jackson.

#2. A deep appreciation for the power of “gratitude.”

I was walking across a barren stretch in Spain and got caught in a terrible, ugly storm. I wanted to cry, but instead my brain told me to say, “Thank you.” After a sane, dual conversation in my head, I DID say, “Thank you.”

Everything about the moment changed. From that point forward, I learned the deep power of feeling sincere “gratitude”…despite what life tosses at me.

#3. The magical power of inspiring others.

I had a high school English teacher who would often tell his class, “You are the cream of the crop.” It personally felt extra inspiring to have somebody say that.

Because of the inspired feeling created in me by Mr. Balaam, I was motivated to walk a life direction that purposefully supported and believed in others.

#4. My love for animals…and the power of kindness.

In a period of loneliness as a boy, a special dog would always sense my emotion and come and sit by my side. Heather taught me to appreciate and love animals with my whole heart.

And…

I have not eaten meat for over 30 years.

#5. Learning to “go the extra mile.”

In 1992, I ran for political office. I lost a nasty election. In the most sincere way I can say this, the experience brutalized my soul. I had to find my deepest self-push to overcome the moment and land on my feet again. I had to learn to “go the extra mile.”

But because of that lesson…

My heart and purpose grew huge in encouraging others to not give up after suffering their own enormous defeats, rejections, and failures.

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There’s a story behind all of what I write.

I learned to be an investor…because of knowing the pain early in life of twice having little money and having to live in a car the first time and a van the second time.

I started walking across countries…because of one book I read.

I learned the power of day-to-day accountability…because of Ben Franklin.

I learned fear is often exaggerated…after walking barefoot across burning coals three times.

I learned the power in being a storyteller…from Paul Harvey and Zig Ziglar.

If I wear even an ounce of wisdom, it’s because I have listened to my life. I have no “teaching” credential, but I do have a “living” credential.

I’ve been made by living.

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Really want to do what I do?

Soak in life. Watch and learn from it.
Love encouraging people.
Accept your service as your greatest compensation.
Be bold in throwing yourself into the world.
Forget you have a fear of speaking. And writing.
Learn to love words.
Know how to motivate yourself.

That’s the path I’ve walked to get here today.

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Ready to walk with me?

Wake up tomorrow morning and ask yourself…

“What am I going to learn today?”

Life will show you your lesson.

Life will write your stories.

I wish you well.

I wish you great things.

With gratitude…

S.

(Audio version)