It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle What are you most looking forward to this season of summer? Big moments worthy of celebrating, indeed. Yet, as we step into this season of summer and further down the path through life, recognize the gift of the ordinary.
Aiming to serve others, Scott Brickell has spent more than three decades guiding some of my favorite artists to develop successful and long-lasting careers. From successful Christian bands like MercyMe and Switchfoot to solo artists like Phil Wickham, Micah Tyler and Matthew West, Scott's artists have more than fifty number one singles, numerous gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records, and multiple Grammy, Dove, and American Music awards. Today, Scott shares his accidental introduction to the...
If you know my story, you know baseballs carry a special meaning to me. It seems whenever a baseball shows up in my life, it brings with it a lesson to apply. Such was the case earlier this year, when yet another ball landed in my mailbox. This one wasn't off the bat of a major leaguer or signed by a Hall of Fame inductee. Instead, it was signed by a D2 baseball team in northeast Tennessee that you've likely never heard of, but one that I have grown to love. Friends, our successes, our failures ...
Ivan Maisel is a longtime sports journalist for ESPN known for his insightful analysis, compelling storytelling, and in-depth knowledge. With his ability to blend statistical analysis while highlighting the human side of the game and capturing the emotions and experiences of athletes, coaches, and fans, Ivan has earned a loyal following and widespread acclaim. Yet, when his 21-year-old son Max went missing, Ivan soon learned he'd have to accept the incomprehensible. Although not evident, the yea...
"Here men endured that a nation might live." -Herbert Hoover 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.
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 liv...
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. Let me explain.
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 bestsellin...
Jaycen McBride didn't set out to become an example of hope. He didn't set out to become a voice for mental wellness in his school. He didn't long to be seen as an ally for those experiencing personal challenges and wrestling with self-worth. But in quietly struggling with these realities in his own life, he decided he wanted to be there for others who might be struggling in theirs. Let me explain.
As a hospice chaplain, Kerry Egan quickly realized she'd been granted an invaluable chance to witness firsthand what she calls the "spiritual work of dying"—the work of finding or making meaning of one's life. In her years spent working in hospice care, Kerry has listened to patients reflect on feelings of hope and regret, shame and pride, mystery and revelation and secrets held too long. Most of all, though, she listened as her patients talked about love—love for their children and partners and...
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." -William Arthur Ward To all the teachers who step into children's lives daily, regardless the challenges in front of you, we thank you for your effort. For believing in your kids when others may not, loving them when they so desperately need to know that everything will be alright. And thanks for dropping pebbles of encouragement, inspiration, knowledge, passion, and humor into...
Caroline Gaynor is a testament to the power of dedication, compassion, and human connection. As an accomplished triathlete, Caroline dedicates her talents to guiding athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Acting as their eyes during a race, Caroline spends upwards of 16 hours tethered to a blind or visually impaired athlete keeping them safe while swimming, cycling and running (and often isn't credited in the results of the competition!). Today, Caroline shares her journey in completing te...
It can be rare to receive -or more importantly give- meaningful recognition for the important work being done. As we race to our next activity or task, we hurry right past the individuals providing worthy services directly in front of us. Today, rather than waiting to be recognized for something we've done well, let's strive to seek opportunities to acknowledge and encourage someone else. That simple act of being seen and appreciated is certain to elevate their day. And in observing their reacti...
When Stephan Wolfert was 24 years old, he found himself at a crossroad. After serving as a medic and infantry officer in the US Army, Stephan's lifetime of grief and trauma became overwhelming. Drunk and suicidal, Stephan wandered into a random theatre's production of "Richard: III" where his life was transformed when he recognized himself as a misfit like the main character. After choosing to leave the service, Stephan began examining Shakespeare from a military veteran's perspective, working w...
Listening to the radio a couple weeks ago, I came across an interview discussing the 25 recordings the US Library of Congress had selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry this year. Among this list were some familiar sounds like Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," Mariah Carey's omnipresent "All I Want for Christmas is You," John Lennon's "Imagine" and the theme song for the Super Mario Brothers Game- which immediately took me back to many Saturday mornings trying to save Princ...
It's been 24 years since the unimaginable tragedy that took place at Columbine High School in Colorado — one of the deadliest mass shootings at a high school in U.S. history. Thirteen people were killed and 21 were wounded at the hands of two students. Craig Scott is a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting. He was in the library, where ten students were killed, including two of his friends that had hidden next to him under a table. Craig escaped only to learn his sister, Rachel Joy Scot...
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 t...
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 mi...
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...
"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 unconve...
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 profe...
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...
"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...
"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...
My friend, we all go through dark times. The good news is that your life matters, the foundation remains firm, better days are ahead and you are not alone. These aren't platitudes, but transformational truth. You see, light is awesome. It shows us the way. It provides clarity. And yet, it is in enduring the darkness that permits us to actually see the stars and more fully appreciate the light.
After a chaotic childhood, Tara Schuster hustled to appear glamorous, successful and well-adjusted on paper by earning an Ivy League education and securing the role of Vice President at Comedy Central. In her first bestselling book Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies , Tara recounts her years-long journey of re-parenting herself through simple daily rituals. When Tara lost her job, the one on which she had staked her entire adult identity, she found her harshest childhood traumas resurfacing as she ...
After an uncompromisingly courageous 18-year-long battle against ALS, one of the most resilient, impactful and joyful individuals I've ever met died last week. The lessons Augie Nieto taught before dying, though, should be learned and applied by the rest of us as we determine to start more fully living. And while he died last week, he taught those he encountered what real courage, real success and real life looked like in action.
With a love for extreme sports and adventure, Mike spent his childhood taking on any sport that would push his personal limits. After finding his passion in freestyle skiing, Mike began performing professionally at international levels. After numerous injuries, Mike was forced to shift his plan and began coaching the British Columbia Freestyle Ski Team which allowed him to continue skiing the best competition venues imaginable. During a seemingly normal practice, though, life as Mike knew it cha...
