“If people are good only because they fear punishment, or hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.”

                                                                                             - Albert Einstein

There is a classic story of Beatles legend, John Lennon as a young school-boy.  His teacher had assigned the class an assignment to answer the simple question,

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

As expected, as his classmates shared their answers, typical careers emerged from the imaginations of young primary schoolers of that time, policeman, nurse, teacher, fireman, etc.

It then came time for young John to share, and the teacher asked, “John, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Without hesitation, he promptly answered,

“Happy!”

Legend has it that his teacher was not amused with his answer, even threatening punishment, unless he changed his response.  He declined.  Perhaps this was the beginning of his challenging the status qu...

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

                                                                                  - Mahatma Ghandi

Today, many would say that we are living in a deeply divided society. 

The anger, irritation and resentment that comes from others not seeing the world the way we see it, can permeate our everyday life and is fueled by the constant images and reports we see on news and social medias.

So much of our frustrations come from wanting others to act, speak or think like we do.  If not in the absolute, at least in a willingness to listen to us and consider our point of view in a civil and empathetic way. 

But what about us?  Are we willing to do the same? 

This reminds me of a story.

A young man arrives in a new town knowing nobody.  As he is walking down the street, he sees an elderly gentleman sitting on a rocking chair in front of the general store and asks him

“Hey, old man, I’m new in town. What are the people l...

“In life, finding a voice is speaking and living the truth.  Each of you is an original.  Each of you has a distinctive voice.  When you find it, your story will be told.  You will be heard.”

                                                                                                            - John Grisham

As human beings, I believe one of the most amazing gifts we possess is the power of our voice.

Through it, we can inspire others to dream through the power of oration, lift spirits through the gift of song and open hearts through the whisper of “I love you.”

As a professional speaker, I am very privileged to use my voice regularly to inspire and educate others.  As a martial arts and self-defense master instructor, I use my voice to empower others and teach them to access their own strength through the martial arts Ki-Hap (spirit yell) and using the ferocity of voice to fe...

“Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day.”

                                                                               - John Wooden, coaching legend

Legendary basketball coach, John Wooden is famously quoted for saying – “Make each day your masterpiece.” 

Coach Wooden retired in 1975 as the winning-est coach in college basketball history, leading his UCLA Bruins clubs to an unprecedented ten NCAA college basketball national championships. 

Although his official title was “coach”, Wooden referred to himself as a “teacher”, not only of basketball, but of life. 

The incredible result of his coaching/teaching philosophy is not only seen in his win/loss record or his number of championships, but more importantly in the lives of those who played for him who regularly site him as being the most influential figure in their lives, leading them to experienc...

“(A) process orientation (versus outcome orientation) . . . asks ‘How do I do it?’ instead of ‘Can I do it?’ and this directs attention toward defining the steps that are necessary on the way. This orientation can be characterized in terms of the guiding principle that there are no failures, only ineffective solutions.”

                                                                                   - Ellen Langer, Mindfulness

Think of the last time you faced a major challenge in your life. 

You may be at that place right now as you read this. 

How many times are we caught up in the mind game of whether we can successfully tackle a challenging situation? 

Our minds can go in all types of crazy directions that cause us to delay our actions, bring us upset and ultimately cause us to miss opportunities because we doubt our ability to succeed. 

This is most often rooted in us just focusing on the outcome of the situation and not the process we can move through to tra...

“The smallest change in perspective can transform a life.  What tiny attitude adjustment might turn your world around?”

                                                                                                  - Oprah Winfrey

I continue to be amazed how simple shifts in consciousness can have such a profound impact on our lives.  Despite the label we put on our current conditions or the fear of what is up ahead, our worry and displeasure can simply evaporate when we choose to change our perspective and the see the positives of a given situation. 

Several years ago, I found myself in a position I never dreamed I would encounter – divorced and playing the role of a single dad. 

After a 26-year relationship, the break-up of my marriage had been particularly difficult for me.  In addition to being on my own and no longer in a relationship with a significant other, I also found myself parenting, mostly by myself, our 13-year old son, Jason as my former spouse had moved ...

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

                                                                                             - Mahatma Gandhi

Several years ago, while conducting my Discover Your Breakthrough You board breaking experience workshop here in Denver, I had the honor of meeting an American treasure, the Reverend Harold Middlebrook of Memphis, TN. 

Rev. Middlebrook was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the organizers of the March on Washington in 1963 where Dr. King delivered his I Have a Dream speech, organized voter registration in Selma, AL following the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and was with Dr. King when he was assassinated in Memphis in 1968.

And yes, at 75 years young, he broke his first board with me 😊!

However, Rev. Middlebrook’s board break almost never happened.  When I initially invited him to join us in our breakthrough exercise, he declined saying he would leave it up to the y...

“In the study of truth, we talk often about the power of words.  It is important to put into words only the verbal statements you want to see manifest in your life.  For instance, the word ‘problem’.  You say, ‘I have a problem.’ A much better word to employ when referring to some sort of challenge is ‘project’.  Note what happens when you say, ‘I have this project.’  It makes all the difference in the world.  The word project suggests a positive endeavor of development…..We tackle a project with vigor and imagination and with the conviction that it will be done.”

                                                                                                    - Eric Butterworth

It had often been said that it is not what happens to us that matters, but the meaning we put to it.

Each of us went through our own unique set of challenges in 2023.  For many of us, this was once again, the most challenging of years, with several of our most difficult trials continuing into the new...

“Hope is a start.  But…hope needs action to win victories.”

                                                                      - David J. Schwartz

A new year is upon us.  I don’t know about you, but I am very happy that 2024 has arrived. 

Recently, I was speaking to one of my friends and shared with him that I am usually not overly excited about the beginning of a new year, but this year I certainly am.

It is an understatement to say that 2023, for many of us, has been a difficult year for all of us, and I am personally filled with hope for what lies ahead for the upcoming year.

Hope can serve as an incredibly powerful force in getting us moving and breaking through the barriers we face in difficult times.  It is also true that having a vision of hope for what we want to change, accomplish or experience in a new year ahead is not a new phenomenon. 

In fact, each year, millions of people across the globe will create New Year’s resolutions to make tangible and imp...

"Making a choice that is one percent better or one percent worse seems insignificant in the moment, but over the span of moments that make up a lifetime these choices determine between who you are and who you could be.  Success is a product of daily habits - not once-in-a-lifetime transformations."

                                                                                            - James Clear, author, Atomic Habits

It is once again the beginning of a new year, and many of us have great aspirations for making monumental improvements in various aspects of our lives. 

This is usually the time of year when we set intentions for improving our health (usually in the way of releasing weight or improving our diets and/or exercise habits), our careers, our relationships and/or financial standing.

Having a clear vision on where we want to go is integral to the attainment of any worthy vision.  However, what gets most of us off track is not just lack of clarity for where we...