MM2S018: Season 2, Episode 2
By: Ken Boone On September 19, 2020, I published the first episode of my podcast, Much More to Say. My aim was to talk less and listen more. The timing couldn’t be better since we in the middle of a very heated general election campaign season. Some said the future of our democracy hinged on the outcome of that election. I wasn’t sure how I would proceed. The first podcast I hosted just wrapped production after 45 episodes, and there were two other shows I was involved in that were still going strong. I thought I wouldn’t be able to devote enough time to the new show. In other words, something had to give. Not sure how to launch, I made the decision kick off things with three mini episodes, ranging in duration from three minutes to seven minutes per episode. Trying to be honest while not seeking to further incite the excitable masses, I covered three main points:
The response from listeners was positive, so the show continued. Over the past year, we talked about dealing with the pandemic. We also began to deal with the challenges of returning to a normal existence, especially the types and level of anxiety most are dealing with. Entering the second season of this show, we shift our focus to fulfilling any hopes and dreams that we previously put on the back burner. The lesson learned from the recent past is that the future is both uncertain and not guaranteed. And it’s never too late to strive for a happy outcome in life! Today's Quote “When the solution is simple, God is answering”. - Albert Einstein
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MM2S017: Season 2, Episode 1
By: Ken Boone “Big dreams create the magic that stirs men’s souls to greatness.” Bill McCartney, Former head football coach of the University of Colorado The words “Never too late” were engraved on the inside of my college class ring. That’s because it took me much longer than a minute to get my degree. I used all kinds of excuses to explain the fits and starts of my post-High School academic career. All of them were lame. I just had to make the hard decision to move forward and let everything else fall into place! When I was growing up, it was the opinion of the authority figures in my life that I would make a good preacher. They didn’t consider my feelings. They saw the perceived status of having their young tribe member sitting on the dais, as opposed to standing by the doors handing out bulletins and seating the latecomers. I wanted to do something else but didn’t quite know what that was. So, while searching for “that piece of something I thought would last”, I was called wishy washy! I lacked stick-to-itness, I wasn’t responsible, etc. But I dutifully obeyed, although in a half-hearted way. In fact, that became my pattern. If I didn’t believe in something that I had to do, I would do it half-assed! And it appeared to people that I lacked drive. That I didn’t live and/or work up to my potential. And the critiques went on from there. The root of all my “issues” was that I was a dreamer. My familial superiors that it was a waste of time to devote the amount of time to my pursuits of what-ifs and what-fors. Hence, the push toward the ministry. In my defense, I would make gallant efforts to make those dreams a reality, with mixed results. The one consistent thing was that the perceived failures were always met with lectures about how I couldn’t live my life in a dream world. I know they meant well, but it didn’t help. I vowed that I would never discourage the dreams of my son, my nieces, nephews, or anyone I encountered! I mentioned in a previous episode that I received several self-help books as birthday presents. When I got them, I would leaf through the pages then add them to my small library of self-help books I’ve been collecting over the course of the past 40+ years. Unfortunately, I only have a few of the books that I bought over the years. Most were lost my many relocations over that period. There is one book that I had, and lost, that I am eager to get my hands on. That one is “The Magic of Thinking Big” by the late David J. Schwartz, Ph.D. Thanks to the magic of Amazon, I found it and will seriously consider purchasing it in the next few days! But in the meantime, a couple of Schwartz quotes But for now, I’ll dust off some of the books that I’ll use as the basis of the next few episodes. It’ll be interesting to see if a theme emerges. I don’t know if this thing will work, but let’s this new thing a try! Here are a couple of the books in my library that I will use to support some of the themes in these upcoming episodes: Wisdom Walks – 52 Life Principles for a Significant & Meaningful Journey By Dan Britton & Jimmy Page Here are Ten Principles of Dreaming:
Getting’ Old Ain’t for Wimps By Karen O’Connor This book is a light read with inspirations and stories that (in the author’s words) “warm the heart and tickle the funny bone”. In fact, the book begins with the Ms. O’Connor referencing a plaque she saw in a gift shop that read: DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD… FEW PEOPLE GET THE PRIVILEGE! I'd like to leave you to ponder these questions:
For most of my life, I was told not that I was a dreamer, but that I lived in a dream world. My response to them should have been, “what’s the difference?” I should have embraced my sense of wonder. Of what could be. But I didn’t embrace it openly, and that cost me a lot. It’s ok to dream! Most of the most amazing accomplishments of individuals started with a dream. Many of those dreams were met with skepticism, sometimes even contempt and scorn. But the dreamers became doers is because they persisted, and ultimately prevailed. And in many cases, they didn’t let age be a disqualifier. So, how about you? It’s never too late. And as for my class ring. Did it get me a great job? Absolutely not! In fact, I never had another full-time after graduation. Just a series of long-term contracts and temp assignments. While the pay was fine, those gigs left me feeling detached from the rest of the workforce. However, I still believed in the inscription. So, when the time was right, I sold that ring and bought some recording gear and never looked back! In fact, I’m using some that that gear to make the episode you’re listening to right now! The dream is still alive! Today's Quote “You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” Les Brown, American Author and Motivational Speaker MM2S016: Season 1, Episode 16
By Ken Boone Today's Quote #1 “It’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice that we evolve.” John Cleese, British Actor/Comedian (Monty Python) Are we at a precipice? What the hell is a precipice? If you say that someone is on the edge of a precipice, you mean that they are in a dangerous situation in which they are extremely close to disaster or failure. The king now stands on the brink of a political precipice. Synonyms: cliff, crag, rock face, cliff face. Being both a cynic as well as someone who takes a “glass half full” approach to life, I don’t think we’re quite there yet. However, I do think that there are forces out there wanting us to think that we are. Some of the obvious reasons they want you to believe we’re screwed are that:
I’ve talked at nauseam about their motivations in past episodes, so I won’t go there again. But I will leave this block with a quote from legendary musician George Clinton: “Mind your wants because there is someone that wants you mind”. Words to live by!!!! Are we at a crossroads? What the hell is a crossroads? A crossroads is a place where a choice has to be made, so crossroads usually symbolize moments where decisions will have important consequences but where different choices are still possible. When we find ourselves at a crossroads, and a decision has to be made, it’s in our interest to decide, or choose, wisely. How do we do that? I found a great article of Medioum.com by author Reece Robertson titled "How to Make Big Decisions When You’re at a Crossroads", A simple 2-step process that can help you decide. 1. Make the decision based on what you really want in life You don’t make it based on what’s easiest in the moment or what has the least risk — or even what other people expect of you. Instead, you do what’s right for you and let the consequences follow. You know that the greatest risk is not to try and fail, but to not live a life true to you. Of course, this won’t always be easy nor convenient. In fact, your subconscious will probably try to convince you to take a lesser path. Quoting author Robert Brault, "We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal." It’s wiser to choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong. 2. Invest in that decision Tony Robbins once said, "A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided." A true decision literally means you cut off your options. You invest in that decision and reach your point of no return. You stop thinking about what could happen, and instead see what does happen. You trust your decision and see where it takes you. In other words, trust your gut! To quote author Ryan Holiday, "Scared about making the wrong choice? You won’t ever know if you did. Cognitive dissonance won’t let you." Are we at a precipice or are we at a crossroads? For “Ken the Cynic” to decide, I ask myself what does the messenger want from me?
My response to either or all those things require is to decide. Making that decision means you accept the consequences of that decision (the opportunity costs). No wavering! I must be definitive. These are challenging times. People want us to make decisions that will benefit them as well as impact us, positively or negatively. I ask myself, are they trying to scare me into making a choice, or are they giving me the facts and trusting that I make a decision that is beneficial to all? Are we totally screwed or is there still time to change course? You decide! Today's Quote #2 “Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences.” John C. Maxwell, American Author |
About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
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