I believe emotional fitness is vital to the trajectory of your life. If you are good with people you are going to have a better life. 

Recently, an article encouraged me to pull out some of my favorite books on the subject. I reviewed some of the research and discussed it in this short episode. 

I've taken an extreme interest in this subject matter and may be brewing up a new project surrounding this topic. If you enjoy it please share it with someone that might find it helpful. 

When I thought about how I wanted to celebrate 30 awesome years of life I struggled to land on something that felt right. 

We talked about renting a beach house in Charleston, SC. I actually cancelled the initial planning we were doing for this trip. Finances didn't weren't where they needed to be and it just didn't feel right.

 We talked about going to a resort and relaxing.

And then two things happened. My pastor gave a sermon and my buddy Mike told me about his trip to the Grand Canyon. :)

The sermon focused on how every dollar we allocate toward travel should be some type of investment. An investment in our marriage and/or relationships. An investment in our health. An investment into our faith and relationship with Christ. 

Days later my buddy told me about the awe inspiring experience that is the Grand Canyon. One of the most magnificent natural wonders on the planet. He said, "It was surreal. I just wanted to go in it."

At that moment I decided that was what I wanted to do. I still was not sure if we could swing the trip but I voiced the desire to Sweet Megan. A couple days later she surprised me and told me she booked the trip. 

It was at that point I did a little more research and decided I wanted execute a rim to river hike on my birthday. Because why wouldn't you do that on you 30th birthday?

It's around 19 total miles and the elevation from rim to river for this trail is around 5,000 feet. Megan and I did several hours of research and ultimately I left the decision up to her. 

She said, "Let's do it. I want to go to the river."

And so we are going to the river. We should reach it by 10AM CST.

The neat thing...God calls us to be bold. I really don't believe he wants us to stay comfortable. My suspicion (I could be totally wrong) is we will complete this hike and feel so glad we did it. We will be overwhelmed with joy that we decided to take on this challenge together. 

Even better... our marriage will be stronger. Our minds will be incredibly energized by the feat we accomplished. I also have to think that the vast wonder of the canyon will bring us a whole lot closer to its creator. ;)

I could be wrong... but I'm confident this is a good way to spend my birthday. 

Imagine moving over 2,000 miles away from home with only a weeks notice. Now, imagine these other things…

You are the income provider for you family and you won’t be able to work while you are gone.  

You have never been to the area you are moving to.

You know you will be there for at least a month, but it could be longer.  

Your four month old daughter will undergo a major heart operation.

This is exactly what our guest this week is having to do. As we release this episode on (6/11/18) Seth and his family are spending their first full day in Palo Alto, California. Later this week their sweet daughter will have an extensive heart surgery that can only be done at Stanford Children's Health Center.

What emotions would you be feeling? How do you think you would be acting?

I’m not exactly sure how you would respond but this is what I know about out guest.

He was seemingly unphased. Almost grateful. He was unwavering in strength and continued to lead is family well.

This interview happened before Seth found out he would be moving his family across the country. You will be more than inspired by the way he has led his family through the uncertain times. His perspective will change yours.

About a year ago this man offered me a coaching job. He almost convinced me to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota and join him and my great friend Mike McElroy on their staff at Bethel University. 

For Megan and I, moving 10 hours away from family was not something we had ever considered. Pile on the fact that it reallllllly cold up there. All Megan and I had ever know was Southern Illinois but we still went to see if this was the next chapter in our life. 

Coach Johnson made it a really hard decision. He's the type of man that leaves an imprint on your heart when you encounter him. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and isn't shy about the amount of times he might cry in any given conversation.

He has transformed thousands of lives with intention as the head football coach at Bethel University for over 25 years. The fruit of his works is felt by many.  

Bottom line. We need more men like Coach J. Enjoy this episode and share it with someone who might find it valuable or be encouraged by it. 

Purchase a MeaningFull Book for your dad here. www.meaningfullbooks.com

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you were exposed? A time when you realized you needed to raise the bar? 

Our guest today reflects on two of those types of moments. He called them a "mental wake up". He had to make a choice. He could keep carrying on the way he was or choose to be better. 

He chose to be better. For his children. For his wife. For the safety of him and the other police officers he works with. 

Listening to this conversation with Kyle Campbell will help you make the choice to be better the next time you encounter an experience where you don't feel like you measure up. 

You will also learn about:

-His morning routine. 

-The enemies of war and multiple war stories. 

-The emotional aftermath of war.

-The importance of community.

-What he believes is the root cause of problems. 

-The hardest he has ever worked for something.

-His biggest failure moment. 

-A story about a police chase. 

And so much more. 

If you enjoy this episode then you should write a review. Thank you for your continual support. Keep being intentional and keep creating more defining moments with the ones you love.

Did you hear episode #041? This is the second part of my powerful conversation with John Goode. Be sure to go back and listen to last weeks episode if you haven't. 

You will absolutely be inspired by the courage John and Hannah have lived out over the last few years. 

I truly believe character is forged by taking the next step forward after heartache and tragedy. Our guest today has had to courageously take those steps.

A career ending sports injury cut his college football dreams short. The tragic loss of his unborn son shook him to his core. He was angry with God and others. Initially, he never gave himself space to grieve what had happened.

John and Hannah Goode had to learn how to REALLY communicate during this difficult time. They found a way to take the first step forward. And then another, and another. 

Today John courageously shares how him and his wife were able to pull through and rise above this dark time. 

I'm grateful for John and Hannah and I know you will be too. 

Write a review or share this episode!

www.meaningfullbooks.com

I truly believe character is forged by taking the next step forward after heartache and tragedy. Our guest today has had to courageously take those steps.

A career ending sports injury cut his college football dreams short. The tragic loss of his unborn son shook him to his core. He was angry with God and others. Initially, he never gave himself space to grieve what had happened.

John and Hannah Goode had to learn how to REALLY communicate during this difficult time. They found a way to take the first step forward. And then another, and another. 

Today John courageously shares how him and his wife were able to pull through and rise above this dark time. 

I'm grateful for John and Hannah and I know you will be too. 

Write a review or share this episode!

www.meaningfullbooks.com

This woman inspires me more and more every single day. See Episode #039 notes. 

Last chance for the Mothers Day Sale (5/7/18). Use code MOM to save $20. 

www.meaningfullbooks.com

Lorri James is my mother. Episode 039 is a continuation of our MeaningFull Mother's serious. 

She is the reason I am the way I am. If you have found any value from the show you will soon learn were it comes from as you listen to her.

She is strong beyond belief. Please share this episode with someone that needs to hear it. If you feel inclined find a way to make my mom know how much you appreciate her sharing this traumatic time in her life. 

www.meaningfullbooks.com

In this episode of our MeaningFull Mother's series we interview Stephen Franklin. He is one of those people that is always smiling. He has such a positive outlook and happy heart. 

You would never know him and his family went through some pretty challenging times. They were evicted from their home and lived in multiples shelters. The stress on the family caused his mother and father to split. It was a very difficult time.

Picking through expired loaves of bread to avoiding eating the moldy pieces wasn't abnormal. They were grateful to have the food. 

In this inspiring conversation Stephen delves into the strength his mother showed. He reflects on the courage it took for her to keep moving forward. 

It is a story you will not forget. It will change the way you approach your day. 

www.meaningfullbooks.com