I’ve always believed that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  And sometimes the most difficult part of this is letting go of those relationships that no longer serve you in a positive way.  That’s the topic of this week’s podcast.

Exchange Quotes:

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too?  I thought I was the only one.’” – C.S. Lewis

“A true friend accepts who you are but also helps you become who you should be.” - Unknown

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When people’s words or actions hurt us, it’s natural to want to strike back, both offensively and defensively.  However, when we can remove ourselves from the emotional sting, we often discover that their attack came from a place of their own deep hurt.  We will explore this more in today’s podcast.

Exchange Quotes:

“Keep in mind, hurting people often hurt other people as a result of their own pain.”  Joel S. Osteen

“The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back.” – Ryron Gracie

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Today, November 11, Canadians and many others around the world – generally those countries that are members of the British Commonwealth, but others as well – observe Remembrance Day.  At its core, this is a memorial day to remember the members of the country’s armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

Exchange Quotes:

"In Flanders Fields" - John McCrae

"Ode to Remembrance" - Laurence Binyon

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We, as a society, tend to put a lot of labels and expectations on others based on a small piece of information we may have about someone.  That small bit of knowledge can change how we feel in an instant. However, it’s only a label.  A small piece of the whole.  Like chocolate chips alone don’t make a cookie.  When we buy into these labels, we can create a significant disconnect between our expectations and the reality.  Learn how to change that in this week’s podcast.

Exchange Quotes:

“Labels are for filing.  Labels are for clothing.  Labels are not for people.” – Martina Navratilova

“We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” – Anais Nin

“Replace labeling others by discovering who they are.” – Robert V. Taylor

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One of the greatest ways we can experience self-discovery and find out more about ourselves is to travel alone.  We need to free ourselves of the constant bombardment of outside influences that make up our day-to-day life.  And staying at home and turning off the computer or phone won’t do it.  Because all we have to do is look around and see the laundry or the cleaning or any number of those things on our ‘to do’ lists.  Find out more on this week’s podcast. 

Exchange Quotes:

“Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone, it also pushes you out of the zone of others’ expectations.” – Suzy Strutner

“I don’t travel alone to get away from anyone, I travel alone to restore my equilibrium” – Anonymous

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Milestones are markers of significant events or stages in our lives, development or progress. 

Today we take it for granted much of the time that we can see history being made in real time thanks to the internet.  But 50 years ago it was a big deal when the Apollo 11 moon landing was being reported live on television as it happened.  People around the world remember where they were when they heard the announcements or saw the footage cross their screens.  Why should we celebrate milestones of any kind?

Exchange Quotes:

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong

“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” – Nelson Mandela

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This week we continue our discussion from the last episode about the importance of real connecting – and how we’re missing so many opportunities because of our attachment to technology – in particular our smartphones.  One of the problems we face is that the phones and apps that are created for them (and for our tablets and laptops and computers) – all that technology – are actually created to facilitate addiction.  Making us dependent on that digital world, and in effect, making us tune out from the world right in front of us.  So what can we do about it?  We can unplug or disconnect.  Here’s how.

Exchange Quotes:

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, even you.” – Anne Lamott

“Sometimes we need to disconnect in order to reconnect with what matters.” - Unknown

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This week we look once again at the growing epidemic of loneliness and how creating moments of connection are becoming more and more important - often even the moments we don't expect.  Too often we look for these connections to be life-changing 'A-HA' moments as Oprah coined, rather than recognizing that sometimes even the simplest of interactions can  make a difference.

Exchange Quotes:

“I would rather have one small weird moment of real connection than hours of polite conversation.” – Nanee Hoffman

“Connection and connectedness are other words for community and communion.”  Parker J Palmer

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An Epic Exchange is any interaction where one or more people come away feeling inspired, encouraged, motivated or even transformed and healed in some way.  This could include a conversation with a friend or relative, learning from a speaker on stage, in a podcast or a teacher in a class or workshop, or even something you take away from watching a documentary, movie or other program. It can also be found in music.  And that’s what we’re going to talk about this week – how music matters not only in conveying our stories, but in connecting with them in ways that inspire, encourage, motivate and yes, even heal each one of us. 

Exchange Quotes:

“Like jazz, stories are meant to be heard, to strike resonant chords in our hearts or rumble down deep in our gut.  Soul music.  Melodies and words about what matters.” – Martta Karol

“Music is what feelings sound like out loud.  I sing songs that speak from my heart.  They tell my story, how I feel.” – Georgia Cates

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Often our best ideas and newest paths are borne out of our own desires or needs.  We find something is lacking and we create what we need to fill those gaps. This was the case for today’s guest, Emma Willburn, The Spice Gal.  The creation of her business came from her own goal of finding healthier alternatives for her family – particularly her two boys.

Exchange Quotes:

“What you put into life is what you get out of it.” – Clint Eastwood

“Start where you are.  Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

Exchange Links:

The Spice Gal website and on Facebook

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