Thinking about the guests that I have had on the show, I want to speak about something they all have in common. And that is during their troubling, darkest, or most challenging times in their life, they all were able to hold their center. Whether they realized at the time, they were doing this or not, is not important. What is important is that all of them reached deep inside themselves and found the strength to continue on – to get through, and come out the other side with lessons learned, experience gained, grace, and dignity. Each of them held their center.

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In part 2 of Glen's interview, we continue where we left off with reflection on friendships, family, and going through changes in life with peace & grace.

Glen shares with us reflections on life from his 20's, his 30's, the midst of his 40's, and where you sees himself in his 50's.

In part 1 of this interview, Glen speaks to how he has learned to live a mindful life with daily practice. Glen also speaks to finding his own personal power, as a divorced male in his 40's with 2 children and how that has impacted his life, his decisions, and heart.

In part 1 of our conversation with Rodney, we heard his story of making a choice early in life that put him on a path to be an educator. That choice allowed Rodney to understand who he is, where he wanted his place in life to be, and appreciate his life decisions.

In part 2 of this conversation, you will hear how Rodney is helping others and the affects his tribe is having on others.

We also speak about going through the pandemic with purpose and making the choice to take away the Monday blues on Sunday.

And of course, Rodney shares with us his experience with mindfulness, when and how he was introduced to this path, and the ways he brings mindfulness into his life.

It was the spring of 99. Rodney had just graduated a year earlier from a rural high school where prom night had been decorated with extra policing and death threats for someone who wasn't like the majority of the good old boys. He had moved out on his "own" right after graduation and was trying to keep a roof over his head and food in his belly. Rodney was working a few part time jobs and going to a Community College to knock out some of the more affordable baseline credits before transferring to a 4 year university.

In March of 1999 he received a letter in the mail stating he was the runner up for a $1200 scholarship and he had to be enrolled in a 4 year university to receive it. Rodney thought this was his only way out! So – he immediately began the work of applying to 12 of the MANY state universities and colleges and two private ones. Rodney waited and waited as the few short months trudged by. Letter after letter came back telling him that he didn't have enough credits to transfer in successfully.

There was only one school out of all those he had applied to that would accept him on a transfer, thus granting him that glorious $1,200 and the hope of beginning to make a life for himself somewhere beyond the horizon where people like him could live free.

At that time, he had to make a decision on his college major that would impact the rest of his life - and so he quickly chose education.

Then bouts of depression, working full time, and tyring to be comfortable in his own skin while dodging the fiery arrows of conservative evangelical christians became too much for him. In early 2000 Rodney almost became a statistic. Suicidal ideation plagued his thoughts. Once again he took a semester off and lost the remaining 400 dollars of that cherished prize,

However, by that time Rodney had found a counselor who would help him, he had a full time job that was helping to fund the bills, and then the bottomless pot of the mother-load college fund loans all proffered themselves to him!

That doesn't seem like it's been 24 years ago. - but it has. Once he got on the path of early education, got in touch with his true self and said yes to opportunities in life that came to him, Rodney finds himself on a career path that is ideal, also partnering with a charter school to provide their sole Science curriculum for 5th grade, he works part time for Meta with Nourished Teachers, AND maintaining a somewhat peaceful homelife with the husband, the puppy, and their two cats.

In part 2, Ralph's world collapses around him and he struggles with how to handle the sudden change.

What Ralph chose to do is something he learned from his 12-step program - and it is directly linked to living mindfully in the present.

Ralph chose to go through what was happening in his life instead of trying to avoid it, cover it up, or mask it with outside influences.

Ralph chose to stand right in the midst of all the chaos, confusion, hurt and pain - to truly know what was happening in the moment.

And by staying in that discomfort, Ralph was able to clearly see his own strength, his true identity, accept himself for who he is in, and then turn his attention help and love those around him.

Ralph opens up about living a life that he feels was created for him by his controlling and abusive parents who forced him to live within the confines of a religion. Throughout Ralph's life, decisions were made for him by circumstance and others. It wasn't until Ralph turned 59 that he decided to choose himself, his happiness, and take control of his power. Enjoy part 1 of 2 of Ralph's story.

Emory discusses a reflection on the interview with Emma about having a choice in certain times of our lives. This episode is short, but introspective on how and when we make a choice in life.

Emma shares with us her life choices that have influenced the path of her life. Through her suffering, through her choices, she has become even stronger in her power, resilient, and courageous.

Emory continues the discussion of "I Had No Time To Choose What I Chose To Do" with reflection of past decisions and the decision makers.

Let's explore the pivotal point in life - the teenage years. That time in our life is where we started to feel like our thoughts and dreams were ours to own – that time when we started to challenge our parents, their ideals and thoughts.

Emory will take you on a quick reflection exercise in this episode.