“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

We have a unique relationship with the emotion of fear in our human experience. It is one of the most powerful forces on this planet. Dictators have come to power by manipulating it… Genocides have run their course by the exploitation of it…

Yet the presence of fear has saturated any and all meaningful endeavors of the most influential leaders.

Show me someone who has accomplished anything significant, and I will show you someone who has experienced intense levels of fear.

Fear is powerful.

But do you know what is more powerful?

Our relationship to it. What we do with it.

Whatever affect fear has had on your life to this point, I fully believe that today, you will have an opportunity to flip the script.

Instead of crippling you, it can inspire you.

Instead of silencing you, it can empower you.

Instead of panicking you, it can ground you.

How can you achieve this relationship to fear?

Maybe it’s finally believing that anything worth accomplishing, experiencing in life will feel like running towards your fear.

Not fearing less… but understanding that there is reward on the other side.

“A Word on Awareness”

Have you ever taken inventory what it is that you primarily dwell on?

What do you think about most?

Who do you think about most?

What do your answers to these questions say about your thoughts?

Some of us think about ourselves more than we would like to admit.

Some of us neglect ourselves and only think about what others think about us.

Some dwell on failure, Some on success Some dwell on what’s missing, Some dwell on possessions, some dwell on those closest to them.

Our answers are all different.

These questions are truly a practice in your emotional and mental awareness. It is wise to ask daily…

What am I going to dwell on today? That is me asking you… what are you going to dwell on today?

Here is a truth…

How you are experienced in life is an extension of what you dwell on.

I am saying, even if you are not aware of what you dwell on, the people around you are.

In essence, this is Self-Awareness.

Self-Awareness look good on you.

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“Lack of Activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” -Plato

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual thought.” -John F. Kennedy

Today’s lift is a reminder that whether people call you “too skinny” or “too fat”, whether you love or hate the way you look (I don’t know if I have ever achieved a true love of how I look)…

There are certain themes of your physical fitness that are exponentially more crucial to your wellbeing than a number on a scale.

Our existence is not simply physical… its emotional, mental, and spiritual. These expressions of life cannot be separated from each other. Maybe your physical health is not your number one priority right now. Why? I mean, I understand. Maybe you are taking care of a sick loved one, or are going through a crisis with your child, or maybe you have a great metabolism and there are other things to worry about… completely understandable.

But what if your neglect in this one area is having a great effect on the others?

My encouragement today is, insert one physical activity into your each day. That could be Elite Crossfit, and it could be a short walk. It’s not the calories you burn, it is the habit you are building. Do it again tomorrow, and again the next day.

Watch you whole personhood benefit from this discipline. You can do it. Today is the day.

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“Passion in life… is life. It’s contagious. Get naked and roll around in it.” -Lorii Myers

I’ve observed two kinds of people in this life.

Passionate people.

and

those who are annoyed by passionate people.

(Which just means they are passionate about being cynical)

We all have passion raging inside of us.

Maybe yours is success, maybe yours is creating peace, maybe yours is excellence, or you’re passionate about creating…

Have you identified your passions? Not your hobbies, not your profession… but the things in life that fuel you?

Have you ever felt out of touch with your passion? Lost, maybe? Disconnected from what gives you life?

What is this connection we have to Passion? Why does it feel vulnerable? Why do we keep these things to ourselves? How is it that we can convince ourselves that they are not important?

Here’s my experience…

I have had my passions crushed by the flippant words of others.

I have had my passions crushed by my failures in life.

I have had my passions dampened by my own self-doubt.

We all have.

Here is where todays encouragement can change everything for you.

I love (and hate at the same time) the visual of our quote today. “Passion in life… is life. It’s contagious. Get naked and roll around in it.” -Lorii Myers

Today… think about your true passions in life. Give them space to burn inside you again. Set down the weight of worrying what others think. This world needs the passions you bring.

Take your passion and help someone with it today. The world is waiting on you to develop it and share it.

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Your self-worth is not found inside the minds of other people.

Let me say that again…

Your self-worth is not found inside the minds of other people.

Have you ever bought something unique to your quirky desires and interests? I’m talking spent entirely too much money on an object or experience that brings you joy?

Imagine you have found the prize of your life. The crown jewel of your collection… How much would you spend to get it? What lengths would you go thru to fund this purchase?

I have a baseball glove behind me in my office that I paid almost $400 for back when I played. I am sure you don’t care about the premium rawhide leather as much as I do… but I had my eye on that thing. I started working at my Grandfather’s factory to save money for it.

To me - That glove was completely worth it. Every Penny.

Have you ever made a purchase like this? Maybe an outrageously expensive backstage pass to the concert of a band that you love? Maybe an autographed piece of memorabilia from your favorite movie character? Maybe a luxury jacket created by your favorite designer? Maybe a car that reminds you of Grandpa’s.

Let’s look at the word “Worth”

It’s definition is this - sufficiently good.

Here is a lesson you need to learn today…

No matter how screwed up your past is, no matter the magnitude of the mistakes you have made, the lies you have believed, the people you have hurt… You still have worth. Inside of you is sufficient goodness.

The key to my self-worth is knowing that I am the crown jewel of God’s collection. He knew there needed to be one of me, and one of you. Have you ever thought of yourself like that? You are One of One. Limited Edition. Even though we suck sometimes… God was willing to go bankrupt for you, to spend it all, on you. So you would know the source of your, worth…

It’s true for me, and it’s true for you, too.

Your self-worth is not found inside the minds of other people.

But is intrinsic - given by your creator.

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Say these things out loud or write them down, even.

It is never too late to believe something new about yourself…

Some of the most successful people in the world started later than we think would be ideal. They assumed new identities.

Did you know Vera Wang started making bags at 39? Colonel Sanders started selling fried Chicken in his 60s?

You might not become what these people have become, but at the same time… why not?

You are not too dumb, you are not too short, and you are not too broke.

God has a good work prepared for you to bring into the world (that doesn’t even exist in your stream of consciousness yet.)

It is said that you only get one life. That’s not entirely true… you only get one birth and one death. However many lives you squeeze in between is entirely up to you.

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It is said that you only get one life. I would opine that is not true…you do only get one birth and one death. However — the amount of lives you squeeze in between is those two occasions is entirely up to you.

Have you ever woken up one day and taken inventory of what Identity you have created? Maybe you would say, “I am just an average working person… there is nothing extraordinary about me.” Or maybe “I am mildly successful in a boring but steady field of work…” Maybe you’re a young person and you would say, “My life is underwhelming thus far…”

What Identity are you currently living in?

How you have chosen to respond to the positive and negative experiences of your life?

How you have navigated the challenge of meeting the ever present needs of your life, finances, family, relationships, your future… you name it.

How you have chosen to respond to people who have loved you

How you have chosen to respond to the people that have hurt you…

The whole of these things have created in us might I dare to say… maybe an unintentional identity.

We all find ourselves here. If that is you, don’t worry… because…

It is said that you only get one life. I would opine that is not true…you do only get one birth and one death. However — the amount of lives you squeeze in between is those two occasions is entirely up to you.

You have significance ahead of you.

Your dreams are not dead.

Your life is just beginning.

Choose a new version of you today.

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Have you ever described yourself as an encourager? It’s a great question to ask yourself, really. At the root of it, you’re really asking… Do people feel positively influenced after a conversation, a workday, a meeting… with you? Do has his or her self esteem increased because of time with you?

If not, what is holding you back?

What would happen if today, you realized that the most precious gift you can give is an intentional, thoughtful, uplifting, sentence.

It is more transformational than anything you can give someone. More than a paycheck, more than a “good job”, more than exuding a successful and confident exterior that people will want to emulate…

Imagine this.

“I have always wanted to tell you how everytime I am around you, I learn something new. You are a great teacher.” And then just walk away.

Or

"You are such a gentle person, I feel more peace inside when I work with you… Thank you.” And walk away.

Look them in the eye, with a hopeful glare.

(By the way, you can do this with your kids, your family… No one is off limits)

Let me know how it goes.

My guess is it will be the most impactful thing you give today.

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Who doesn’t love to be encouraged? It seems to be THE thing, the gift we all desire from those closest in proximity to us. You know, encouragement… those words, those mantras, that give your soul oxygen. The truth is… we all need encouraged more than we would like to admit. I truly believe that a singular uplifting word, at an opportune moment can change everything for you. Your perspective, your outlook, your relationships, and even your dreams and your future . This is My Daily Lift Podcast with Kevin Ilich, I'm Kevin, and I am here to lift you up every day. My hope is to encourage you and to challenge you towards a new and better future. I will use whatever I can get my hands on to catapult you towards the most fulfilled and purposed version of “you.” If nothing else… I’d love to be someone in your everyday that lets you know that you are seen, you are loved, and you have a friend in me. To everyone who might like, subscribe, share and review this podcast, thank you in advance for helping uplift up the world around you. For more, visit kevinilich.com or email [email protected]

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