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Will Bowen, International bestselling author and founder of A Complaint Free World brings you insights and interviews to more fully enjoy life
Episodes
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
As you look at this final painting in the Voyage of Life series by Thomas Cole, note that the voyager’s face is peaceful and serene while his gaze is upward toward his continuation to the next journey.
Having seen one of the two sets of original paintings of this series by Thomas Cole I can tell that there is something missing in EVERY version of this image on the internet (including the thumbnail you’re seeing now) and, sadly, it’s really the point of this painting.
In today’s JumpStart, I tell what’s missing and why it’s essential.
Hint: read “The Little Prince.”
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
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Website: www.WillBowen.com
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Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Wednesday Aug 05, 2020
Wednesday Aug 05, 2020
Of the four images in this series by Thomas Cole, my favorite is the third: Manhood.
Possibly, it’s because this is the stage in which I now find myself so it’s the one I relate to.
More likely it’s because this is the one painting in the series where all the action takes place and yet -- the drama is not fully necessary.
Although the man in the boat is praying for deliverance from the turbulent waters, he is doing the one thing a person should never do in a small boat regardless of the conditions -- STAND UP.
He prays to God but if he would sit and trust, the waters will become still again.
Let’s discuss how we need to “put away the things of a child” when we become an adult.
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
When I was 12, I knew how I wanted my life to turn out and I could see it so clearly just as this youth can see his dreams in the second Voyage of Life painting by Thomas Cole.
When I was 13 I planned to replace Peter Chris and play the drums for KISS, I was going to marry a Farrah Fawcett (LOL), have several adoring kids, and travel the world with my loving family playing rock-and-roll to sold-out arenas.
This vision hung before me like a vaporous apparition pulling me forward.
You had grand (and perhaps silly) dreams when you were a youngster -- where are they now?
As you can guess, none of my dreams worked out exactly but they served to clarify my goals as an adult.
The challenge is -- most adults have given up on compelling goals and only dream of getting safely through to retirement.
Your dreams aren’t dead, they are asleep waiting for you to revive them and it’s never too late.
Let’s get started now.
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Back in 2003, my class in ministerial school took a trip to Washington, DC and while we were there me and a few friends visited the National Gallery of Art.
One of my friends had once volunteered at the National as a docent so he knew which pieces to show us during our rushed tour.
One series of paintings, The Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole struck such a chord in me that I bought replicas for my home.
Over the next several JumpStarts, we’ll be using these paintings as a framework for our own evolution, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
We begin with the first painting Childhood, which introduces the key components found in each: the voyager, the guardian angel, the river, and the landscape whose seasons change in each painting denoting the seasons of a person’s life.
When you are a child, life stretches out before you like an eternity awaiting your exploration.
You are (supposed to be) safe, protected and provided for and your childlike perspective is precious and vital to your growth.
Today, let’s explore reawakening the newness of your childhood.
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Congressman John Lewis took his fight for civil rights to the other side when he died July 27, 2020 at the age of 80.
Along with Dr. King, Lewis stood for equal rights in our country and was almost killed in the process in Selma, AL.
In Lewis’s memory, let’s consider the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley and how it’s words can inspire us all:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
“I am the captain of my soul” never forget that, for truer words were never spoken.
Thursday Jul 30, 2020
Thursday Jul 30, 2020
Today if two men wanted to duel to resolve an argument, most people would be scandalized.
However during Hamilton’s time, dueling was a sophisticated way of guarding one’s honor and was a common practice.
The Broadway smash musical Hamilton contains a fascinating song with the 10 rules and protocols for dueling.
The interesting thing about dueling is that the very thing that gave rise to its prevalence (defending one’s honor) ultimately became the death (pardon the pun) of dueling.
However, we still carry around the same grudges that caused people to shoot one another and it’s those grudges that should die -- not people.
Today, let’s unpack how a fear of being ostracized from the herd causes people to obsess about their reputation and honor (with the right people -- that is).
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
According to Wikipedia, “The Federalist Papers is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution.”
And according to the lyrics from Hamilton, “The plan was to write a total of twenty-five essays, the work divided evenly among the three men. In the end, they wrote eighty-five essays, in the span of six months. John Jay got sick after writing five. James Madison wrote twenty-nine. Hamilton wrote the other fifty-one!”
While most people avoided responsibility, Hamilton made it his personal mission to see that the U.S. constitution was ratified.
The phrase, “If it is to be then it is up to me” has been in print in the United States for over 60 years and no one is quite sure of the originator of the quote.
However, “If it is to be then it is up to me” was certainly embodied by Alexander Hamilton and we are in need today of individuals who take responsibility for changing the world.
Victims give up; whereas, victors like Hamilton endure.
Which are you a victim or a victor?
If you want your world different it’s up to you.
Let me leave you with one last quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead.
*** Resources ***
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
In the previous JumpStart, we talked about the inspiring song “Wait for it” from Hamilton.
In the song, Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom, Jr.) talks about having to wait for the good things in his life and that, no matter what, he’ll continue to wait for what he wants.
Waiting is difficult for us -- now more than ever and we are ALL waiting on lots of things...
Waiting on a vaccine, waiting for schools to open, waiting for people to stop dying, waiting for the economy to rebound, waiting to get together at concerts and sporting events, waiting to go back to work.
Our lives are on hold and waiting is never easy.
Several years ago I read a quote that said, “Patience isn’t just waiting; it’s waiting with a good attitude.”
And that’s the hard part -- staying in a good mood while we wait.
Let’s look at ways we can truly practice patience starting today.
*** Resources
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
In my (current) favorite song from Hamilton, Aaron Burr sings (paraphrased):
“I am the one thing in life I can control
I am inimitable
I am an original
I'm not falling behind or running late
And if there’s a reason I’m still alive when so many have died then i’m willing to
Wait for it”
GREAT advice for us now living through the Covid 19 quarantine and reopening.
Remember today that you are INIMITABLE which is defined as, “so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy.”
You are the one thing you can control and already you’re so good that you’re unique throughout the world and throughout history.
If THAT doesn’t inspire you, you’re not paying attention ;-D
*** Check Out…
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Friday Jul 24, 2020
For a long time my daughter tried to get me to listen to Hamilton -- not sure why I resisted it, because now I am HOOKED.
If you’ve not seen the show (now streaming on Disney+), it tells the historical story of Alexander Hamilton and his struggle to liberate the colonies.
Hamilton was a poor orphan who rose to greatness and, as most of us know, he died in a duel with Aaron Burr.
I’m psyched to take some of the lyrics from this powerful show and inspire you with some notable quotables over the next several JumpStarts.
Today, we’re going to discuss the breakout song “My Shot” and how it can inspire us all to recognize and apply our unique and often hidden talents.
*** Check Out…
1-to-1 Life Coaching: www.ComplaintFreeCoaching.com
Members-Only, exclusive access to Will: www.ComplaintFreeLife.com
Website: www.WillBowen.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WillBowen
YouTube Channel: www.WillBowenVideo.com
Podcast: www.WillBowenPodcast.com