Will Bowen Audio

JumpStart- Types of People

Mark Twain humorously observed that there are 2 types of people, those who divide people into types and those who do not.

I’ve always thought this was super funny given all the ways we attempt to slice ourselves into categories.

Personally, I HAVE noticed a split in people between those who are security driving and those who are opportunity driven.

People who are security driven tend to be focussed on a return to the “way things were — back when they were good” whereas, people who are opportunity driven want “what’s new, next, and possible."

Understanding our own drives and those of people can help us shape our relationships and our vision for what’s possible.

Today, let’s explore this idea of types more deeply.

JumpStart- Dancing

There’s a great scene in of the first seasons of Saturday Night Live wherein the restaurant serving, “cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers” burns to the ground.

And, John Belushi’s character who loses everything in the fire, is asked, “What do we do now?”

Belushi steps out from behind the charred counter and says with great pride and resolve, “What else? We’re Greeks — we dance!” And, he begins to dance.

Throughout history and around the world, PEOPLE DANCE!

To celebrate, to commiserate, to feel joy, to express pain — all cultures dance and perhaps there’s something for us to learn from that.

Maybe should dance more often!

Consider doing a little jig today and see how you feel!

JumpStart- Faith

A few decades ago something happened to me that test the power of my belief system to the limits and in that test I learned something.

Want to hear an AMAZING story of faith?

Then, check out this video.

Faith is like a super power but it only kicks in when we have absolute belief.

You get to decide what you believe. Begin now to exercise your faith and reap the rewards you deserve.

To You Love God Tuesday- Release 2

Rarely are we ready to let go of things we need to release.

And, until we release them, we can’t make way for something new -- something better.

The pain of loss if often filled with renewed hope and optimism -- but, it takes time.

Consider the things you’ve let go -- either voluntarily or when you had no choice, and how your life has changed as a result.

If we wait until we’re ready, we’d never release the things that no longer serve us.

Learn to let go, and move forward in grace.

JumpStart- Focus

When I was 16, I took driving lessons from a driving instructor.

I’d been driving for over a year and because I’d had a couple of accidents my dad wanted me to undergo training by a professional.

The instructor and I only had one lesson because I only had one problem to solve — and it’s the same problem I and most people struggle with in every area of our lives.

The instructor said, “I want you to hold your hands completely steady on the wheel — don’t swerve.”

I did.

“Now, look ahead but focus more to your left.” The car glided to the left.

“Shift your focus more to the right.” He said. The car slipped silently to the right.

“The problem,” he summarized, “is that you’re wanting to drive straight ahead but you’re focusing everywhere else. And the car goes where you look.”

Question: where in your own life, are you wanting to go one direction but looking somewhere else?

Today, let’s correct course once and for all.

JumpStart - Genius

I just finished reading “Steve Jobs“ by Walter Isaacson.

We all know of Jobs’ huge successes and how he has impacted our lives.

However, it was in his catastrophic failures and how he then turned them back into successes that Jobs’ genius really shines.

For example, Job’s childish insistence that MacBooks have a slot for CDs rather than a CD tray created a huge problem for Apple and that miscalculation ultimately lead to iTunes.

As the saying goes, it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with it.

Learn to do more with the messes you create!

JumpStart - Playing the Game

We all know the saying “Play the cards you’re dealt.”

Unfortunately, as the Buddha said, “To know and not to do is not yet to know.“

Nobody is dealt a perfect hand — ever.

Most people sit and complain about their cards and never play!

It’s as simple as drawing and discarding.

Are you playing strategically to win or did you fold a long time ago?

Your cards are still sitting there — it’s never too late to get back in the game.

JumpStart - The Relationship Experiment

Is your desire to have a relationship that’s:

Loving
Passionate
Happy
Growing
Monogamous
Stimulating
Co-Equal
Storybook perfect in every way?

Great!

Welcome to the experiment.

The Disney-fied ideal of romance that such has been the norm is a myth perpetuated upon children by the very people who know it’s a lie.

Nonetheless, a great relationship is a worthy goal for so many reasons (maybe even world peace—?)

Yep.

Stats show that happily coupled men are less violent and men still dominate the world’s power structure — you do the math.

Today, let’s get real about relationships.

To You; Love God - Release 2

Today’s message could well be titled, “Why do good people have bad parents?”

Having great parents puts you ahead in life – – there’s no denying that.

But why do some parents fall short?

And, if your parents fell short what can you do about it?

Today we explore answers to both of those questions so that you can live your happiest life possible.

JumpStart - Friends

I recently did a Jumpstart on how social media can actually make us less happy – – in fact some reports state that social media is worse on our health than smoking.

When I first began the dabble in Facebook my goal was to have as many “friends“ as possible.

“Friends“ became a measuring stick I used to compare myself either favorably or unfavorably to others.

I finally realized how many real friends I have when I got rid of 95% of my “friends.“

Consider gaining new friends by dumping your “friends.“