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Mike is on a mission to find everyday people who are Delightful... The people I interview have attractive energy and a positive outlook on life, and I want to provide a platform for them to share their journeys and stories with you! I will uncover the life experiences of my guests, which have enabled them to look at life in such an inspiring and delightful way. Is it possible... while in our Darkest hours we are given the tools and gifts, we personally need, to find the light which leads to our greatest Delights?
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
Chad Rawlings is a Husband, Father, and Son of God with a lot of faith and courage. Chad definitely rolls up his sleeves and courageously share's his experience coming home early from a full time Mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints early not only once but twice. Young Men and Women that grow up in The Church of Jesus Christ are taught from the time they can say their first words that they should serve a full time mission if at all possible.
For young men The Church teaches it is a commandment from God and for young women it is not a commandment but it is highly recommended if they feel prompted to go. At times there are young men and young women that choose not to go and as a result they feel ashamed of themselves, have feelings that they are not worthy, and face judgement by others that belong to the faith. This is not due to any doctrinal teaching from the Church itself, rather it stems as a result from Members of the Church being so close in association and proximity to each other. Each year some young men and women disengage from activity in the Church because of this, and they struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and self worth to the point that some want nothing to do with the Church ever again so they don't have to feel those feelings anymore. These are a few of the reasons that Chad's story and courage to share is so important.
Chad grew up talking about serving, wanting to serve, and eager for the day he turned 19. When it came he explains that he felt ready and excited, but as he entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) as a 19 year old young man, he was engulfed with anxiety and fear. Unable to eat, sleep, focus in training classes he began to doubt himself and his ability as he saw the other young men and women surrounding him happy, engaged, and able to learn a new language with what seemed at the time ease. The first time he decided to return home early he made it about 2 days, he was no longer able to work through feeling overwhelmed and like he wasn't good enough so he called home to his Mom and Dad and begged them to come pick him up. His parents were frustrated but they loved him and although they didn't know how to process Chad's decision they wanted their son to feel love and value. One or two weeks after Chad left his mission, he still felt like he really wanted to serve God on a mission. After meeting with his religious leader, the decision was made to try again but this time in hopes that Chad could serve somewhere in the United States and not a foreign land speaking another language. Chad was called to Florida, and was again ready to go feeling passionate again about the opportunity to serve God, but as soon as he stepped into the gates of the MTC and parted with his family, all of the feelings rushed back. He stayed as patient as he could but couldn't sleep, eat, or focus in class and was once again overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy. Chad, again packed up and left the MTC.
Chad shares some very insightful and helpful principles that can help us understand how to show up for people when they feel lost in failure. He talks about the ways God continued to show up for him to help him gain confidence in himself and belief that he could have a successful life full of love, faith, and service to God.
Chad lost no value to God because he didn't stay but he did grow in self confidence because he stayed engaged and faithful to God. Chad is a close acquaintance of mine and I have seen him show up over and over again for people who are lost and feeling worthless. Because of what he has faced in his life I have witnessed his ability to recognize people who need to feel loved and then he shows up for them. Chad, your mission may not be the typical mission, but you have served your mission faithfully. I know that God is pleased with you and you are a hero of mine.
Thursday Dec 17, 2020
Thursday Dec 17, 2020
Brady Bluhm, also known as the "Billy" the Blind boy from the movie "Dumb and Dumber" who was duped by Lloyd (Jim Carey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels), joins me to share his life and faith Journey. Brady, grew up in a family belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints also known as Mormon's, and from a young age loved and believed in the teachings and Doctrines the church teaches. He served a full time mission for two years, a highlight of his life, and after returning home marrying his wife Abbie, and starting a family, he began to question his faith due to some of it's past history and teachings.
Brady, who no longer belongs to the church, shares his journey and faith struggle with us. He is very open about what he went through after personally discovering what he had believed and devoted himself to his whole life wasn't true. He talks about depression that came, how he felt lied to and betrayed, and how he questioned much more than just his faith due to the crumbling foundation of truths he once believed.
After going through many life changing events the past few years Brady speaks about the things he has connected with that have led him to feelings of light, peace, and goodness in his life again. He also talks about the amazing support he received from his wife Abbie. Bitterness does not control Brady's life, and although there are still some painful feelings to overcome from all of this, he has risen above the hatred and bitterness that could hold him hostage and instead he puts his energy into seeking things that bring into his life and that of his family members, Light, Love, Peace and Security. He speaks about the blessings Yoga, the study of Yoga, and relationships he has created as a Yoga instructor have brought into his life.
He talks about the renewed desire and ability to learn from all people of different cultures, religions, races, backgrounds, etc... and that we can learn something from everyone even those we don't agree with. I love Brady and his family, and as I have watched his journey over the past few years, I wanted to learn more because I wanted him to know that no matter what he believes, he and his family are loved by me and my family and they are safe with us, we support them 100% in their search for truth, even though I belong to and fully believe in the doctrines of the church he and his wife left.
Brady, shares so much that can help so many of us understand how to react, respond, and show up with love, when friends and/or family members walk away from something we believe in as absolute. He talks about the pain that comes when people who claimed to love him no longer accepted him due to leaving and how a very only a small number of friends and family members who belong to the church reached out to him after he left.
This is the story of a man's search for light and truth. Brady, could easily and justifiably so be living a life full of bitterness and anger fighting against the church he no longer believes in, but instead devotes his time to goodness, connection, learning and growth. He loves his family and is doing all that he can to help them see and feel connection that surrounds them in this world so that they can live a life of love and light as well.
Brady, you are a great man and a brother of mine always. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your journey with us. I am grateful that Brady would share his story with us on my podcast. I invite you as you listen to Brady, to think about your life and the friends and family members in your circles that may feel unaccepted and ashamed because they believe, behave, or have made choices that are different from yours or the culture that surrounds them. If anyone comes to mind, I encourage you to reach out to them with love, respect, and a desire to learn more about their Journey. We can all do better Loving without boundaries as God Himself does. God is Love -
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Jon starts his journey by sharing the one single truth that has recognized and held onto throughout his entire life, “I am a child of God”. Through it all, good times and bad times, this single truth is what Jon has held onto and relied on to guide him in his decisions and efforts during his life on earth, and in dark times of depression and suicidal thinking. “I am a child of God”, is the message of Hope that has helped Jon not only overcome the odds to achieve the goals he set as a young boy to become an Endodontist professionally, but it is that very Hope that pulled Jon from the darkness of shame and worthlessness on the verge of Suicide, back into the Light.
Jon shares his inspiring story beginning as a young boy growing up in California, Mormon (LDS), in a family of 8. His family did not have much money and at times his Dad and Mom struggled to fill the pantry; however, what they did have... money could not buy, and that was the understanding that all people are Gods children and all people regardless of class, religious background, race, or politics are of infinite worth. Jon shares the way his parents lived and the example that they set of loving all without judgement and working hard doing good things shaped Jon into the man he is today.
At the age of 10, Jon’s father sat his children down and talked to them about his life working late night shifts for a job that he didn’t necessarily want, and that he wanted more for his children, believing a college education should be a goal for each of them. He let them know that he didn’t have the means to pay for their education and inspired them to work towards a scholarship to help pay. Jon took this to heart and graduated high school with over a 4.0 GPA, and an opportunity on the track and field team at a community college in California.
As a high jumper in High school reaching a height of 6’7 he broke records at his school, but he knew that he needed to reach 7’0 to qualify for a scholarship and earn a full ride scholarship to BYU where he dreamed of going. So Jon went to work training hard which led to an opportunity to jump for a small community college, and after qualifying for the state finals he went on to reach a jumping height over 7’2 all while defeating his Nemesis, who he nicknamed “Sloppy Joe”. Jon shares and incredible experience he had with Prayer during His last two jumps which won him the championship and earned him a spot on the BYU Track and Field team with a full ride scholarship. After the match and his incredible experience during his last two jumps and prayer, Jon found a quite place near the stadium and in complete humility gave thanks to God.
During college he met his incredible wife Dorsey and they began a family of their own, things just seemed to be going right for Jon, but during his residency Jon was upended by sudden and unjustified feelings of “Doom”, PTSD from 9/11, and feelings of no personal value, causing Shame and Depression which lead to Suicidal Thinking. Jon talks about how at his “Rock Bottom” not even caring how ending his life would affect his family, that’s when he knew that he needed help. Throughout Jon’s story you will see clearly how God put people in place and like lighthouses leading a ship to shore these people showed up for Jon to say or do something that helped Jon feel love enough to hold onto HOPE. That vey HOPE carried Jon through the Dark and into the Light, and He shares some of the valuable Gifts he received from the experiences during this painful time.
A few years later Jon achieved his Professional goal of becoming an Endodontist, and is now doing all he can to be somebody else’s “Lighthouse” by paying it forward and living in gratitude each day. Jon is the Partner of 3 Endodontist offices in Northern Colorado and Wyoming.
Jon, thank you for sharing your story. You are a hero of mine and have been a lighthouse to me and my family. Thank you for sharing your Light!