Meaningful Mondays - Arrows Out

The Weightlifter of my Life, my Mom

Welcome to another edition of Meaningful Monday with me, Lee Brower. In this episode, I reflect on the significance of Mother's Day, an auspicious celebration of our mothers that goes back to 1908. To honor the occasion, I reminisce about my mother, a woman who played a pivotal role in shaping my life and lifting my spirits.

I remember my mother as a weightlifter, not in the literal sense but metaphorically. She carried the weight of my world on her shoulders, always encouraging, supporting, and elevating me. Throughout this episode, I share two stories from different periods of my life that reflect the positive influence my mother had on me.

The first story dates back to the time when she coaxed me into climbing a tree by holding my hand, showing me the way, and lifting me up. The second story is about our last moment together, where even though she was weak, she managed to extend her strength to me. The hand she held out to me symbolizes how she kept lifting me and continues to do so.

In honor of Mother's Day, I urge you all to reflect on the valuable lessons you've received from your mothers. How can you utilize those teachings to ascend the tree of life? Which piece of advice has given you the strength to accomplish new heights? Let's use this moment to cherish and learn.

Join me next week for another insightful session. Until then, take care and have a great week ahead!

The Worst Place to Fish

Welcome to a brand new episode of Meaningful Monday with Lee Brower. This week, we're delving into our ability to adapt, improve, and most importantly, change. Join Lee as he narrates the exceptional story of 'Big Al,' a man who spent his latter days futilely fishing in a swimming pool. This anecdote serves as a metaphor and a poignant reminder - are we fishing in our swimming pools? Are we investing time and energy in habits, activities, and goals that are no longer meaningful or feasible?

In this episode, Lee underlines the idea that the 'producer of old age is habit.' While good practices indeed strengthen us, mindless repetition of routines, born from carelessness and finally settling into cowardice or inertia, can dangerously narrow our world. The empowering question posed is - Am I fishing in a swimming pool? What habits or routines can you eliminate or refine to break free from the mundanity of everyday life?

Join Lee in exploring how stepping out of our comfort zones fosters growth, vitality, and impactful change. This week's challenge encourages listeners to identify and modify a routine or habit to reignite their innovative thinking and avoid becoming victims of inertia or the ‘producers of old age.’ So, step up, dare to be different, leave that comfort zone, and start leading a truly meaningful existence. Let's embrace the extraordinary in our everyday lives and make this week a truly meaningful one.

Join us next week for another insightful episode of Meaningful Monday. Until then, break those routine chains, widen your perspective, and remember, never go fishing in swimming pools.

A Note from Nick

Welcome to this week's edition of Meaningful Monday. I am your host, Lee Brower, and today’s conversation is about the importance of gratitude and focus and how they play essential roles in making our future more meaningful based on the lessons from our past. In this episode, I question what makes a moment worthy of remembering and how we can make this week meaningful.

I present a thought-provoking query to you: Can you pinpoint a moment in the last week that is worth cherishing? Let's explore this by starting with a clean slate and allowing our gratitude to naturally cascade from there. I share my own experiences, from a helpful cashier to a motivated foundation co-founders I've crossed paths with.

This talk also reflects on the concept of going big – to begin in gratitude. We explore this by thinking of precise moments that are worthy of remembering rather than taking a broad look at the things we have to be thankful for. Also, I share a personal story of my collaborative work in building The Rivers, contrasting a river mindset with a reservoir mindset, and how my late son Nick once used the metaphor of a river to describe challenges in life.

In conclusion, we end the talk with an empowering question we each need to ask ourselves every day for the coming week: "What one distraction can I eliminate from my life so I can stay focused on where I am going?" It involves taking stock of our lives and mindfully minimizing distractions to achieve a focused, purposeful life. Join us next week as we continue to explore these profound thoughts that make life more meaningful. Have a meaningful week.

Fueling a Meaningful Life through Lifelong Learning

Welcome to another edition of Meaningful Monday! In this episode, our host Lee Brower shares insightful content on the transformative power of lifelong learning. He discusses how continuous quest for knowledge not only keeps us intellectually stimulated, but also fuels a vibrant, meaningful life.

Lee brings into focus four vital elements that are crucial for a balanced life; energy, balance, focus, and confidence. He emphasizes that from the time we are born, we are innate learners, but as we age, we often sideline our inherent thirst for new knowledge. He probes into the possible consequences of stopping to learn and advocates for the continuous pursuit of knowledge as a path towards a richer life.

The first key element, energy, is discussed as the driver for action and a direct outcome of clarity. Lee emphasizes that clarity is transformative and a vital contributor to the energy that feeds us. Balance, the second element, is likened to harmonic motion, seen as a requirement in life that facilitates growth and propels us forward. Focus, the third key, necessitates commitment to unique abilities and concentration, to yield efficiency and lasting impact. Finally, confidence is presented as a natural result of clarity, balance, and focus. It attracts greater opportunities and relationships into our lives.

The episode contains actionable insights and thought-provoking questions to ponder, such as - ‘Are there areas in my life that I feel off-balance’, ‘Am I allowing distractions to dilute my energy’ and ‘Which of my choices will make my future self thank me’. Host Lee concludes by challenging his listeners to energize their lives with more clarity, to assess their balance, sharpen their focus, and see how these elements can further bolster their confidence.

Celebrate another week of a meaningful journey to lifelong learning filled with energy, balance, focus, and confidence. Get ready to make this week a great stepping-stone towards a happy, fruitful and meaningful life.

The Power of Kindness and Inclusion -A Nora Moment

In this week's edition of Meaningful Monday, Lee Brower talks about the powerful effect of kind words and actions, and the joy of inclusion. He recounts the inspiring story of a young boy named Jim Abbott who, despite having only one arm, was determined to play baseball as well as anyone with two. Abbott's influencer was his third-grade teacher who was instrumental in boosting his confidence and teaching him the practicalities of life, such as tying a shoe with one hand.

Brower shares his personal experience visiting a trampoline park with his daughter Natalie and her two daughters, one of whom, Sloan, has Spina bifida. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the park, Brower observed a simple yet profoundly heart-warming moment of kindness - an interaction between Sloan and a four-year-old named Nora.

Despite the seeming indifference of others, the perceptive Nora offers kindness and companionship to Sloan, proving that small acts of kindness indeed create waves of goodwill. Brower marvels at the wisdom and compassion of a child that made the handicapped Sloan feel included and loved.

Brower concludes with an empowering question: "Who can we see that normally is invisible to us that we may be able to extend a hand to, a smile to, but make a difference in their lives?" He encourages us to acknowledge the struggles of others and to perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. According to him, these "Nora moments" can have far-reaching effects, potentially impacting generations.

Acknowledging and learning from such acts of kindness, Brower encourages us to live more compassionately and inclusively, suggesting that we too can become catalysts for change and goodwill. He signs off, bidding us to have a meaningful week, and promising more inspiration in the next episode.

Who's Your Hero? The Ripple Effect of Kindness and Positivity

Welcome to this edition of Meaningful Monday with Lee Brower, a widely known sports enthusiast who celebrates the inspiring story of Jim Abbott. Jim Abbott, a major league baseball player for the California Angels, has never let his one-armed condition deter him from achieving his dreams.

Constantly challenged by his disability, Jim faced difficulty in even tying his shoelaces. It was at this juncture that his third-grade teacher, Mr. Clarkson, stepped in. Mr. Clarkson showed him not sympathy but a solution, teaching him how to tie his shoelaces with one hand. This single act of kindness and thoughtfulness brought about a significant change in Jim's life, leading him to break barriers, achieve the deemed impossible, and make it to play in the esteemed Yankee Stadium while demonstrating an unyielding spirit of determination.

What's heartening is that Jim treasures not his staggering accomplishments but the memory of Mr. Clarkson - the teacher who cared enough to make a difference. Today, Jim passes on this kindness by teaching kids that every challenge can indeed be met with a solution.

The crux of the story emphasizes the need for more acts of kindness, no matter how small they may seem. These are the arrows we put out into the world, without even knowing where they might land or how many lives they might touch and transform along the way. So, let's make a difference today, just like Mr. Clarkson did, and let's inspire someone to overcome their challenges and hit their own no-hitter in life. Go out there and keep those kindness ripples moving!

Stay tuned for the next episode of Meaningful Monday. Thank you for joining us!

Creating a Tidal Wave of Change - Let Gratitude be Your Guide

Hello everyone, and welcome to this week's Meaningful Monday with me, Lee Brower. I'm thrilled, as always, to join you at this most wonderful time of the year. It's the perfect time to reflect on the power of gratitude. Its transformative effects permeate our daily lives, often in ways we don't fully appreciate. Whether it's the spirit of renewal from Easter celebrations or the reflections of freedom symbolized by Passover, these occasions are powerful reminders to appreciate and share our gratitude.

Gratitude is often underestimated. A simple 'thank you' has far-reaching effects. The problem lies in our tendency to limit the expression of this powerful emotion, especially in our workplaces despite its potential to nourish our personal and professional relationships, much like a river irrigating our fields. Gratitude fuels productivity, personal growth, and enriches our communities.

A study once showed that by simply expressing gratitude, a group's productivity increased by 50%. This goes to show that gratitude is more than just a courteous gesture - it's a catalyst for growth and self-improvement. Authentic gratitude enhances our virtues such as patience, honesty, self-control, determination, kindness, and compassion.

Leadership and gratitude hold a deep relationship. At the core of authentic gratitude is humility. Effective leadership is contingent upon the ability to express sincere gratitude. Through celebrations like Easter and Passover, we are reminded to appreciate and recognize the strengths of others. It's less about ourselves and more about the collective - less 'me' and more 'we'.

So, I challenge us all to start each day by asking ourselves empowering questions like 'Who can I express gratitude to today?' or 'How can I express gratitude in a unique way today?' Let's create a transformative wave of gratitude and positive change. It's not just about the small ripples we create but the potential of creating a tidal wave of change.

Start your week with the power of gratitude. It is, after all, the willpower of the heart. Let's carry this forward and make a difference in our everyday lives. Join me again next week for another Meaningful Monday. Until then, have a gratifying and transformative week!

Choose to be a Gratitude Truck, Not a Garbage Truck

In this week's installment of Meaningful Monday, Lee Brower explores the difference between being a garbage truck, filled with anger and frustration, versus being a gratitude truck, driving around filled with light and seeds of growth. Brower challenges the listeners to dissect the instinctive reactions they have when confronted with negativity, and urges to strengthen a personal growth-centered perspective, rather than picking up the garbage — disappointments and frustrations — scattered by others. He underscores the omnipresence of 'garbage trucks' in our society, including social media and news agencies, that incessantly spout any forms of negativity.

Brower then shifts the focus onto the idea of being gratitude trucks or garden trucks, laden with seeds, sunlight metaphorically speaking, that are vehicles of enhancing positivity and nurturing growth. Through this discussion, he asserts that gratitude and negativity cannot coexist, emphasizing the power of a single spark of light to pierce the engulfing darkness.

Further, Brower shares some illuminating insights imparted by the legendary Coach John Wooden on pursuing growth. To shed light on these ideas, he cites three principles — focusing on self-improvement, learning from others, and continually striving to be the best version of oneself. He cautions against getting embroiled in what's not within one's control, while accentuating the elements one could nurture and develop.

Seeing life through the lens of gratitude is not only beneficial for ourselves but also has a ripple effect on those around us. Brower challenges his listeners to be gratitude trucks, spreading light and positivity, and not succumbing to the garbage — the negativity and pressures surrounding us.

Becoming the Gardener of Your Own Mind

In this week's episode of Meaningful Monday, we delve into the fascinating world of our brain. Presenter Lee Brower shares mind-blowing facts about this vital organ, such as its weight representing about 2% of your body weight and it using 20% of your total energy and oxygen intake. With 400 miles of blood vessels and 86 billion cells, the brain is an intricate system that stores one apostrophe followed by six and a half miles long of zeros of data bits in a lifetime. While the average person has 50,000 thoughts a day, 95% of our decisions are made in our subconscious brain.

The second brain, the intestines, functions with 100,000 neurons and produces 30 essential neurotransmitters, even producing serotonin, the happy molecule. Nothing ever gets erased from your brain - everything stored in your subconscious lasts a lifetime, even if we can't voluntarily access it.

But how can we best use our subconscious mind? Brower compares it to a flower pot, something that does not decide on what seeds (thoughts) to nourish or hinder. Our conscious mind, however, does have somewhat of a control over what we allow into our subconscious mind. The interesting part? Our subconscious mind can't ignore a question.

This leads us to reconsider how we plant our ‘seeds.’ Turning statements into questions may yield better outcomes. For instance, instead of saying "I need to strengthen the relationship with so-and-so," ask "How can I strengthen the relationship with so-and-so today?"

Brower emphasizes the importance of consciously guarding what we plant in our subconscious. The movies we watch, the language we use, the people we associate with - these all play a crucial part in molding our subconscious, and ultimately, 95% of what we do, say, and think. He encourages us to become the 'gardeners of our minds,' nurturing our conscious thinking and subconscious influences.

The challenge for this week is to consciously think about what we allow to inhabit our subconscious mind. How can we nurture it and make it stronger? Can we be better decision and choice-makers by carefully selecting the seeds we allow in? Brower is keen to hear your thoughts and challenges you to have a meaningful week focusing on the seeds planted in your subconscious mind.

The Profound Power of Preparation

Welcome to this week's episode of Meaningful Monday Message. In today's discussion, I delve into a universal concept that transcends various boundaries - the significant role of preparation. This episode is majorly inspired by the wisdom of the esteemed Coach John Wooden, a man I had the privilege to learn from during the last years of his life. His definition of success revolves around self-assurance and knowing you have done your best to bring out the best version of yourself.

The journey to becoming the best isn't an instant achievement. It is a sum of our continuous past efforts, the work we did yesterday, and the build-up to the present moment. Our past endeavors inform and build our confidence. The essence of this journey isn't just about reaching a destination but also fostering growth and character.

Coach John Wooden never prioritized the victory; instead, he emphasized the journey towards it. According to him, genuine success lies in the peace of mind you gain from being optimally prepared. This ethos of preparation became the underlying theme of a key philosophy Coach Wooden put forth in 1997 - his eight keys for success.

These keys centered around advancing various life aspects like respect, attention to detail, hustle, character, composure, diligence, self-analysis, and hard work. Embracing this preparation mindset implies committing to your journey, not just the destination. It redefines the narrative around the phrase ‘doing your best’, which isn't about the result, but lies in the good position you put yourself in when you show up.

So as we delve further into these principles in the subsequent episodes, remember that good preparation is instrumental in positioning yourself for success. It isn't about accolades or scores, but the satisfaction and self-assurance of knowing you’ve made your best efforts to reach your potential. ‎Remember, preparation is the key to unlocking your best self. Here's to a meaningful week, and see you in the next episode.