Meaningful Mondays - Arrows Out

Creating a Spontaneous Legacy

Welcome to another edition of Meaningful Monday with your host, Lee Brower. In this refreshing episode, Lee discusses the profound concept of a spontaneous legacy, emphasizing that a legacy is not something we leave behind, but rather something we live every day.

This episode begins with a compelling story about Mr. Big, a high-paced businessman, illustrating the domino effect of negativity and the sometimes unseen impact our actions may have on others. Lee uses this narrative to press the importance of the ripple effects we create daily, both negative and positive.

Focusing on the transformative power of positive actions, Lee shares personal experiences about "paying it forward." From surprising people by paying for their meals anonymously to small acts such as placing a quarter in someone else's parking meter, Lee encourages us to create a spontaneous legacy by appreciating what we have and sharing it with others. He emphasizes these relatively small actions, when done without expectation or need for acknowledgment, can trigger a chain of positivity and appreciation.

With this concept of a spontaneous legacy, Lee urges us to create a ripple effect of positivity and kindness that can change thought patterns and inspire others to pass along the joy. He concludes the episode with an inspiring call to action: to live deliberately, meaningfully, and create spontaneous legacies that will continue to live on. Join Lee Brower next Monday for more insights on how to live a meaningful life!

Stop, Look, and Go - Gratitude as Your Guardian Word

In this week's edition of Meaningful Monday, host Lee Brower shares a moment from his childhood where the word 'stop' played a significant role in his life. He shares an incident when he, a curious explorer, strayed too close to a busy highway and the frantic moment his mother experienced realizing he had ventured into a dangerous area. A 'stop' lesson was learned that day, but its value extended into his later life.

Life, as it mimics the busy highways, often goes by in a rush. Brower encourages us to stop and appreciate the moments, for it is in those pauses that we can truly be present. By pausing, we give ourselves a chance to 'stop' and savor the experience of 'here and now'.

The word 'look' goes beyond mere seeing - it implies observing the wonders around us, the comfort of our homes, the smiles of our loved ones, and the miracles that subtly mark our everyday lives.

'Go' is not just about moving forward but doing so full of gratitude. It embarks upon the appreciation of the moments in our lives which are priceless gifts offered to us each day. Brower emphasizes the importance of gratitude, viewing it as a secret ingredient which transforms everyday moments into meaningful memories, connections into bonds, and life itself into a joy-filled masterpiece.

Brower inspires us to stop amidst life's chaos, look around with eyes brimming with gratitude, and equip ourselves with a renewed purpose of joy. Let gratitude be a constant reminder in our pockets of the endless gifts that life has to offer. Embrace every moment with gratitude; for life has presented them to us as beautiful opportunities.

Join us next week for another episode of Meaningful Monday, filled with lessons, reflections, and reminders to make your week even more special.

What would you do?

Welcome to a new edition of Meaningful Monday's with Lee Brower. In this episode, we delve into some insightful content aimed at sparking reflections about our life and the unique journey we each embark on. Lee shares some thought-provoking questions brought forward by Earl Nightingale in his book "Your Success Starts Here". These enquiries challenge us to reflect on whether we're content with our lives as they are, or if we secretly wish to walk in another's shoes.

Lee recounts a touching and impactful story involving his son, Nick, during his battle with cancer, which ties into a poignant quote by Regina Brett. The experience and Brett's quote combine to probe the human tendency to compare our circumstances with those of others. The underlying message is about developing a deeper appreciation for our own unique path in life and finding a sense of contentment and gratitude amidst our struggles.

Lee sets a challenge for listeners to ponder about their burdens and to find within themselves the strength to say, "I would take mine back," in relation to their problems, signifying acceptance and gratitude. Can we live life with constant gratitude regardless of our situation? Hard as it may sound, Lee believes it might indeed prove to be a force that propels faster growth and greater influence on others.

To aid in this journey, Lee shares a personal tradition of starting each day with a moment of gratitude and inspires listeners to do the same. Embrace the challenge. Live life deliberately. Get ready for a meaningful week as you tune into this week's episode of Meaningful Monday.

What if the very thing we most try to avoid is the key to our greatest growth?

Welcome to this week's episode of Meaningful Monday with Lee Brower where we discuss the idea of how stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to great personal growth. This episode challenges the traditional idea we hold about pain and discomfort - far from being solely negative experiences, they can be powerful catalysts for our personal, relational, and societal development.

In our fitness journeys or while competing in sports, we often encounter pain and discomfort along the way. However, we push through it due to the vision of the gain we hope to achieve. We use examples of enduring the pain of going to the dentist or running a marathon to illustrate this idea. Through these examples, we invite listeners to view moments of discomfort as opportunities for growth rather than signals to retreat.

We share an inspiring story about a man who overcame his physical exhaustion to keep pace with an older hiker, motivated by his strong vision of the future. This is a perfect example of how our perspective on pain can transform our experiences and outcomes. The episode urges us to choose our pain wisely because if the vision is strong enough, it can trigger a mindset shift that can bear rewarding fruits in the long run.

Finally, the episode ends with a meaningful question for our listeners - "What discomfort are you willing to endure today for a better tomorrow?" This question invites our listeners to reflect on their current situations and consider where they might avoid discomfort that could lead to personal growth. Embark on this journey with us as we use our shared experiences and wisdom to make our weeks more meaningful.

Enjoy this week's edition of Meaningful Monday with Lee Brower, and do not forget to tune in for our next episode. Wish you all an impactful and meaningful week!

Things I learned from my dinner with Warren Buffett

Join Lee Brower in this week's Meaningful Monday as he shares incredibly valuable insights he gained from a one-on-one interaction with world-renowned billionaire investor, Warren Buffett. Brower reflects on an inspiring lifetime experience where he had the opportunity to sit with Buffett and ferret out the secrets behind his enormous success.

In a fascinating conversation with the Oracle of Omaha, Brower learned about Buffett's unique ability to see opportunities where none apparently exist and his strategy of strongly saying 'no' to anything that doesn't align with his main objectives. Here he discusses how Buffett's secrets are less about financial acumen and more about possessing the right mindset.

Brower shares that Buffett attributes much of his success to building and cherishing his cheerleaders; the leaders within his 62 companies. Brower further reflects on an incidental expression of profound gratitude from Buffett who claimed that one of the reasons behind his astounding success is being born in America.

The discussion takes a deeper dive as Brower shares three practical lessons extracted from the life of Warren Buffett: going to bed smarter every day, associating with people who are better, and investing in oneself. Brower masterfully elaborates on these three tenets, explaining how they can lead a more meaningful life, full of learning, growth, and continuous improvement.

Brower ends the episode with an motivating challenge for listeners: to make the upcoming week a time of intense learning and growth. He encourages the audience to live deliberately and to make life more than just meaningful - to make it truly exceptional. Join us in unleashing your potential and becoming the best version of yourself.

"I don't look to jump over seven-foot bars; I look around for one-foot bars that I can step over."
- Warren Buffett

"You've gotta keep control of your time, and you can't unless you say no. You can't let people set your agenda in life."
- Warren Buffett

"The most important investment you can make is in yourself."
- Warren Buffett

Who Owns Your Past?

In this episode of Meaningful Monday, Lee Brower dives deep into the concept of reflecting upon our past and the experiences that have shaped and defined us. The first essential question he opens with is "Who owns your past?", indicating that oftentimes we consider our pasts as an inherent part of our individual identities. However, the more weighted question he brings up is whether we approach our past as an asset or a liability. The key lies in how we utilize our past experiences and reframing it can transform our past into an impactful asset.

Lee shares an inspiring story about Larry, a hardworking friend who grew from poverty to prosperity. Despite his family's previous financial instability, Larry worked relentlessly to support them, which eventually led to him owning a successful chain of retail stores. Yet, Larry's children were unaware of their father's journey and struggles, thus, they only perceived him as being a workaholic. Upon Lee’s advice, Larry shares his life journey with his children, turning the “under the porch” experience into a valuable narrative, a bridge of understanding between him and his children. This story sheds light on how the past can be transformed into an asset when it is shared and becomes a component of the legacy we leave behind.

Therefore, the podcast concludes with a thought-provoking challenge: Is it more valuable to leave a monetary estate or the capability to make wise decisions based on lived experiences? The Cardinal message is the potency of capturing and capitalizing life experiences and employing them to positively impact the future generations by sharing profound life lessons. This is how one turns the past experiences into an invaluable asset.

What will it take for me to show up as the best version of myself today?

"Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another."
- Angela Duckworth

"Every choice we make today is either a deposit or withdrawal from our future."
 - Lee Brower

"Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality."
- Angela Duckworth

"Hey Hot Rod!" How do you say "I love you" without saying I love you?

What two words are way more important than "I love you"?

"The gift of gratitude does not diminish our own happiness; it amplifies it." The more we give it away, the more we possess.

"Thank you" conveys a level of humility and appreciation that is foundational to strong, enduring relationships. It implies a recognition of the other's contribution to one's life, whether big or small. This can be particularly powerful in the context of enduring wealth, where the focus is not just on material success but on the richness of relationships and gratitude for the non-material aspects of life.

While "I love you" is a powerful expression of emotion, "Thank you" can sometimes speak even louder, carrying with it the weight of gratitude, recognition, and an acknowledgment of the value of others in our lives.

SPICE FIT

What would it take for you to show up as the very best version of you, each day?

What does it mean to be truly SPICE FIT in today's world?

F.I.T.= F - Focused, Integrated, Transformative. Focus on your essentials. Integrate - as you improve one area, you automatically improve the others. Transformation is the result. You are on a constant journey to become yourself.

S.P.I.C.E.

1. Spiritual Focus
2. Physical Focus
3. Innovation Focus
4. Compassion Focus
5. Emotional Focus

5 Facts That Matter Most. (MM 10th Anniversary)

"As we get older, we get smarter, and we slowly understand that whether a clock is worth $30.00 or $300, they both show the exact same time. Whether we drive a $150,000 car or a $2,000 car, we arrive at the same destination."
- Steve Jobs