Latest / The Growth Mindset Book Podcast: Ideas That Change the Way You Think / The Three G's: God, Gratitude and Giving

Transcript

The Three G's: God, Gratitude and Giving · The Growth Mindset Book Podcast: Ideas That Change the Way You Think

• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: I want to share something with you today that means an awful lot to me.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: And I have a feeling that by the time we're finished with this conversation, you might begin looking at your life a little differently.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: Because what we're going to talk about today is something that I believe can bring you more peace, more happiness, more abundance, and maybe most importantly, a much greater sense of trust that everything in your life doesn't have to be figured out by you.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: I call it the three Gs: God, gratitude, and giving.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I know those sound like three pretty simple words, but the more I've studied them, the more I've come to believe that when you really understand how they work together, they can completely change the way you experience your life.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: And here's what I love about this.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: You don't need to be wealthy to practice these principles.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: You don't need to have everything in your life going perfectly.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: You don't even need to understand exactly how everything is going to work out.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: You can begin right where you are, with whatever circumstances you're facing, and start applying these ideas today.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now, before we get into them, let me ask you something.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever found yourself worrying about something that you had absolutely no control over?
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it was something happening with your family, something going on at work, a financial situation, or maybe somebody you love was going through a difficult time, and you thought about it in the morning, you thought about it in the afternoon, and then you climbed into bed at night, and there it was again.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: The same worry, the same questions, the same uncertainty.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: And here's what I want you to think about.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: Did all that worrying actually change anything?
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: Did it make the situation better?
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Or did it just make you feel worse while you were waiting to see what was going to happen?
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: You see, that's where the first G comes in.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: God.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: And I want to share with you how I look at God.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: Because I think sometimes we make this much more complicated than it needs to be.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: I believe God always has our back.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now, that doesn't mean we're never going to experience difficult times.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't mean that everything is always going to happen exactly the way we want it to happen.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: But I believe we're never alone.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: And I believe that when we learn to trust God, we can stop carrying so much of the weight that we were never meant to carry by ourselves.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: And there's something really important I want you to understand about what I'm saying.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: When I talk about turning things over to God, I'm not talking about turning everything over to God and sitting around doing nothing.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Not at all.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, I believe we have a responsibility to take action, to make decisions, to do the work, and to use the abilities we've been given.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: But there comes a point where we've done what we can do and everything else is outside of our control.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_00: And that's the part I believe we need to give to God.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: Let me give you an example.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine you've got an important opportunity coming up.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you're interviewing for a job you've always wanted, or you're trying to close a big business deal, or you've got a meeting that could really change things for you.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: Well, what can you control?
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: You can prepare, you can study, you can show up on time, you can do your absolute best.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: You can treat people well and communicate clearly.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: But can you control what the other person is thinking?
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: Can you control every circumstance surrounding the decision?
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: Can you guarantee that they're going to choose you?
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: Of course not.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: And yet, isn't that exactly where so much of our worry comes from?
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: We keep trying to control the part that was never ours to control in the first place.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: So here's what I believe we should do.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: We take care of our part and then we turn the rest over to God.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: And I mean really turn it over.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: Because sometimes we say we're turning something over to God, but five minutes later we're worrying about it again.
• 4:53
  SPEAKER_00: We're thinking about what might go wrong, we're imagining all the possibilities, and we're trying to figure out something that we simply don't have enough information to figure out.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Well, did we really turn it over?
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: Not quite, did we?
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: I think about it like carrying a really heavy suitcase.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine you've been carrying this suitcase around all day long.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: It's exhausting.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Your arms are tired, your shoulders hurt, and somebody you trust comes along and says, Here, let me carry that for you.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: And you say, Oh, thank you so much.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: I really appreciate that.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: But then instead of letting go, you keep holding on to the handle.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: Well, what's the point?
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: And I think we do that with God all the time.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: We ask for help, but we won't release our grip.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: Now, here's where this gets really interesting, because I don't believe turning things over to God means we stop paying attention.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: I believe it means we actually begin paying attention in a completely different way.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: Let me explain what I mean.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and the harder you thought about it, the more frustrated you became?
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: You went over the same possibilities again and again, and nothing seemed to make sense.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: Then you finally decided to stop thinking about it.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you went for a walk, took a shower, or just sat quietly for a few minutes.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: And suddenly an idea came to you.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever had that happen?
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: Of course you have.
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_00: I think we've all experienced something like that.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: Well, here's how I look at those moments.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: I believe that when we quiet our minds and stop trying to force every answer, we create room to hear the guidance that God may be offering us.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: And that guidance doesn't always arrive as some enormous, unmistakable event.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's a quiet thought.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's an idea that comes to you when you least expect it.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's a conversation with somebody you happen to meet.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes it's a person who's been in your life for years who suddenly says something that makes you look at your situation in a completely different way.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I can't tell you that every thought that pops into your head is a message from God, and I certainly think we need to use good judgment.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_00: But I do believe that prayer, quiet reflection, and paying attention can help us recognize possibilities we might otherwise overlook.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: And this is something I'd really love for you to begin practicing.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_00: The next time you're facing something difficult, take a piece of paper and ask yourself, what part of this situation is actually within my control?
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_00: Write those things down.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you can make a phone call, maybe you can have a conversation, maybe you can get more information, maybe you can prepare better, apologize to somebody, or take a step you've been putting off.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, wonderful, those are your responsibilities.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: But then look at everything else, the decisions other people make, the timing, the things that haven't happened yet, the circumstances you simply cannot change.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: And imagine saying to God, I've done what I can do, I'm going to trust you with the rest.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: Please guide me toward whatever I need to see, whatever I need to learn, and whatever action I should take next.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_00: Now, think about how different that feels from spending your entire day worrying about things you can't control.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_00: And once you've done that, quiet your mind.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Give yourself a little space.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe take a walk without your phone.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe spend a few minutes sitting quietly in the morning.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe say a prayer before you go to bed.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_00: And then pay attention.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to the ideas that come to you.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to the conversations you're having.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to the opportunities that appear.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: And when something seems meaningful, don't just ignore it.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: Think about it.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: Pray about it.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: And if it makes sense, take action.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: Because I believe God can guide us, but we still have to be willing to move our feet.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_00: And here's another thing I want you to consider.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the path we're being guided down isn't the path we originally had in mind.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever wanted something so badly only to have it not work out?
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: And then months or years later you looked back and realized that something better came along?
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you didn't get the job you wanted, but another opportunity opened up.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe a relationship ended, and later you met somebody who was a much better fit for you.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe a business idea didn't work out, but the experience taught you something that helped you succeed somewhere else.
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I don't believe every painful experience is automatically a gift.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't think we should pretend disappointment doesn't hurt.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_00: But I do believe that sometimes we can't see the entire picture while we're standing in the middle of it.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_00: And that's why trust is so important.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: Because faith to me isn't about knowing exactly what's going to happen.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: It's about believing that even when I don't know what's going to happen, I don't have to face it alone.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_00: And I want you to think about how much peace there is in that idea.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this brings us to the second G, which is gratitude.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: And I have to tell you, this is one of my absolute favorite subjects, because I believe gratitude is one of the simplest ways we can change how we feel at any given moment.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: Let me ask you something.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever been having a really bad day and then somebody did something incredibly kind for you?
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they called just to see how you were doing.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they gave you a compliment you weren't expecting.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they helped you with something.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: Or maybe you simply spent a few minutes with somebody you love.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: And all of a sudden you felt better.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_00: What changed?
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe the problem you were dealing with was still there.
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you still had the same responsibilities, the same challenges, and the same things to figure out.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: But something changed inside of you.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: And that's what I want to talk about.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: I believe gratitude changes the emotional state we're living in.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: And when I talk about getting on a different frequency, that's what I'm talking about.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: Moving ourselves into a state of appreciation, joy, peace, and expectation.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I know people use the word frequency in a lot of different ways.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: I'm using it here to describe the way we feel and the state of mind we're operating from.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: The idea that each goal has a literal physical frequency that we must match isn't something science has established.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: But I absolutely believe there's value in asking ourselves whether we're emotionally living in harmony with the life we're trying to create.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_00: Because think about this.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: If your goal is to have more happiness in your life, but you spend every day complaining about everything that's wrong, how much happiness are you experiencing right now?
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: If your goal is to have more peace, but you spend every waking moment worrying about things you can't control, how peaceful do you feel?
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_00: And if your goal is to create a wonderful life, but you're constantly overlooking the wonderful things that are already part of your life, aren't you missing something pretty important?
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_00: You see, I believe that whatever it is we're working toward, whether it's financial success, a loving relationship, better health, or more freedom, underneath that goal, there's usually a feeling we're hoping to experience.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: Think about it.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_00: Why do you want more money?
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe because you want to feel secure.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe because you want freedom.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe because you want to help the people you love?
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_00: Why do you want a wonderful relationship?
• 13:32
  SPEAKER_00: Because you want to feel loved, connected, appreciated, and happy.
• 13:37
  SPEAKER_00: Why do you want to accomplish something meaningful?
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_00: Because you want to feel proud, fulfilled, excited, or grateful.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_00: Well, here's my question.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_00: What if you could begin experiencing some of those feelings before the goal arrives?
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_00: And that's where gratitude comes in.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_00: Because gratitude gives us a way to feel good about our lives right now, while we're still working toward the things we want.
• 14:05
  SPEAKER_00: And I think that's incredibly important.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_00: Now, when I talk about gratitude, I'm not talking about quickly writing down five things in a notebook, closing it, and moving on with your day.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_00: There's nothing wrong with making a gratitude list.
• 14:20
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's a wonderful place to start, but I want you to go much deeper than that.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to actually feel what you're grateful for.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_00: Let me give you an example.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_00: Let's say you write down, I'm grateful for my family.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, that's wonderful, but let's spend a little more time with that.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_00: Think about somebody in your family whom you love.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Think about their face.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: Think about their smile.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_00: Think about a time they made you laugh.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_00: Think about a moment when they were there for you, or a time when you were able to be there for them.
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now imagine what your life would be like without that person.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: And then think about how fortunate you are that they're part of your life.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_00: Can you feel the difference?
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: That's what I'm talking about.
• 15:13
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to go beyond simply naming the things you're grateful for and begin appreciating what those things actually mean to you.
• 15:22
  SPEAKER_00: And then I want you to thank God for them.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_00: Not because God needs to be reminded of what you've been given, but because I believe there's something beautiful about acknowledging that so much of what makes our lives meaningful is a gift.
• 15:39
  SPEAKER_00: Think about your eyesight for a moment.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_00: If you're able to see, think about what that allows you to experience.
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_00: You can see the faces of the people you love.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: You can watch a beautiful sunset.
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_00: You can look at photographs from years ago and remember wonderful moments in your life.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: When was the last time you genuinely thanked God for your eyesight?
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: Or think about something as simple as being able to hear.
• 16:07
  SPEAKER_00: You can hear music, you can hear somebody laugh, you can hear the voice of someone you love.
• 16:14
  SPEAKER_00: How extraordinary is that?
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_00: And yet, how often do we go through an entire day without giving those things a second thought?
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I realize that not everybody has all of these abilities or circumstances, and some people are facing challenges that are incredibly difficult.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_00: Gratitude isn't about pretending those challenges don't exist.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_00: It's about noticing what remains meaningful and valuable in our lives, even while we're dealing with them.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_00: And here's something else I want you to think about.
• 16:48
  SPEAKER_00: How many things do you have in your life today that you once hoped and prayed you would have?
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe there was a time when you desperately wanted the job you have now.
• 16:59
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you wanted the house you're living in.
• 17:01
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you hoped you'd meet somebody wonderful and build a family.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe there was a time when you wished you could afford some of the things you now barely even notice.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_00: Isn't that interesting?
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_00: Something that once seemed like a dream can eventually become so familiar that we stop appreciating it.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_00: And I think that's something we should all be careful about.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_00: Because I don't want to become so focused on the next thing I want that I forget to appreciate the things I already have.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't want that for you either.
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_00: So here's something I'd love for you to try.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_00: Tomorrow morning, before you reach for your phone, before you turn on the news, before you begin thinking about everything you've got to do, take a few minutes and just thank God.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: Thank God for another day.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_00: Thank God for the people in your life.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_00: Thank God for the opportunities you've been given.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_00: Thank God for the things that make you smile.
• 18:01
  SPEAKER_00: Thank God for the little comforts and conveniences that you might normally take for granted.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_00: And don't rush.
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_00: Pick one thing and really think about it.
• 18:12
  SPEAKER_00: Allow yourself to feel the appreciation.
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_00: And then pick another.
• 18:18
  SPEAKER_00: And another.
• 18:19
  SPEAKER_00: And just notice how you begin to feel.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_00: Because I believe that when you make gratitude a genuine daily practice, you begin to change the way you experience the world.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_00: You start noticing things you might have overlooked.
• 18:34
  SPEAKER_00: You begin appreciating people more.
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_00: You become more aware of opportunities and blessings that were there all along.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_00: And something else happens too.
• 18:44
  SPEAKER_00: You begin to realize that even while you're working toward a better tomorrow, there's an awful lot to love about today.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_00: Now, let me connect gratitude back to God for a moment, because I think these first two Gs work beautifully together.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_00: When I turn something over to God, I'm practicing trust.
• 19:05
  SPEAKER_00: I'm saying I don't have to control everything.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_00: And when I practice gratitude, I'm reminding myself of all the things I already have to be thankful for.
• 19:17
  SPEAKER_00: So instead of spending my day consumed by what might go wrong, I can begin spending more time appreciating what's right and trusting that I can handle whatever comes next with God's help.
• 19:29
  SPEAKER_00: Doesn't that sound like a much more peaceful way to live?
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_00: And now we come to the third G, which is giving.
• 19:38
  SPEAKER_00: And I have to tell you, I absolutely love this one because I believe giving is one of the most powerful ways we can begin experiencing the very things we want more of in our own lives.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_00: Here's the principle.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_00: Whatever you want more of in your life, begin looking for ways to give it to somebody else.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now think about that.
• 20:01
  SPEAKER_00: If you want more love in your life, go out and give love.
• 20:06
  SPEAKER_00: If you want more happiness, look for ways to make somebody else happy.
• 20:11
  SPEAKER_00: If you want more peace, become somebody who brings peace into the lives of others.
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_00: And if you want more financial abundance, look for ways to be generous with what you have and create something valuable for other people.
• 20:27
  SPEAKER_00: Now I want to explain why I think this is so important, because there's something really beautiful about what happens when we begin living this way.
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_00: Let's start with love.
• 20:39
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine somebody who feels like there's not enough love in their life.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they feel unappreciated, maybe they feel lonely, maybe they wish the people around them were more affectionate or more thoughtful.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: Well, what do you think would happen if that person began looking for ways to express more love?
• 21:00
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they call somebody they haven't spoken to in a while.
• 21:04
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they tell their spouse how much they appreciate them.
• 21:08
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they spend a little more time listening to their children.
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they do something kind for somebody without expecting anything in return.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_00: Now, here's my question.
• 21:20
  SPEAKER_00: How do you think that person is going to feel?
• 21:23
  SPEAKER_00: Probably pretty good, right?
• 21:26
  SPEAKER_00: And how might the people around them respond?
• 21:30
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe with more warmth, maybe with more appreciation, maybe with more love.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_00: Now, does that mean everybody you love is automatically going to love you back in exactly the way you want?
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_00: Of course not.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_00: We can't control other people.
• 21:47
  SPEAKER_00: But here's what we can control.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_00: We can control how much love we choose to give.
• 21:54
  SPEAKER_00: And I think there's something incredibly freeing about that.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_00: Because instead of spending our lives waiting for somebody else to give us the feeling we're looking for, we can begin creating opportunities to experience that feeling through what we give.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's talk about happiness.
• 22:14
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever done something really nice for somebody and found yourself feeling happier afterward?
• 22:21
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you surprised somebody with a gift.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you helped a friend who was having a difficult day.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you paid for somebody's coffee or simply took a few minutes to encourage.
• 22:33
  SPEAKER_00: Somebody who needed it.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_00: And afterward, you felt wonderful.
• 22:38
  SPEAKER_00: Well, think about that.
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_00: You wanted to experience happiness, and you created happiness by giving it to somebody else.
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_00: Isn't that a beautiful thing?
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_00: And here's what I find especially interesting.
• 22:53
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the person doing the giving ends up feeling just as good as the person receiving.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe even better.
• 23:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, let me give you another example.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine you're walking into a store and you see somebody who looks like they're having a really difficult day.
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they're tired, maybe they're frustrated, maybe they're carrying something that you know absolutely nothing about.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_00: And you take just a moment to smile, look them in the eye, and say something kind.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you tell them you appreciate what they're doing.
• 23:30
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you compliment them.
• 23:32
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you simply treat them with a little more patience and understanding than they've been receiving from everybody else.
• 23:39
  SPEAKER_00: Now, you might think that's a pretty small thing, but how do you know?
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_00: How do you know what kind of day that person has been having?
• 23:49
  SPEAKER_00: How do you know what they're going through?
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: How do you know whether that little moment of kindness might be exactly what they needed?
• 23:58
  SPEAKER_00: You don't.
• 23:59
  SPEAKER_00: And that's what I love about giving.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_00: You never really know how far the good you put into the world might travel.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's talk about money because I think this is where some people get a little uncomfortable.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_00: If you want more money in your life, I believe it's important to develop a generous spirit.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't mean you should give away money you need to pay your bills or put yourself in a difficult financial position.
• 24:28
  SPEAKER_00: That's not what I'm talking about.
• 24:30
  SPEAKER_00: I'm talking about becoming somebody who looks for opportunities to help others with whatever resources you can responsibly share.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you make a donation to a cause you believe in.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you help somebody who's going through a difficult time.
• 24:46
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you leave an extra generous tip for somebody who provided wonderful service.
• 24:51
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you support a local organization that's doing something meaningful in your community.
• 24:57
  SPEAKER_00: And here's something I want you to consider.
• 25:00
  SPEAKER_00: When you give from a place of genuine generosity rather than fear or obligation, what does that say about the way you're choosing to live?
• 25:09
  SPEAKER_00: You're making a decision that you have something valuable to contribute.
• 25:14
  SPEAKER_00: And I believe that can change your relationship with money.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I don't believe giving somebody$10 guarantees that$100 is going to appear in your bank account tomorrow.
• 25:27
  SPEAKER_00: Giving isn't a vending machine where you put something in and demand a particular reward.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_00: But I do believe that when we develop the habit of giving, we begin living with a greater sense of abundance, connection, and purpose.
• 25:42
  SPEAKER_00: And if you think about business for a moment, there's another wonderful lesson here.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_00: How do successful businesses create income?
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_00: They provide something of value.
• 25:55
  SPEAKER_00: They help somebody solve a problem.
• 25:57
  SPEAKER_00: They offer a product or service that makes somebody's life better.
• 26:01
  SPEAKER_00: They give people something they're willing to pay for.
• 26:05
  SPEAKER_00: Now isn't that interesting?
• 26:07
  SPEAKER_00: The more value you can create for others, the more opportunities you may have to create financial success for yourself.
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_00: So even from a practical business standpoint, there's something very powerful about asking, how can I give more value?
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_00: Instead of always asking, how can I get more?
• 26:28
  SPEAKER_00: Now let me ask you something.
• 26:31
  SPEAKER_00: What if you started every morning with a simple question?
• 26:36
  SPEAKER_00: Who can I help today?
• 26:38
  SPEAKER_00: Think about how that might change the way you approach your day.
• 26:42
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you send somebody an encouraging message.
• 26:45
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you introduce two people who could benefit from knowing each other.
• 26:49
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you share something you've learned that could help somebody solve a problem.
• 26:54
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you simply listen to somebody who needs to be heard.
• 26:58
  SPEAKER_00: You don't need to be wealthy to give.
• 27:01
  SPEAKER_00: You don't need to have a special title.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_00: And you certainly don't need to wait until your own life is perfect.
• 27:10
  SPEAKER_00: You can give kindness, you can give encouragement, you can give your attention, you can give your time, you can give your knowledge, you can give somebody a reason to smile.
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_00: And those things can be incredibly valuable.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_00: Now I want to tell you something else about giving that I think is really important.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_00: Give without keeping score.
• 27:35
  SPEAKER_00: I think sometimes people hear the phrase, give and you shall receive, and begin treating giving like a transaction.
• 27:43
  SPEAKER_00: They think, okay, if I do something nice for this person, what am I going to get back?
• 27:50
  SPEAKER_00: But that's not the spirit I'm talking about.
• 27:53
  SPEAKER_00: I believe we should give because it's the right thing to do, because it helps somebody, because it makes the world a little better.
• 28:02
  SPEAKER_00: And I believe that when we live that way, we often receive wonderful things in return, although not always from the same person, not always in the same form, and not necessarily on the timetable we imagined.
• 28:17
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes what we receive is a new friendship, sometimes it's an opportunity, sometimes it's the satisfaction of knowing we helped somebody.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's simply the wonderful feeling that comes from making another person's day better.
• 28:33
  SPEAKER_00: And I think those are all beautiful things to receive.
• 28:37
  SPEAKER_00: Now, there's something I want you to notice about these three Gs, because I don't think they're three separate ideas that just happen to sound good together.
• 28:47
  SPEAKER_00: I believe they support one another.
• 28:49
  SPEAKER_00: Think about it.
• 28:51
  SPEAKER_00: When I trust God with the things I can't control, I begin releasing some of the worry and fear I've been carrying around.
• 28:59
  SPEAKER_00: And when I'm not spending so much time worrying, I have more room to notice the wonderful things in my life.
• 29:06
  SPEAKER_00: That naturally leads me toward gratitude.
• 29:09
  SPEAKER_00: And when I'm feeling grateful, when I'm appreciating what I have and feeling good about my life, what do you think I'm more likely to do?
• 29:18
  SPEAKER_00: I'm more likely to be kind.
• 29:20
  SPEAKER_00: I'm more likely to encourage somebody.
• 29:29
  SPEAKER_00: And that leads me toward giving.
• 29:32
  SPEAKER_00: Now, here's where it gets really beautiful.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_00: When I give to somebody else, what happens?
• 29:39
  SPEAKER_00: I often feel even more grateful.
• 29:43
  SPEAKER_00: I'm reminded that I have something meaningful to offer.
• 29:46
  SPEAKER_00: I'm reminded that I can make a difference.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes I get to see how one small act of kindness can brighten another person's day.
• 29:56
  SPEAKER_00: And that strengthens my faith because I begin seeing more and more of the good that's possible in the world.
• 30:04
  SPEAKER_00: Do you see how these ideas work together?
• 30:07
  SPEAKER_00: God helps me trust.
• 30:10
  SPEAKER_00: Gratitude helps me appreciate, and giving helps me share.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_00: And the more I practice all three, the more I begin living in a way that feels peaceful, meaningful, and connected to something bigger than myself.
• 30:26
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I want you to imagine something with me.
• 30:29
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and before you do anything else, you spend a few minutes talking to God.
• 30:38
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you say, thank you for another day.
• 30:41
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the people in my life.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the opportunities I have.
• 30:46
  SPEAKER_00: Please help me recognize what I need to do today and give me the wisdom to release the things I can't control.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_00: Then you spend a few minutes really appreciating the gifts in your life.
• 30:59
  SPEAKER_00: You think about somebody you love.
• 31:02
  SPEAKER_00: You think about something wonderful you've experienced, you think about something you're looking forward to, and you allow yourself to feel grateful.
• 31:12
  SPEAKER_00: Then, before you begin your day, you ask yourself one more question.
• 31:18
  SPEAKER_00: Who can I help today?
• 31:20
  SPEAKER_00: Now think about that.
• 31:23
  SPEAKER_00: Before you've checked your email, before you've watched the news, before you've begun worrying about everything on your calendar, you've already spent time strengthening your faith, practicing gratitude, and thinking about how you can make somebody else's life better.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_00: How do you think you're going to feel as you begin your day?
• 31:43
  SPEAKER_00: And how might that influence the way you treat people, the decisions you make, and the opportunities you notice?
• 31:51
  SPEAKER_00: I think it could make a wonderful difference.
• 31:54
  SPEAKER_00: And here's the best part.
• 31:56
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to wait for anything to change in your life before you begin.
• 32:01
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to wait until you have more money to be generous.
• 32:06
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to wait until all your problems are solved to practice gratitude.
• 32:11
  SPEAKER_00: And you don't have to wait until you understand exactly how everything is going to work out before you begin trusting God.
• 32:20
  SPEAKER_00: You can begin today, right where you are.
• 32:24
  SPEAKER_00: Now, before we finish, I want to share one more thought with you, because I think this might be the most important part of our entire conversation.
• 32:34
  SPEAKER_00: So many of us spend our lives believing that once we get what we want, then we'll finally feel the way we want to feel.
• 32:43
  SPEAKER_00: Once I have more money, I'll feel secure.
• 32:46
  SPEAKER_00: Once I accomplish that goal, I'll feel happy.
• 32:51
  SPEAKER_00: Once I get through this difficult situation, I'll feel peaceful.
• 32:56
  SPEAKER_00: Once everything works out, then I'll be grateful.
• 33:00
  SPEAKER_00: But what if we've got some of that backward?
• 33:03
  SPEAKER_00: What if we could begin experiencing more peace by trusting God today?
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_00: What if we could begin experiencing more happiness by practicing gratitude today?
• 33:15
  SPEAKER_00: And what if we could begin experiencing more love, more connection, and more purpose by giving those things to other people today?
• 33:24
  SPEAKER_00: Now, that doesn't mean we stop pursuing our goals.
• 33:28
  SPEAKER_00: I love having goals.
• 33:30
  SPEAKER_00: I love the idea of growing, improving, and becoming more than we are today.
• 33:36
  SPEAKER_00: But I don't believe we have to postpone all the wonderful feelings we're hoping to experience until some future event finally happens.
• 33:45
  SPEAKER_00: We can begin experiencing some of those feelings right now.
• 33:50
  SPEAKER_00: And that's why these three Gs mean so much to me.
• 33:55
  SPEAKER_00: Because they're not just about what we hope to receive someday.
• 33:59
  SPEAKER_00: They're about the kind of person we choose to be today.
• 34:04
  SPEAKER_00: So here's what I'd love for you to do.
• 34:07
  SPEAKER_00: For the next seven days, I want you to practice the three Gs every morning.
• 34:13
  SPEAKER_00: Spend a few minutes with God.
• 34:15
  SPEAKER_00: Think about the things that are within your control and make a commitment to take action on those things.
• 34:22
  SPEAKER_00: Then turn the rest over to God and ask for guidance.
• 34:26
  SPEAKER_00: Spend a few minutes in genuine gratitude.
• 34:30
  SPEAKER_00: Don't just make a list.
• 34:32
  SPEAKER_00: Really think about what you've been given and allow yourself to feel thankful.
• 34:37
  SPEAKER_00: And then choose one way you're going to give something meaningful to somebody else that day.
• 34:44
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it's love, maybe it's encouragement, maybe it's money, maybe it's kindness, patience, understanding, or simply your time.
• 34:55
  SPEAKER_00: And then, at the end of the day, take a moment to reflect.
• 35:00
  SPEAKER_00: Did you notice any new ideas?
• 35:02
  SPEAKER_00: Did you feel a little more peaceful?
• 35:05
  SPEAKER_00: Did you appreciate something you might normally have overlooked?
• 35:08
  SPEAKER_00: Did you make somebody else's day a little better?
• 35:11
  SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to those things.
• 35:14
  SPEAKER_00: Because sometimes the changes that make the biggest difference in our lives don't begin with some enormous event.
• 35:22
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes they begin with a quiet prayer in the morning, a moment of genuine gratitude, or one simple act of kindness.
• 35:32
  SPEAKER_00: And I want to leave you with something that I hope you'll carry with you long after this episode is over.
• 35:39
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to control everything to have faith.
• 35:44
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to have everything to be grateful.
• 35:48
  SPEAKER_00: And you don't have to be wealthy to give.
• 35:51
  SPEAKER_00: You just have to begin.
• 35:54
  SPEAKER_00: Trust God with what you cannot control.
• 35:57
  SPEAKER_00: Be deeply grateful for what you've already been given.
• 36:01
  SPEAKER_00: And look for ways to give to others the very things you'd love to experience more of in your own life.
• 36:08
  SPEAKER_00: God, gratitude, and giving.
• 36:11
  SPEAKER_00: Three simple words.
• 36:13
  SPEAKER_00: And I believe that when we make them part of the way we live, they can change not only our own lives, but the lives of the people around us.
• 36:22
  SPEAKER_00: And wouldn't that be a wonderful way to go through life?