Last Wednesday, teachers around the globe were recognized in honor of World Teachers’ Day. Chances are, we all can think of that one special teacher who gave us something, besides the next day’s assignments, to take home and really think about. As we reflect on the ways our lives were uniquely impacted in the classroom, we share with you a teacher’s story that gives life to Phil Collins’ lyrics “by learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.”

We often hear how important it is to “find our passion” in life.  We even discuss it here at The Joseph Group as part of our “second half” discussions with our clients – encouraging them to pursue their true passion once they’re financially able to.  But how does one discover his or her passion? 

Author and life coach Darren Hardy encourages people to write down the answers to the following questions as a way to zero in on what you’re passionate about.

Located in Ventura, California, Barna Group has been considered to be a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture since its start in 1984. President David Kinnaman, also a best-selling author, recently taught at a conference workshop where he shared five ways you’ll be defined in your lifetime. In attendance was our friend John Scroggins, Executive Director of The Baton Exhange, a young professional leadership development and mentoring organization. What five things do you think positively impact the legacy we leave?

If you have been tuning into the Olympics, chances are you cheered on David Boudia a few days ago as he earned silver in synchronized diving with partner Steele Johnson. While this was Steele’s first appearance at the Olympic games, David competed in Beijing in 2008, though leaving empty-handed. It was during those games he realized no matter what goal he accomplished, fulfillment always seemed just beyond his grasp. David pursued the dream of Olympic glory for what he though it could deliver: fame, adoration, acceptance, happiness; he was misplacing hope and looking for joy in the wrong places. During the 2012 games in London, David brought bronze and gold back to the USA due to a new perspective on life and his sport.. one “greater than gold.”

When asked the secret to happiness and health, Harvest psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Robert Waldinger says it has nothing to do with fame, money, or success. In fact, he believes that good relationships keep us happier and healthier. His evidence? The Harvard Study of Adult Development. Under Robert’s direction, his team and their predecessors have tracked the lives of 724 men to study their work, home lives, and health. Over the past 75 years, 60 of the original group of men are still living and participating in the study while the team begins to look into the lives of more than 2,000 Baby Boomer sons and daughters of the original 724 men. The biggest takeaways from their findings? 

While politics have been the spotlight in news headlines, we can now expect competition to bring us together as coverage of the much anticipated 2016 Olympic Games in Rio begins.  As we cheer on our country and favorite athletes we are sure to witness many victorious celebrations, but at the same time learn from moments of struggle and defeat. Four-time United States National Champion Heather (Dorniden) Kampf once used a setback to propel herself into making a powerful comeback to win gold at a Big Ten Championship.  Today, author Michael Hyatt shares with us three reasons we should stay in the game when the going gets tough. 

Helen Walton was once quoted saying “It’s not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.” Married to the founder of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, she certainly knew a thing or two about wealth but more importantly, the significance of living a life of influence and positively impacting others. Writer Gail Rodgers shares a similar message reminding us our words and actions touch lives far beyond the boundaries we think they go.

On Wednesday evening the ESPY Awards were held recognizing individual and team athletic achievement. The winning streak continued for the Cleveland Cavaliers off the court as they received several awards, and the careers of retirees Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, and Abby Wambach were celebrated. As athletes were recognized and admired for their determination, commitment, and confidence throughout the season, an individual “on the sidelines” provided the greatest inspiration that night.

Jessica Herrin, CEO & Founder of the Stella & Dot Family of Brands and author of Find Your Extraordinary, recently published an article after meeting with a new college graduate in search of landing her “dream job.” With two job offers in front of her, she was concerned that they weren’t all she had hoped they’d be after obtaining her degree; one could be too tedious, the other could be too challenging. Her goal was to begin her career in a position she was very passionate about without compromise. The words of wisdom Jessica shared are valuable not only to those entering the workforce but each one of us as we are reminded those that look for easy will never find extraordinary.

Aside from picnics and parades, Independence Day is a time to reaffirm God’s vision for America while we reflect on the reason for celebration. As we honor our nation’s birthday this weekend, we remember with gratitude the many men and women who have served in the military so that all Americans can enjoy the freedoms we cherish.  Army Sergeant Bryan Anderson is one such veteran.  But it is not just his service that inspires us; it’s what he has done since then to encourage all who know him, or his story, to live lives with courage, passion, and greatness.