As we celebrate a time to count our blessings and shift our hearts to the gifts and graces that flow into our lives every day, we share with you a story of one family’s Thanksgiving ritual; the gratitude tree. May it encourage us all to take time during this busy season to express all that we have to be thankful for in our lives today and every day thereafter. 

Earlier this month we celebrated Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. We share with you today a story that reminds us their service and dedication to our country is one to honor on November 11th and every day thereafter. Currently, there are only five surviving veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that have quadruple amputations; Retired United States Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is one of them.

A year ago, Jeff Greenley was working as a lawyer in the Ohio attorney general’s office. Now, he and his wife and two children live in southeastern Ohio for his new job as Director of Human Resources for the Switzerland of Ohio local school district, in the heart of Appalachia. Greenley is one of the 32 graduates from the first class of Bright New Leaders for Ohio Schools, a program for mid-career professionals with a desire to change careers and use their skills to help struggling school districts throughout the state.

To reach your personal best, you need to learn how to challenge the person in the mirror. He or she is your toughest adversary and your only real competition. Discovering how to overcome your limitations, fears and self-doubts will do more for your development than defeating a dozen competitors. We share with you today a short story highlighting swimmer Diana Nyad overcoming a coveted goal she attempted years ago, along with four principles you can start applying today to become a better version of yourself.

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life; focusing too much on the destination instead of enjoying the journey. As our schedules fill up with important events and we start finding our minds in different places, may we remember to focus on being present and simply enjoying life as we experience it. We share with you today a story about living life in the slow lane; one to keep in mind even more so with the holiday season upon us.

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?