Steve Goodier Wisdom: Say, “AWE”

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about wonderment. Enjoy!

Albert Einstein said that wonder is the source of all true art and all science. “He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”

During our recent visit to Peru, we were amazed at the magnificent Incan architecture. Their precise stonework has withstood the centuries, though earthquakes have toppled other buildings all around. We were enthralled by the terraces the Incan people built on the sides of Andean mountains to grow crops. They created perhaps the finest irrigation system the world had known at the time. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: Celebrating You!

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about celebrating ourselves. Enjoy!

An old story tells of an unhappy and discontented stonecutter. One day he came upon a merchant and was awe-struck by all of the marvelous goods the man had for sale. “I wish I were a merchant,” said the stonecutter and, quite amazingly, his wish was granted.

Not long afterward he saw a parade pass his little shop. Spying a prince dressed in splendor such as he had never before seen, he said, “I wish I were a prince.” And he became one. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: When the World Pulls You Down

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about reaching out. Enjoy!

A man recently wrote to me that he was upset about how people in business continually take advantage by not standing behind their products or otherwise offering inferior service. How do you stay positive and healthy in this kind of environment, he wondered?

He related this example: “I recently tried getting the brakes fixed on my car. I took it to one place three times and spent around $400. They still didn’t work. I had enough and went to the actual dealership. I have been there three times, have spent $400 more dollars, and they still aren’t right.” He mentioned that he knew enough about automobile mechanics to be aware of what the problem was. But he asked, “What about the woman or man who doesn’t know much about cars?” He was worried about how others take advantage of innocent victims. “The thought of this makes me so angry. I hate seeing others (taking advantage) of good people. I can’t stand to watch this happen.” Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: We Need Each Other

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about our needs. Enjoy!

Many living things need each other to survive. If you have ever seen a Colorado aspen tree, you may have noticed that it does not grow alone. Aspens are found in clusters, or groves. The reason is that the aspen sends up new shoots from the roots. In a small grove, all of the trees may actually be connected by their roots!

Giant California redwood trees may tower 300 feet into the sky. It would seem that they would require extremely deep roots to anchor them against strong winds. But we’re told that their roots are actually quite shallow - in order to capture as much surface water as possible. And they spread in all directions, intertwining with other redwoods. Locked together in this way, all the trees support each other in wind and storms. Like the aspen, they never stand alone. They need one another to survive. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: A Peculiar Kind of Love

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about letting go. Enjoy!

It was love at first sight. I knew how the boy felt who clambered breathlessly through his front door and cried, “Dad! I’m in love!”

“How do you know it’s love?” his father asked. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: Not-So-Grim Reaper

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about living a fulfilled life. Enjoy!

Cyrus McCormick, who invented the reaper and founded the  company that became International Harvester, was a generous contributor to Chicago’s Presbyterian Theological School. Because of that fact, the school later changed its name to McCormick Theological Seminary. Faculty and students have quipped that death is never referred to as “The Grim Reaper” at McCormick, but always as “The International Harvester.”

“Grim” is not a word which describes the experience of many people who find themselves nearing life’s end. Like Dr. Abraham Maslow commented after a heart attack which made him realize that his own death was not far away: “Death, and its ever-present possibility makes love, passionate love, more possible. I wonder if we could love passionately, if ecstasy would be possible at all, if we knew we’d never die.” Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: Those You Touch… You Change

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about our impact. Enjoy!

Did you know that your money likely has traces of cocaine on it?

A study by Jack Demirgian of the Argonne National Laboratory revealed that a full 78% of the currency circulating in Miami and other major US cities carries trace amounts of cocaine.

They were only looking for cocaine, but I wonder what else might be found on the bills? Fast-food products, no doubt, such as French fry grease, mustard, soft drink residue and coffee. And how about rouge or lipstick from purses and lint from pockets? I’ve seen everything from ink to oil on money that has come my way, and more indistinguishable stains than I care to remember. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: Live it!

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about living with zeal. Enjoy!

Editor, diplomat and poet James Russell Lowell had a wonderful attitude. One day, when passing a building in the outskirts of Boston, he noticed an identifying inscription: “Home for Incurable Children.” To a friend he remarked, “They’ll get me in there some day.”

If he means that he’ll never be cured of an overriding enthusiasm for living, then I also hope they’ll get me into a place like that some day. I never want to outgrow my zeal for life. I never want to become so jaded as to take living for granted. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: Spiritual Medication

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about getting still. Enjoy!

Demographic experts are tell us that there is a general spiritual awakening among people of various faiths. Some are returning to “organized” religions. Others are seeking spiritual answers along other paths. However it is done, people are realizing the importance of a healthy spiritual dimension to their lives.

One man tells about a time when his wife suffered from a headache. She took medication and lay down, but nothing seemed to help. Read more

Steve Goodier Wisdom: In Focus

In this inspirational article, master storyteller, Steve Goodier, shares a key piece of life wisdom about focus. Enjoy!

In reading a mortality chart, I discovered something truly amazing. A great number of people die each year from a disease I had never heard of! Of course, there was the predictable number who died of heart attacks, cancer, stroke, accidents and the like, but at the bottom of the chart was one that surprised me. It was called “miscellaneous.” Apparently, a large number of people die of “miscellaneous” every year!

I think I understand why. I suffer from “miscellaneous” when I go in too many directions at once. When I am scattered, the disease begins to take over. Soon my self-esteem is affected and I feel as if I’m doing nothing important. Flitting here and there, I have no overriding purpose and I feel as if my life is spinning out of control. It must be a terrible way to die! Read more

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