1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:02,000 Good morning. 2 01:00:03,958 --> 01:00:06,041 And welcome to morning cereal 3 01:00:12,166 --> 01:00:14,416 Okay, good morning and welcome to Monday. 4 01:00:14,958 --> 01:00:16,458 Well, you've made it through hopefully 5 01:00:16,458 --> 01:00:18,500 what was a restful weekend for you, 6 01:00:18,500 --> 01:00:19,666 and now it's time to 7 01:00:19,666 --> 01:00:21,375 tackle a new week ahead of us. 8 01:00:22,000 --> 01:00:23,083 But maybe first, let's 9 01:00:23,083 --> 01:00:23,916 just start with a coffee. 10 01:00:24,541 --> 01:00:25,750 Well, it's May 19th and 11 01:00:25,750 --> 01:00:27,291 the calendar is serving up 12 01:00:27,291 --> 01:00:28,666 what I might suggest is a 13 01:00:28,666 --> 01:00:30,333 delightful mix of observances. 14 01:00:31,041 --> 01:00:33,791 Today is National Devil Foods Cake Day, 15 01:00:34,250 --> 01:00:35,250 and I guess that's the 16 01:00:35,250 --> 01:00:37,041 opposite of angel food cake. 17 01:00:37,250 --> 01:00:38,958 That was my late grandfather's favor, 18 01:00:39,166 --> 01:00:40,041 and it's one of mine too. 19 01:00:40,791 --> 01:00:43,333 Well, it's also National Mayray Day. 20 01:00:44,041 --> 01:00:45,708 National Mayray Day, and 21 01:00:45,708 --> 01:00:46,708 it's not just fun to say, 22 01:00:47,166 --> 01:00:48,041 it's encouraging 23 01:00:48,041 --> 01:00:49,708 everyone to step outside, 24 01:00:49,958 --> 01:00:51,041 soak up that spring 25 01:00:51,041 --> 01:00:52,916 sunshine on a Monday morning. 26 01:00:53,750 --> 01:00:54,791 And for those of you who 27 01:00:54,791 --> 01:00:56,708 appreciate the unsung heroes 28 01:00:56,708 --> 01:00:57,583 of the music world, 29 01:00:58,041 --> 01:00:59,458 it's National Roadie Day, 30 01:01:00,041 --> 01:01:01,458 honoring the hardworking individuals 31 01:01:01,708 --> 01:01:03,291 who keep the show on the road. 32 01:01:04,083 --> 01:01:05,833 Well, moving on to our quote of the day, 33 01:01:05,833 --> 01:01:07,625 it's from Michael Shea, and Michael Shea 34 01:01:07,750 --> 01:01:09,125 isn't exactly known for his 35 01:01:09,125 --> 01:01:10,958 Hallmark style inspiration, 36 01:01:11,583 --> 01:01:13,208 but here's a quote from him that, 37 01:01:13,583 --> 01:01:14,416 "While delivered with 38 01:01:14,416 --> 01:01:16,333 humor carries a deeper truth 39 01:01:16,750 --> 01:01:17,416 that those of us 40 01:01:17,416 --> 01:01:18,500 looking for some inspiration 41 01:01:18,708 --> 01:01:19,125 can appreciate." 42 01:01:19,583 --> 01:01:21,125 Here it is, Michael Shea said, 43 01:01:21,625 --> 01:01:22,333 "If you're not 44 01:01:22,333 --> 01:01:23,791 failing, you're not trying. 45 01:01:24,208 --> 01:01:24,958 And if you're not 46 01:01:24,958 --> 01:01:26,666 trying, what are you doing?" 47 01:01:27,041 --> 01:01:27,291 End quote. 48 01:01:28,000 --> 01:01:28,875 Well, I know it's a bit 49 01:01:28,875 --> 01:01:31,083 cheeky, but the message sticks, 50 01:01:31,291 --> 01:01:31,500 right? 51 01:01:31,791 --> 01:01:32,583 Growth doesn't happen 52 01:01:32,583 --> 01:01:33,666 in the comfort zone. 53 01:01:34,166 --> 01:01:36,125 It's a solid Monday mantra. 54 01:01:36,833 --> 01:01:38,166 Push forward, mess up a 55 01:01:38,166 --> 01:01:40,166 little, but keep moving forward. 56 01:01:40,916 --> 01:01:42,583 All right, well, today's 57 01:01:42,583 --> 01:01:43,708 news, facts, and birthdays 58 01:01:43,708 --> 01:01:45,500 are for May 19th. 59 01:01:45,791 --> 01:01:48,583 And over the weekend in 1980, this 60 01:01:48,583 --> 01:01:49,833 is the weekend that Mount 61 01:01:49,833 --> 01:01:51,208 St. Helens in Washington 62 01:01:51,416 --> 01:01:52,166 state erupted. 63 01:01:52,833 --> 01:01:55,750 Then moving on to 1962, on 64 01:01:55,750 --> 01:01:58,083 this date, Marilyn Monroe, 65 01:01:58,083 --> 01:01:59,625 she performed her iconic 66 01:01:59,625 --> 01:02:01,583 rendition of "Happy Birthday" 67 01:02:01,583 --> 01:02:02,666 to President John F. 68 01:02:02,666 --> 01:02:04,083 Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. 69 01:02:05,083 --> 01:02:07,041 And then finally on this date in 2018, 70 01:02:07,333 --> 01:02:08,291 this is the date that 71 01:02:08,291 --> 01:02:09,333 Prince Harry married 72 01:02:09,416 --> 01:02:11,208 Meghan Markle in a 73 01:02:11,208 --> 01:02:12,708 ceremony at St. George's Chapel 74 01:02:13,083 --> 01:02:13,958 at Windsor Castle. 75 01:02:15,000 --> 01:02:16,041 All right, here's the top 76 01:02:16,041 --> 01:02:17,625 story from over the weekend, 77 01:02:17,625 --> 01:02:19,125 something that we should all be aware of. 78 01:02:19,666 --> 01:02:20,250 Wall Street Journal 79 01:02:20,250 --> 01:02:22,166 reported that Moody's downgraded 80 01:02:22,166 --> 01:02:23,583 the US credit rating 81 01:02:23,583 --> 01:02:25,166 amid tariff concerns. 82 01:02:25,791 --> 01:02:27,333 So Moody's investor service has 83 01:02:27,333 --> 01:02:28,625 downgraded the US credit 84 01:02:28,708 --> 01:02:29,875 rating, citing concerns 85 01:02:29,875 --> 01:02:32,041 over the economic impact of all 86 01:02:32,083 --> 01:02:34,583 these newly imposed tariffs and the 87 01:02:34,583 --> 01:02:36,208 continued deficit spending. 88 01:02:37,041 --> 01:02:38,041 I wish I could go into 89 01:02:38,041 --> 01:02:39,125 this much deeper because this 90 01:02:39,125 --> 01:02:41,083 is a big deal and a major 91 01:02:41,083 --> 01:02:43,666 change from historical US debt 92 01:02:43,750 --> 01:02:44,208 ratings. 93 01:02:45,416 --> 01:02:46,666 Well, let's move on to birthdays. 94 01:02:46,666 --> 01:02:47,583 Happy birthday to you if 95 01:02:47,583 --> 01:02:48,583 today is your birthday. 96 01:02:49,041 --> 01:02:49,833 These two birthdays took 97 01:02:49,833 --> 01:02:51,125 place over the weekend, comedian 98 01:02:51,375 --> 01:02:52,958 and writer, known for her work on 99 01:02:52,958 --> 01:02:54,041 "Saturday Night Live" 100 01:02:54,041 --> 01:02:54,583 and "30 Rock." 101 01:02:55,083 --> 01:02:56,666 Tina Fey, she's 55. 102 01:02:57,625 --> 01:02:58,791 And country singer 103 01:02:58,791 --> 01:03:00,625 George Strait, he turned 73. 104 01:03:01,500 --> 01:03:03,208 Then birthdays for this day include 105 01:03:03,208 --> 01:03:04,583 YouTube personality, singer 106 01:03:04,791 --> 01:03:05,750 and just all around kind 107 01:03:05,750 --> 01:03:07,833 of crazy person, JoJo Siwa. 108 01:03:08,083 --> 01:03:09,125 She's 22 today. 109 01:03:09,791 --> 01:03:12,333 Then DJ and electronic music producer, 110 01:03:12,666 --> 01:03:14,000 and also, by the way, 111 01:03:14,000 --> 01:03:16,416 a traditional Halloween costume in my 112 01:03:16,416 --> 01:03:17,791 household, Marshmello. 113 01:03:18,083 --> 01:03:19,250 He's 33 today. 114 01:03:19,791 --> 01:03:20,750 Then Grammy-winning 115 01:03:20,750 --> 01:03:22,750 pop singer, Sam Smith. 116 01:03:22,750 --> 01:03:23,791 He's 33 today. 117 01:03:24,500 --> 01:03:26,083 Then comedian and co-anchor of "Saturday 118 01:03:26,083 --> 01:03:27,041 Night Live's" weekend 119 01:03:27,166 --> 01:03:28,250 update, Michael Shea. 120 01:03:28,250 --> 01:03:29,458 He's 41 today. 121 01:03:30,125 --> 01:03:31,791 And then the last one, hall 122 01:03:31,791 --> 01:03:33,083 of fame basketball player, 123 01:03:33,166 --> 01:03:34,666 renowned for his intensity and his 124 01:03:34,666 --> 01:03:35,666 versatility on the court. 125 01:03:35,666 --> 01:03:36,416 He came straight out of 126 01:03:36,416 --> 01:03:38,041 high school, Kevin Garnett. 127 01:03:38,250 --> 01:03:39,208 He's 48. 128 01:03:40,250 --> 01:03:41,333 Well, the number one song 129 01:03:41,333 --> 01:03:43,166 on this date back in 1987 130 01:03:43,833 --> 01:03:46,250 was "With or Without You" by U2. 131 01:03:46,958 --> 01:03:48,291 Now, the song "With or Without You" 132 01:03:48,291 --> 01:03:49,791 was written during a rough patch in 133 01:03:49,791 --> 01:03:50,875 Bono's personal life. 134 01:03:51,083 --> 01:03:52,000 He was torn between the 135 01:03:52,000 --> 01:03:53,583 demands of fame and the stability 136 01:03:53,583 --> 01:03:54,750 of his marriage, apparently. 137 01:03:55,416 --> 01:03:56,791 And it's a tension that 138 01:03:56,791 --> 01:03:58,333 inspired the song's emotionally 139 01:03:58,750 --> 01:03:59,541 conflicted lyrics. 140 01:04:00,083 --> 01:04:02,708 At one point, Bono didn't even think 141 01:04:02,708 --> 01:04:04,333 the song was good enough to release, 142 01:04:04,708 --> 01:04:06,541 but producers pushed for it. 143 01:04:06,916 --> 01:04:09,250 And it became U2's first number one hit 144 01:04:09,250 --> 01:04:10,666 on the Billboard Hot 100. 145 01:04:11,041 --> 01:04:11,833 And it stayed there 146 01:04:11,833 --> 01:04:13,750 for three weeks in 1987. 147 01:04:14,583 --> 01:04:15,416 And despite, or maybe 148 01:04:15,416 --> 01:04:17,375 because of, its raw vulnerability, 149 01:04:17,916 --> 01:04:18,666 it's now considered 150 01:04:18,666 --> 01:04:19,708 one of the greatest rock 151 01:04:19,791 --> 01:04:21,375 ballads of all time, even 152 01:04:21,375 --> 01:04:22,958 earning a spot on Rolling Stone's 153 01:04:22,958 --> 01:04:25,083 list of the 500 greatest songs. 154 01:04:26,250 --> 01:04:27,416 While continuing our walk 155 01:04:27,416 --> 01:04:28,333 through the seven habits 156 01:04:28,458 --> 01:04:29,041 of highly effective 157 01:04:29,041 --> 01:04:31,083 people by Stephen R. Covey, 158 01:04:31,208 --> 01:04:33,208 today we are unpacking the sub-chapter, 159 01:04:33,833 --> 01:04:35,333 making and keeping commitments. 160 01:04:36,125 --> 01:04:37,041 And one of the more 161 01:04:37,041 --> 01:04:38,916 quietly powerful concepts 162 01:04:38,916 --> 01:04:40,416 in part two of chapter one. 163 01:04:41,166 --> 01:04:42,958 This section challenges us to examine 164 01:04:43,125 --> 01:04:44,583 not just what we promise, 165 01:04:44,583 --> 01:04:46,750 but what those promises actually mean 166 01:04:47,250 --> 01:04:48,500 in shaping our character. 167 01:04:49,041 --> 01:04:50,208 And Covey starts by 168 01:04:50,208 --> 01:04:52,041 emphasizing the deep relationship 169 01:04:52,250 --> 01:04:53,875 between personal integrity 170 01:04:53,875 --> 01:04:55,541 and habit building, right? 171 01:04:55,666 --> 01:04:57,875 He writes, quote, integrity is the value 172 01:04:57,875 --> 01:04:59,583 we place on ourselves, end quote. 173 01:05:00,166 --> 01:05:01,958 In other words, every commitment we make, 174 01:05:01,958 --> 01:05:04,041 especially the small, easy to break ones, 175 01:05:04,250 --> 01:05:05,583 is a mirror of how 176 01:05:05,583 --> 01:05:06,666 much we trust ourselves. 177 01:05:07,416 --> 01:05:08,333 Most of us are pretty good 178 01:05:08,333 --> 01:05:09,708 at keeping our word to others, 179 01:05:10,041 --> 01:05:12,041 but Covey turns the focus inward. 180 01:05:12,750 --> 01:05:14,708 Do you keep promises to yourself? 181 01:05:15,666 --> 01:05:16,458 He argues that 182 01:05:16,458 --> 01:05:18,375 personal development is rooted 183 01:05:18,583 --> 01:05:20,000 not in sudden transformation, 184 01:05:20,333 --> 01:05:21,125 but in a steady 185 01:05:21,125 --> 01:05:23,083 accumulation of self trust. 186 01:05:24,166 --> 01:05:26,000 Every time we make and keep a commitment, 187 01:05:26,291 --> 01:05:27,000 even something as 188 01:05:27,000 --> 01:05:28,833 small as waking up on time 189 01:05:28,833 --> 01:05:30,041 or finishing the project 190 01:05:30,041 --> 01:05:31,250 that we said we'd finish, 191 01:05:32,000 --> 01:05:34,541 we make a deposit into what Covey calls 192 01:05:34,541 --> 01:05:36,291 our personal integrity account. 193 01:05:37,083 --> 01:05:38,041 And these small 194 01:05:38,041 --> 01:05:39,750 deposits build credibility, 195 01:05:39,750 --> 01:05:41,916 both internally and with others. 196 01:05:42,833 --> 01:05:44,083 But on the flip side, 197 01:05:44,666 --> 01:05:45,458 breaking commitments, 198 01:05:45,791 --> 01:05:49,125 especially repeatedly begins to erode 199 01:05:49,125 --> 01:05:50,291 not just how others see 200 01:05:50,291 --> 01:05:51,916 us, but how we see ourselves. 201 01:05:52,708 --> 01:05:54,166 Covey doesn't shy away from the 202 01:05:54,166 --> 01:05:55,125 consequences stating, 203 01:05:55,375 --> 01:05:56,833 quote, if you start to think 204 01:05:56,833 --> 01:05:58,166 that you're not dependable, 205 01:05:58,583 --> 01:06:00,208 you will begin to act that way. 206 01:06:00,750 --> 01:06:02,416 You will fail to make commitments 207 01:06:02,625 --> 01:06:04,166 or you'll make them casually 208 01:06:04,166 --> 01:06:06,000 with no real intent to 209 01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:07,291 follow through, end quote. 210 01:06:08,166 --> 01:06:10,375 So how do we break this cycle? 211 01:06:11,125 --> 01:06:13,041 Covey offers a practical solution here. 212 01:06:13,375 --> 01:06:14,750 He says, start small, 213 01:06:15,125 --> 01:06:16,708 make realistic commitments, 214 01:06:16,958 --> 01:06:18,291 ones you know you can keep. 215 01:06:18,708 --> 01:06:19,791 This builds momentum. 216 01:06:20,541 --> 01:06:21,833 Then as your confidence 217 01:06:21,833 --> 01:06:23,875 grows, so can your commitments. 218 01:06:24,666 --> 01:06:26,166 And Covey also emphasizes 219 01:06:26,166 --> 01:06:27,666 the importance of awareness. 220 01:06:28,166 --> 01:06:29,333 Don't say yes to just 221 01:06:29,333 --> 01:06:31,125 please others or out of guilt. 222 01:06:31,750 --> 01:06:33,000 A false promise is worse 223 01:06:33,000 --> 01:06:34,791 than a delayed maybe, right? 224 01:06:35,166 --> 01:06:38,166 Instead, act deliberately, keep your word 225 01:06:38,500 --> 01:06:39,916 and course correct when needed. 226 01:06:40,750 --> 01:06:41,500 Here's the takeaway. 227 01:06:42,750 --> 01:06:44,166 Integrity isn't built overnight. 228 01:06:44,875 --> 01:06:46,125 It's built moment by 229 01:06:46,125 --> 01:06:48,041 moment, commitment by commitment. 230 01:06:48,916 --> 01:06:50,916 If you want to feel more confident, 231 01:06:50,916 --> 01:06:52,291 more capable and more grounded, 232 01:06:52,583 --> 01:06:54,875 start by being someone you can count on. 233 01:06:55,666 --> 01:06:56,750 Because once you believe 234 01:06:56,750 --> 01:06:58,791 your own words, others will too. 235 01:06:59,333 --> 01:06:59,916 All right, that's your 236 01:06:59,916 --> 01:07:00,708 Monday morning cereal, 237 01:07:01,000 --> 01:07:02,250 a bowl of history, news, 238 01:07:02,250 --> 01:07:03,416 nostalgia, some inspiration. 239 01:07:04,375 --> 01:07:05,250 And let me just thank you 240 01:07:05,250 --> 01:07:06,666 for starting your week with us. 241 01:07:06,666 --> 01:07:07,750 Join us again tomorrow for 242 01:07:07,750 --> 01:07:08,791 more insights and stories 243 01:07:09,000 --> 01:07:09,875 to kickstart your day. 244 01:07:10,291 --> 01:07:12,875 And don't forget, have a fantastic day. 245 01:07:15,208 --> 01:07:16,958 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 246 01:07:16,958 --> 01:07:17,583 the Morning Serial 247 01:07:17,583 --> 01:07:19,208 podcast on the One Life 248 01:07:19,375 --> 01:07:20,208 Live It channel. 249 01:07:20,750 --> 01:07:22,666 You can find more episodes and videos by 250 01:07:22,666 --> 01:07:24,333 visiting our YouTube channel and the 251 01:07:24,333 --> 01:07:25,958 website at seaningless 252 01:07:26,291 --> 01:07:28,458 and at seaningless.com, where you can 253 01:07:28,458 --> 01:07:29,791 also follow our other 254 01:07:29,791 --> 01:07:31,333 podcast, the Mr. and Mrs. 255 01:07:31,333 --> 01:07:32,500 Inglis podcast and the 256 01:07:32,500 --> 01:07:33,500 Life Happens podcast. 257 01:07:34,333 --> 01:07:36,000 In these other podcasts, we'll dive 258 01:07:36,000 --> 01:07:37,375 deeper into everyday issues, 259 01:07:37,666 --> 01:07:38,416 self-improvement and 260 01:07:38,416 --> 01:07:40,916 well-being, business and finance, and we 261 01:07:40,916 --> 01:07:42,166 welcome special guests too. 262 01:07:42,666 --> 01:07:43,416 So join us. 263 01:07:43,416 --> 01:07:44,750 It'll be a good time, I promise. 264 01:07:45,458 --> 01:07:46,333 Thanks again for listening. 265 01:07:46,541 --> 01:07:48,083 Have a fantastic day and 266 01:07:48,083 --> 01:07:48,708 we'll see you tomorrow.