1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:04,125 Good morning and 2 01:00:04,125 --> 01:00:06,875 welcome to Morning Cereal. 3 01:00:12,000 --> 01:00:12,791 Alright good morning 4 01:00:12,791 --> 01:00:13,916 and welcome to Wednesday. 5 01:00:14,666 --> 01:00:16,250 Well if you're feeling like the week is 6 01:00:16,250 --> 01:00:17,916 already three days too 7 01:00:17,916 --> 01:00:19,416 long, don't worry, there's 8 01:00:19,416 --> 01:00:20,708 only two days left until 9 01:00:20,708 --> 01:00:22,708 Friday and we always have hope. 10 01:00:23,416 --> 01:00:26,666 Actually, today is audacity to hope day. 11 01:00:27,166 --> 01:00:28,708 So go ahead and dream 12 01:00:28,708 --> 01:00:30,458 bigger than just your to-do list. 13 01:00:31,291 --> 01:00:33,708 I also hope you like cheese today, not 14 01:00:33,708 --> 01:00:34,916 because my dad jokes are 15 01:00:34,916 --> 01:00:36,625 the cheesiest, but because 16 01:00:36,625 --> 01:00:39,583 today is also National Cheese Day. 17 01:00:40,250 --> 01:00:42,541 Yet it's not clear if that is referring 18 01:00:42,541 --> 01:00:44,166 to dad jokes or just 19 01:00:44,166 --> 01:00:45,666 good old mac and cheese 20 01:00:45,666 --> 01:00:46,625 variety cheese. 21 01:00:47,416 --> 01:00:50,208 Alright lastly it's shopping cart day, so 22 01:00:50,208 --> 01:00:51,958 just be sure to pick the 23 01:00:51,958 --> 01:00:53,375 one without the squeaky 24 01:00:53,375 --> 01:00:54,083 problem wheel. 25 01:00:55,333 --> 01:00:57,208 And if you're shopping for some boldness 26 01:00:57,208 --> 01:00:58,375 this morning, our 27 01:00:58,375 --> 01:00:59,791 quote may have just what 28 01:00:59,791 --> 01:01:00,291 you ordered. 29 01:01:01,291 --> 01:01:03,750 Angelina Jolie said quote, "Make bold 30 01:01:03,750 --> 01:01:05,291 choices and make mistakes. 31 01:01:05,875 --> 01:01:07,500 It's all those things that add 32 01:01:07,500 --> 01:01:08,833 up to the person you become." 33 01:01:09,208 --> 01:01:09,500 End quote. 34 01:01:10,166 --> 01:01:12,083 Now this quote is a reminder that growth 35 01:01:12,083 --> 01:01:14,000 and authenticity often 36 01:01:14,000 --> 01:01:15,333 comes from stepping outside 37 01:01:15,333 --> 01:01:17,541 your comfort zone, even if it means 38 01:01:17,541 --> 01:01:19,500 making a few mistakes along the way. 39 01:01:20,541 --> 01:01:21,875 Well today's news facts and 40 01:01:21,875 --> 01:01:23,500 birthdays are for June 4th. 41 01:01:23,708 --> 01:01:24,291 We're going to start 42 01:01:24,291 --> 01:01:26,458 back all the way in 1783. 43 01:01:27,208 --> 01:01:29,458 That's when the Montgolfier brothers, 44 01:01:29,458 --> 01:01:30,458 they publicly 45 01:01:30,458 --> 01:01:32,458 demonstrated their hot air balloon 46 01:01:32,458 --> 01:01:35,041 for the first time, marking a significant 47 01:01:35,041 --> 01:01:37,458 milestone in aviation history. 48 01:01:38,291 --> 01:01:41,000 Then skipping up to 1919, that's when the 49 01:01:41,000 --> 01:01:44,166 US Congress approved the 19th Amendment. 50 01:01:44,583 --> 01:01:45,583 You know what that one was? 51 01:01:46,041 --> 01:01:47,041 It's an important one. 52 01:01:47,625 --> 01:01:48,916 It was the amendment that 53 01:01:48,916 --> 01:01:50,708 granted women the right to vote. 54 01:01:51,875 --> 01:01:54,916 Then in the great year of 1977, on this 55 01:01:54,916 --> 01:01:57,833 date, JVC introduced the 56 01:01:57,833 --> 01:02:00,291 nostalgic relic, the VHS 57 01:02:00,708 --> 01:02:02,125 videotape at the Consumer Electronics 58 01:02:02,125 --> 01:02:03,125 Show, and that 59 01:02:03,125 --> 01:02:05,208 revolutionized home entertainment, 60 01:02:05,791 --> 01:02:07,291 and it also ushered in 61 01:02:07,291 --> 01:02:08,916 Friday nights at Blockbuster. 62 01:02:10,208 --> 01:02:12,875 Then in 1984 on this date, Bruce 63 01:02:12,875 --> 01:02:14,833 Springsteen released his 64 01:02:14,833 --> 01:02:17,083 iconic album, Born in the USA, 65 01:02:17,708 --> 01:02:18,250 which became a 66 01:02:18,250 --> 01:02:19,875 defining work of his career. 67 01:02:20,833 --> 01:02:23,916 And then lastly, in 2003, everyone's 68 01:02:23,916 --> 01:02:25,083 favorite grandma that's 69 01:02:25,083 --> 01:02:26,958 done hard time, Martha Stewart, 70 01:02:27,458 --> 01:02:29,500 this was the date she was indicted on 71 01:02:29,500 --> 01:02:31,666 charges related to insider trading. 72 01:02:32,583 --> 01:02:34,041 Well, happy birthday to you 73 01:02:34,041 --> 01:02:35,333 if today is your birthday. 74 01:02:35,583 --> 01:02:37,625 You share a birthday with British 75 01:02:37,625 --> 01:02:39,416 comedian and actor known for his 76 01:02:39,416 --> 01:02:40,750 irreverent humor and 77 01:02:40,750 --> 01:02:42,875 his sharp wit, Russell Brand. 78 01:02:42,875 --> 01:02:43,958 He's 50 today. 79 01:02:44,833 --> 01:02:47,000 Then Angelina Jolie, you know her, 80 01:02:47,250 --> 01:02:48,208 actress, filmmaker, 81 01:02:48,458 --> 01:02:50,708 humanitarian icon, also provided 82 01:02:50,791 --> 01:02:53,291 our quote today, "Angelina's 50 today." 83 01:02:54,208 --> 01:02:55,958 I'll be sure he's an R&B 84 01:02:55,958 --> 01:02:57,333 singer and record producer. 85 01:02:57,791 --> 01:02:58,541 You might remember him 86 01:02:58,541 --> 01:03:00,875 gaining fame in the late 1980s. 87 01:03:01,125 --> 01:03:02,458 Well, he's 57 today. 88 01:03:03,000 --> 01:03:04,416 You know this name Scott Wolf. 89 01:03:04,666 --> 01:03:06,416 He's an actor best known for his role in 90 01:03:06,416 --> 01:03:08,625 the television series, Party of Five. 91 01:03:09,208 --> 01:03:10,791 Well Scott's 57 today. 92 01:03:11,458 --> 01:03:14,041 And lastly, an actor recognized for his 93 01:03:14,041 --> 01:03:15,666 performances in ER and 94 01:03:15,666 --> 01:03:17,833 the Librarian, Noah Wiley. 95 01:03:18,333 --> 01:03:19,541 He's 54 today. 96 01:03:20,583 --> 01:03:22,250 Well, the number one song on this date 97 01:03:22,250 --> 01:03:24,291 back in 1985 was 98 01:03:24,291 --> 01:03:26,791 Everything She Wants by Wham. 99 01:03:27,375 --> 01:03:29,583 Now, you might not know this song by the 100 01:03:29,583 --> 01:03:31,250 name, but you know the song. 101 01:03:31,708 --> 01:03:33,375 And you can hear it on the morning serial 102 01:03:33,375 --> 01:03:33,958 highlights on 103 01:03:33,958 --> 01:03:35,625 Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. 104 01:03:36,291 --> 01:03:38,291 Great song that was actually released as 105 01:03:38,291 --> 01:03:39,166 a double A-side 106 01:03:39,166 --> 01:03:40,875 release along with one of my 107 01:03:40,875 --> 01:03:43,166 favorite Christmas songs, Last 108 01:03:43,166 --> 01:03:44,708 Christmas by Wham, obviously. 109 01:03:45,541 --> 01:03:47,541 Well, with this number one song, Wham 110 01:03:47,541 --> 01:03:48,708 became the first group 111 01:03:48,708 --> 01:03:50,166 since the Bee Gees to have 112 01:03:50,291 --> 01:03:51,208 three number one 113 01:03:51,208 --> 01:03:53,208 singles from the same album. 114 01:03:53,625 --> 01:03:56,041 They were Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and 115 01:03:56,041 --> 01:03:57,250 Careless Whisper from 116 01:03:57,250 --> 01:03:58,333 their album Make It Big. 117 01:03:59,041 --> 01:04:00,666 Now, it's been a while since I said 118 01:04:00,666 --> 01:04:02,250 quintessential, so I'm 119 01:04:02,250 --> 01:04:03,250 going to go ahead and say it. 120 01:04:03,583 --> 01:04:06,166 These are quintessential 80s hits. 121 01:04:07,083 --> 01:04:08,375 Now, let's go ahead and jump into some 122 01:04:08,375 --> 01:04:09,875 essential self-improvement 123 01:04:09,875 --> 01:04:11,125 in our book review segment. 124 01:04:11,875 --> 01:04:13,208 Right now, we're in the sub-chapter 125 01:04:13,208 --> 01:04:15,250 Identifying Your Sinner of 126 01:04:15,250 --> 01:04:16,750 the Seven Habits of Highly 127 01:04:16,750 --> 01:04:19,041 Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, in 128 01:04:19,041 --> 01:04:20,208 which Covey is urging 129 01:04:20,208 --> 01:04:21,583 us to take a hard look at 130 01:04:21,583 --> 01:04:23,083 the core of our lives, 131 01:04:23,500 --> 01:04:24,708 what he calls our center. 132 01:04:25,500 --> 01:04:27,708 He writes, "Looking closely at our life 133 01:04:27,708 --> 01:04:29,500 support factors is perhaps 134 01:04:29,500 --> 01:04:31,166 one of the most important 135 01:04:31,208 --> 01:04:32,458 investments you'll ever make." 136 01:04:33,666 --> 01:04:35,958 This idea asks us to pause and reflect 137 01:04:35,958 --> 01:04:38,333 what is truly driving us every day. 138 01:04:39,041 --> 01:04:41,166 Now, Covey explains that many of us have 139 01:04:41,166 --> 01:04:42,375 centers that shape our 140 01:04:42,375 --> 01:04:44,250 decisions, reactions, and even 141 01:04:44,250 --> 01:04:45,291 our sense of identity. 142 01:04:45,833 --> 01:04:47,583 These centers might not be obvious, but 143 01:04:47,583 --> 01:04:49,333 they quietly direct how we 144 01:04:49,333 --> 01:04:51,250 approach life's challenges. 145 01:04:51,833 --> 01:04:53,583 And he breaks them down with simple 146 01:04:53,583 --> 01:04:55,833 examples to help us see them in action. 147 01:04:56,083 --> 01:04:57,750 So if you're a spouse-centered person, 148 01:04:58,041 --> 01:04:59,000 you might find that your 149 01:04:59,000 --> 01:05:00,166 happiness and self-worth 150 01:05:00,166 --> 01:05:02,916 depends entirely on your partner's mood 151 01:05:02,916 --> 01:05:04,833 or their validation of you. 152 01:05:05,500 --> 01:05:07,958 If you're a work-centered person, your 153 01:05:07,958 --> 01:05:09,333 sense of success might 154 01:05:09,333 --> 01:05:10,583 fluctuate with your job 155 01:05:10,583 --> 01:05:12,750 title or your paycheck, which might leave 156 01:05:12,750 --> 01:05:14,916 you anxious during uncertain times. 157 01:05:15,500 --> 01:05:16,625 Or another one, if you're a 158 01:05:16,625 --> 01:05:18,208 friend-centered person, you 159 01:05:18,208 --> 01:05:20,291 may feel lost or even betrayed 160 01:05:20,416 --> 01:05:22,666 when friendships change or fade, leading 161 01:05:22,666 --> 01:05:23,916 to confusion about who 162 01:05:23,916 --> 01:05:24,833 you are without those 163 01:05:24,833 --> 01:05:25,791 social ties. 164 01:05:26,541 --> 01:05:27,291 Or how about this one? 165 01:05:27,541 --> 01:05:29,375 If you're an enemy-centered person, 166 01:05:29,791 --> 01:05:31,125 you're likely driven by 167 01:05:31,125 --> 01:05:32,833 resentment or the need to 168 01:05:32,833 --> 01:05:36,083 win in conflicts, letting competition and 169 01:05:36,083 --> 01:05:37,500 grudges shape your path. 170 01:05:38,416 --> 01:05:41,041 So Covey's point is not to shame us for 171 01:05:41,041 --> 01:05:42,750 these centers, okay, but 172 01:05:42,750 --> 01:05:44,666 to highlight how reactive 173 01:05:44,916 --> 01:05:45,875 they can make us. 174 01:05:46,333 --> 01:05:48,916 These alternative centers often shift 175 01:05:48,916 --> 01:05:49,791 with external 176 01:05:49,791 --> 01:05:52,000 circumstances, making it hard to 177 01:05:52,000 --> 01:05:54,583 stay balanced or find real satisfaction. 178 01:05:55,625 --> 01:05:57,875 And Covey contrasts this with the 179 01:05:57,875 --> 01:05:59,541 principle-centered life that we've been 180 01:05:59,541 --> 01:06:01,000 talking about, and that 181 01:06:01,208 --> 01:06:03,250 principle-centered life is built on 182 01:06:03,250 --> 01:06:04,375 timeless values like 183 01:06:04,375 --> 01:06:05,958 honesty, fairness, and respect. 184 01:06:06,833 --> 01:06:08,833 Now, when we center ourselves on these 185 01:06:08,833 --> 01:06:10,625 principles, Covey says we 186 01:06:10,625 --> 01:06:13,000 gain security that doesn't depend 187 01:06:13,000 --> 01:06:14,125 on the moods of others. 188 01:06:14,583 --> 01:06:16,458 It's guidance that comes from within. 189 01:06:16,833 --> 01:06:19,500 It's wisdom that sees beyond the moment. 190 01:06:19,875 --> 01:06:21,250 And it's a power that's 191 01:06:21,250 --> 01:06:23,583 proactive rather than reactive. 192 01:06:24,375 --> 01:06:25,916 Now Covey's call to action in this 193 01:06:25,916 --> 01:06:27,500 chapter is simple, but 194 01:06:27,500 --> 01:06:28,833 it's an important one. 195 01:06:29,333 --> 01:06:32,208 He says, "Identify your current center 196 01:06:32,208 --> 01:06:34,041 and ask whether it's 197 01:06:34,041 --> 01:06:35,208 giving you the stability 198 01:06:35,250 --> 01:06:37,166 and the clarity that you need. 199 01:06:37,708 --> 01:06:40,000 Are you living in reaction to someone 200 01:06:40,000 --> 01:06:42,000 else's expectations, or 201 01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:43,750 are you guided by principles 202 01:06:44,291 --> 01:06:45,375 that you've chosen?" 203 01:06:46,000 --> 01:06:47,416 Okay, here's your takeaway. 204 01:06:47,958 --> 01:06:49,833 By looking closely at your life support 205 01:06:49,833 --> 01:06:51,583 factors, as Covey puts it, 206 01:06:51,916 --> 01:06:53,458 you're not just naming your 207 01:06:53,708 --> 01:06:53,791 center. 208 01:06:54,750 --> 01:06:56,000 You're taking the first step in 209 01:06:56,000 --> 01:06:58,458 redesigning it, and that shift from 210 01:06:58,458 --> 01:07:00,125 reactive to principle-centered 211 01:07:00,166 --> 01:07:02,500 living is what truly unlocks your 212 01:07:02,500 --> 01:07:04,791 effectiveness and peace of mind. 213 01:07:05,833 --> 01:07:06,791 Hey, thanks so much for 214 01:07:06,791 --> 01:07:08,125 joining us today on Morning Serial. 215 01:07:08,541 --> 01:07:10,250 And as we wrap up today's episode, 216 01:07:10,500 --> 01:07:11,958 remember to embrace the 217 01:07:11,958 --> 01:07:14,291 audacity to hope and savor 218 01:07:14,291 --> 01:07:15,541 some cheese if that's your thing. 219 01:07:16,250 --> 01:07:17,791 We'll be back here tomorrow with more 220 01:07:17,791 --> 01:07:19,000 insights and more stories 221 01:07:19,000 --> 01:07:20,333 to start your day off with. 222 01:07:20,625 --> 01:07:22,333 Hey, have a fantastic day. 223 01:07:24,833 --> 01:07:26,583 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 224 01:07:26,583 --> 01:07:27,208 the Morning Serial 225 01:07:27,208 --> 01:07:28,833 podcast on the One Life 226 01:07:29,000 --> 01:07:29,833 Live It channel. 227 01:07:30,375 --> 01:07:32,291 You can find more episodes and videos by 228 01:07:32,291 --> 01:07:33,958 visiting our YouTube channel and the 229 01:07:33,958 --> 01:07:35,583 website at seaningless 230 01:07:35,916 --> 01:07:38,083 and at seaningless.com, where you can 231 01:07:38,083 --> 01:07:39,416 also follow our other 232 01:07:39,416 --> 01:07:40,958 podcast, the Mr. and Mrs. 233 01:07:40,958 --> 01:07:42,125 Inglis podcast and the 234 01:07:42,125 --> 01:07:43,125 Life Happens podcast. 235 01:07:43,958 --> 01:07:45,625 In these other podcasts, we'll dive 236 01:07:45,625 --> 01:07:47,000 deeper into everyday issues, 237 01:07:47,291 --> 01:07:48,041 self-improvement and 238 01:07:48,041 --> 01:07:50,541 well-being, business and finance, and we 239 01:07:50,541 --> 01:07:51,791 welcome special guests too. 240 01:07:52,291 --> 01:07:53,041 So join us. 241 01:07:53,041 --> 01:07:54,375 It'll be a good time, I promise. 242 01:07:55,083 --> 01:07:55,958 Thanks again for listening. 243 01:07:56,166 --> 01:07:57,708 Have a fantastic day and 244 01:07:57,708 --> 01:07:58,250 we'll see you tomorrow.