1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:04,125 Good morning and 2 01:00:04,125 --> 01:00:05,958 welcome to Morning Serial. 3 01:00:12,208 --> 01:00:13,041 Okay, good morning 4 01:00:13,041 --> 01:00:14,583 and welcome to Tuesday. 5 01:00:15,041 --> 01:00:17,291 Well, summer is starting to heat up down 6 01:00:17,291 --> 01:00:18,500 here in Texas at least 7 01:00:18,500 --> 01:00:19,875 and it's getting me thinking 8 01:00:19,916 --> 01:00:21,541 about some pool time, maybe 9 01:00:21,541 --> 01:00:23,166 some time on the golf course. 10 01:00:23,916 --> 01:00:25,250 I don't know what your preferred summer 11 01:00:25,250 --> 01:00:26,541 activity is, but I can tell 12 01:00:26,541 --> 01:00:28,208 you, given today is Tuesday, 13 01:00:28,708 --> 01:00:31,000 or one day closer to a Friday and that 14 01:00:31,000 --> 01:00:33,041 uninterrupted weekend for some of those 15 01:00:33,041 --> 01:00:34,250 fun summer activities. 16 01:00:35,083 --> 01:00:37,416 And today's lineup of national days is 17 01:00:37,416 --> 01:00:38,083 starting to make us 18 01:00:38,083 --> 01:00:39,416 think of summer too, okay? 19 01:00:39,750 --> 01:00:40,833 Here's the first one. 20 01:00:41,333 --> 01:00:43,666 It's Insect Repellent Awareness Day. 21 01:00:43,666 --> 01:00:45,583 That's very summery, so if you're headed 22 01:00:45,583 --> 01:00:47,458 outside, consider it a 23 01:00:47,458 --> 01:00:49,375 day where it's extra okay to 24 01:00:49,375 --> 01:00:50,583 smell like a citronella candle. 25 01:00:51,291 --> 01:00:53,500 And speaking of smelly candles, today is 26 01:00:53,500 --> 01:00:55,000 Love Conquers All Day. 27 01:00:55,541 --> 01:00:57,375 Hasn't everyone given or received a 28 01:00:57,375 --> 01:00:58,666 candle from your loved one? 29 01:00:58,958 --> 01:01:00,291 I mean, that's a thing, right? 30 01:01:01,041 --> 01:01:03,000 Either way, give your loved one a special 31 01:01:03,000 --> 01:01:03,958 hug this morning and 32 01:01:03,958 --> 01:01:05,791 maybe, maybe just maybe, 33 01:01:06,083 --> 01:01:07,125 it's time to text 34 01:01:07,125 --> 01:01:08,833 that old flame of yours. 35 01:01:09,291 --> 01:01:11,000 Or just give your dog an extra treat. 36 01:01:11,833 --> 01:01:13,458 And if those don't scratch your itch, 37 01:01:13,708 --> 01:01:15,625 it's also National Egg Day. 38 01:01:15,958 --> 01:01:17,666 Maybe start the day with a protein-packed 39 01:01:17,666 --> 01:01:19,458 omelet and finally, 40 01:01:19,458 --> 01:01:20,750 it's World Bicycle Day, 41 01:01:20,750 --> 01:01:22,541 so it's time to put down the car keys and 42 01:01:22,541 --> 01:01:24,416 feel that summer breeze in your face. 43 01:01:25,125 --> 01:01:25,916 Call on two wheels. 44 01:01:26,791 --> 01:01:28,666 All right, well, our quote today is from 45 01:01:28,666 --> 01:01:30,666 someone who loves repelling insects. 46 01:01:31,208 --> 01:01:34,000 It's from Anderson Cooper who said, "The 47 01:01:34,000 --> 01:01:35,625 truth is no one really knows what's going 48 01:01:35,625 --> 01:01:36,541 to happen in the future. 49 01:01:37,166 --> 01:01:38,208 That's why I try making 50 01:01:38,208 --> 01:01:39,541 the most of each moment." 51 01:01:40,791 --> 01:01:42,416 It's a reminder to embrace the 52 01:01:42,416 --> 01:01:44,458 uncertainty of life and to 53 01:01:44,458 --> 01:01:46,500 focus on what we can control, 54 01:01:46,833 --> 01:01:47,583 which is today. 55 01:01:48,500 --> 01:01:50,083 All right, speaking of today's, today's 56 01:01:50,083 --> 01:01:50,875 news facts and 57 01:01:50,875 --> 01:01:53,291 birthdays are for June 3rd, 58 01:01:53,500 --> 01:01:57,166 and in 1956 on this day, Rock and Roll 59 01:01:57,166 --> 01:01:59,208 was banned in Santa Cruz. 60 01:01:59,708 --> 01:02:01,125 Now authorities in Santa Cruz, 61 01:02:01,125 --> 01:02:02,833 California, they banned Rock 62 01:02:02,833 --> 01:02:04,416 and Roll at public gatherings. 63 01:02:04,666 --> 01:02:06,875 They deemed it, quote, "detrimental to 64 01:02:06,875 --> 01:02:08,208 both the health and morals 65 01:02:08,208 --> 01:02:09,958 of our youth and community." 66 01:02:10,416 --> 01:02:11,958 Well, I like a little bit of Rock and 67 01:02:11,958 --> 01:02:12,833 Roll and I think I 68 01:02:12,833 --> 01:02:15,000 turned out just fine, so maybe 69 01:02:15,041 --> 01:02:15,833 just a little 70 01:02:15,833 --> 01:02:17,250 sensitive there, Santa Cruz. 71 01:02:18,291 --> 01:02:21,500 Then on this day in 1965, astronaut Ed 72 01:02:21,500 --> 01:02:23,125 White, he performed the 73 01:02:23,125 --> 01:02:24,791 first American spacewalk 74 01:02:25,125 --> 01:02:27,458 during the Gemini 4 mission, stepping out 75 01:02:27,458 --> 01:02:28,041 into the void of 76 01:02:28,041 --> 01:02:29,791 space for over 20 minutes. 77 01:02:29,791 --> 01:02:30,375 There's a picture of 78 01:02:30,375 --> 01:02:31,416 him doing it right there. 79 01:02:32,458 --> 01:02:34,958 Then moving up to 1985, that's when CNN, 80 01:02:34,958 --> 01:02:37,333 they launched Larry King Live. 81 01:02:37,750 --> 01:02:38,958 I bet you thought I was going to say 82 01:02:38,958 --> 01:02:40,250 Anderson Cooper because he 83 01:02:40,250 --> 01:02:41,625 gave us our quote, but nope, 84 01:02:41,791 --> 01:02:43,750 Larry King Live, that was a talk show 85 01:02:43,750 --> 01:02:44,500 that would become a 86 01:02:44,500 --> 01:02:45,833 staple of American television 87 01:02:45,958 --> 01:02:47,125 for 25 years. 88 01:02:48,250 --> 01:02:51,625 Then finally in 1988 on this date, the 89 01:02:51,625 --> 01:02:53,125 movie Big starring Tom 90 01:02:53,125 --> 01:02:54,166 Hanks, well, it premiered 91 01:02:54,166 --> 01:02:54,875 in the US. 92 01:02:55,541 --> 01:02:56,916 I'm going to ask you, what's the one 93 01:02:56,916 --> 01:02:58,541 scene that you remember from that movie? 94 01:02:58,958 --> 01:03:00,208 I bet it's the same scene 95 01:03:00,208 --> 01:03:01,416 that everybody remembers. 96 01:03:01,416 --> 01:03:03,500 I know it's the one that I remember, and 97 01:03:03,500 --> 01:03:05,000 that's when Tom Hanks was 98 01:03:05,000 --> 01:03:06,708 dancing on that huge keyboard 99 01:03:07,166 --> 01:03:07,791 in the toy store. 100 01:03:08,375 --> 01:03:09,250 Again, if you're watching this on 101 01:03:09,250 --> 01:03:10,083 YouTube, there it is 102 01:03:10,083 --> 01:03:11,458 right there over my shoulder. 103 01:03:12,166 --> 01:03:13,000 Well, happy birthday. 104 01:03:13,000 --> 01:03:15,000 If today is your birthday, you share a 105 01:03:15,000 --> 01:03:16,666 birthday with a Spanish 106 01:03:16,666 --> 01:03:18,166 tennis legend with 22 grand 107 01:03:18,208 --> 01:03:20,875 slam titles, Rafael Nadal. 108 01:03:20,875 --> 01:03:22,375 He's 39 today. 109 01:03:23,166 --> 01:03:25,458 And Anderson Cooper, the CNN journalist 110 01:03:25,458 --> 01:03:26,041 and television 111 01:03:26,041 --> 01:03:27,541 personality that we've all grown 112 01:03:27,541 --> 01:03:30,583 to love on New Year's Eve, he's 57 today. 113 01:03:31,166 --> 01:03:33,083 And lastly, professional golfer and 114 01:03:33,083 --> 01:03:34,625 architect, Hale Irwin. 115 01:03:35,208 --> 01:03:36,583 He's 80 years old today. 116 01:03:37,541 --> 01:03:39,583 And the number one song on this date back 117 01:03:39,583 --> 01:03:43,291 in 1997 was Mm Bop by Hanson. 118 01:03:43,916 --> 01:03:46,166 Now I know everyone remembers this catchy 119 01:03:46,166 --> 01:03:46,750 little ditty 120 01:03:46,750 --> 01:03:48,208 performed by the three Hanson 121 01:03:48,291 --> 01:03:48,541 brothers. 122 01:03:49,291 --> 01:03:50,791 Well, the song, it became a global 123 01:03:50,791 --> 01:03:52,250 sensation, as we all know. 124 01:03:52,250 --> 01:03:53,583 It reached number one in multiple 125 01:03:53,583 --> 01:03:54,541 countries, earned 126 01:03:54,541 --> 01:03:56,208 multiple Grammy nominations. 127 01:03:56,875 --> 01:03:59,291 But if you really love this song, then 128 01:03:59,291 --> 01:04:00,666 you should know, and 129 01:04:00,666 --> 01:04:02,000 you probably do know, that 130 01:04:02,000 --> 01:04:04,833 Hanson, they released a new version of Mm 131 01:04:04,833 --> 01:04:08,875 Bop in 2023 called Mm Bop 2.0. 132 01:04:09,541 --> 01:04:10,875 Ooh, very creative there 133 01:04:10,875 --> 01:04:12,000 in that new title, Hanson. 134 01:04:12,500 --> 01:04:12,916 Nicely done. 135 01:04:14,041 --> 01:04:16,083 Well, let's bop right on into our book 136 01:04:16,083 --> 01:04:16,916 review segment here. 137 01:04:17,416 --> 01:04:20,250 We are in Stephen R. Covey's The Seven 138 01:04:20,250 --> 01:04:21,791 Habits of Highly Effective People. 139 01:04:22,291 --> 01:04:24,000 And today we're reviewing the sub 140 01:04:24,000 --> 01:04:27,083 chapter, Alternative Centers, which 141 01:04:27,083 --> 01:04:28,541 explores the underlying 142 01:04:28,583 --> 01:04:29,875 forces that shape our 143 01:04:29,875 --> 01:04:31,583 decisions and our lives. 144 01:04:32,166 --> 01:04:34,541 So Covey challenges us to identify what 145 01:04:34,541 --> 01:04:36,625 lies at the center of our 146 01:04:36,625 --> 01:04:38,833 lives, what truly guides 147 01:04:39,000 --> 01:04:39,291 us. 148 01:04:40,000 --> 01:04:41,500 Covey argues that many of us 149 01:04:41,500 --> 01:04:43,458 unconsciously, we build our 150 01:04:43,458 --> 01:04:45,166 lives around these alternative 151 01:04:45,291 --> 01:04:48,625 centers like family, work, money, 152 01:04:48,875 --> 01:04:50,416 pleasure, friends, enemies, 153 01:04:50,625 --> 01:04:52,833 even church, or even ourselves. 154 01:04:53,750 --> 01:04:55,583 Now these centers provide a sense of 155 01:04:55,583 --> 01:04:57,250 direction, feelings of 156 01:04:57,250 --> 01:04:59,291 temporary security or happiness 157 01:04:59,291 --> 01:05:01,875 even, but it's only to a point. 158 01:05:02,500 --> 01:05:04,541 Covey argues again that these alternative 159 01:05:04,541 --> 01:05:06,833 centers are inherently unstable. 160 01:05:07,625 --> 01:05:10,458 For instance, if we're entirely money 161 01:05:10,458 --> 01:05:11,625 centered, we're at the 162 01:05:11,625 --> 01:05:13,541 mercy of economic ups and downs. 163 01:05:14,250 --> 01:05:16,791 If we're spouse centered or family 164 01:05:16,791 --> 01:05:19,541 centered, any conflict or challenge in 165 01:05:19,541 --> 01:05:20,583 those relationships, 166 01:05:21,041 --> 01:05:21,750 they can leave us 167 01:05:21,750 --> 01:05:23,458 feeling lost or reactive. 168 01:05:24,333 --> 01:05:27,500 So Covey introduces four key principles 169 01:05:27,500 --> 01:05:28,958 that make up a principle 170 01:05:28,958 --> 01:05:30,625 centered life and their 171 01:05:30,625 --> 01:05:34,083 security, guidance, wisdom, and power. 172 01:05:34,791 --> 01:05:37,250 Now these principles are timeless as he 173 01:05:37,250 --> 01:05:38,708 likes to call them, and 174 01:05:38,708 --> 01:05:40,333 they are what allows us 175 01:05:40,333 --> 01:05:41,583 to move from reactive 176 01:05:41,583 --> 01:05:43,416 to proactive living. 177 01:05:44,208 --> 01:05:45,541 So here we're going to define each one of 178 01:05:45,541 --> 01:05:46,583 them just a little bit more. 179 01:05:46,833 --> 01:05:49,000 Security is our sense of worth. 180 01:05:49,000 --> 01:05:50,708 It's our identity and self esteem. 181 01:05:51,375 --> 01:05:53,791 If it's tied to something fleeting, then 182 01:05:53,791 --> 01:05:54,791 we're constantly 183 01:05:54,791 --> 01:05:56,666 seeking external validation. 184 01:05:57,333 --> 01:05:59,333 In a principle centered life, security 185 01:05:59,333 --> 01:06:01,708 comes from an unshakable 186 01:06:01,708 --> 01:06:03,500 alignment with values like 187 01:06:03,666 --> 01:06:04,875 honesty and fairness. 188 01:06:05,958 --> 01:06:09,166 Okay, guidance is our internal compass, 189 01:06:09,625 --> 01:06:11,083 and that helps us navigate 190 01:06:11,083 --> 01:06:12,666 the decisions and priorities 191 01:06:12,666 --> 01:06:13,458 in our lives. 192 01:06:14,041 --> 01:06:16,791 When we're centered on people or things, 193 01:06:17,041 --> 01:06:18,375 guidance can be clouded by 194 01:06:18,375 --> 01:06:19,916 emotions or outside pressures. 195 01:06:21,291 --> 01:06:23,875 Principles give us clarity, helping us to 196 01:06:23,875 --> 01:06:25,375 see what really matters. 197 01:06:26,125 --> 01:06:28,291 Okay, next is wisdom, and that's the 198 01:06:28,291 --> 01:06:29,625 ability to see beyond 199 01:06:29,625 --> 01:06:31,583 the immediate, to recognize 200 01:06:32,083 --> 01:06:34,583 patterns, consequences, and connections. 201 01:06:35,458 --> 01:06:37,958 Covey says, "Wisdom is the child of 202 01:06:37,958 --> 01:06:41,000 integrity, that simple alignment of 203 01:06:41,000 --> 01:06:42,416 purpose and principles." 204 01:06:43,750 --> 01:06:45,375 Now when we're principle 205 01:06:45,375 --> 01:06:48,458 centered, wisdom grows naturally. 206 01:06:49,500 --> 01:06:51,250 And finally here, power. 207 01:06:51,750 --> 01:06:53,625 Power is the capacity to act with 208 01:06:53,625 --> 01:06:55,041 confidence and purpose. 209 01:06:55,625 --> 01:06:58,416 It's not control over others, but it's 210 01:06:58,416 --> 01:07:00,625 the ability to live deliberately. 211 01:07:01,375 --> 01:07:04,083 A principle centered life fuels that kind 212 01:07:04,083 --> 01:07:06,625 of authentic, grounded power. 213 01:07:07,625 --> 01:07:09,958 Covey says, "Whatever is at the center of 214 01:07:09,958 --> 01:07:11,458 your life will be the 215 01:07:11,458 --> 01:07:13,375 source of your security, 216 01:07:14,000 --> 01:07:16,041 guidance, wisdom, and power." 217 01:07:17,250 --> 01:07:19,291 Now that's a pretty heavy truth to 218 01:07:19,291 --> 01:07:20,666 swallow if you really 219 01:07:20,666 --> 01:07:21,916 take that to heart, right? 220 01:07:22,208 --> 01:07:24,875 He's saying that if your center isn't 221 01:07:24,875 --> 01:07:26,208 rock solid, if it's 222 01:07:26,208 --> 01:07:27,458 built on something outside 223 01:07:27,833 --> 01:07:29,958 of your control, then you're going to 224 01:07:29,958 --> 01:07:31,166 feel like you're always 225 01:07:31,166 --> 01:07:32,750 playing catch up, never 226 01:07:32,750 --> 01:07:33,958 really at peace. 227 01:07:34,791 --> 01:07:36,541 Okay, here's the takeaway. 228 01:07:37,625 --> 01:07:38,750 Covey's message here is 229 01:07:38,750 --> 01:07:40,250 simple, but it's profound. 230 01:07:40,958 --> 01:07:42,500 The center of your life 231 01:07:42,500 --> 01:07:44,416 determines everything else. 232 01:07:45,083 --> 01:07:46,833 If you're centered on something external 233 01:07:46,833 --> 01:07:48,916 and temporary, your mood 234 01:07:48,916 --> 01:07:50,250 and your sense of purpose 235 01:07:50,250 --> 01:07:52,458 will swing with every up and down. 236 01:07:53,625 --> 01:07:55,791 When you're centered on principles, those 237 01:07:55,791 --> 01:07:57,000 values that don't 238 01:07:57,000 --> 01:07:58,208 change with the headlines 239 01:07:58,625 --> 01:08:01,666 or your social circle, you build a life 240 01:08:01,666 --> 01:08:02,500 that's not only 241 01:08:02,500 --> 01:08:05,083 effective, but deeply fulfilling. 242 01:08:05,916 --> 01:08:08,666 So today, take a moment to ask yourself, 243 01:08:09,083 --> 01:08:11,250 what's at the center of your life? 244 01:08:11,958 --> 01:08:14,000 Well, feel free to have a second cup of 245 01:08:14,000 --> 01:08:15,250 coffee before you jump 246 01:08:15,250 --> 01:08:16,666 into that serious homework. 247 01:08:17,333 --> 01:08:18,375 Hey, thanks for joining 248 01:08:18,375 --> 01:08:19,666 us on Morning Serial today. 249 01:08:20,000 --> 01:08:22,083 Enjoy riding a bike today or spending 250 01:08:22,083 --> 01:08:23,458 time with loved ones. 251 01:08:23,875 --> 01:08:24,791 And we'll see you back here 252 01:08:24,791 --> 01:08:26,708 tomorrow with another full pour. 253 01:08:27,291 --> 01:08:28,541 Have a fantastic day. 254 01:08:30,416 --> 01:08:32,166 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 255 01:08:32,166 --> 01:08:32,791 the Morning Serial 256 01:08:32,791 --> 01:08:34,416 podcast on the One Life 257 01:08:34,583 --> 01:08:35,416 Live It channel. 258 01:08:35,958 --> 01:08:37,875 You can find more episodes and videos by 259 01:08:37,875 --> 01:08:39,541 visiting our YouTube channel and the 260 01:08:39,541 --> 01:08:41,166 website at seaningless 261 01:08:41,500 --> 01:08:43,666 and at seaningless.com, where you can 262 01:08:43,666 --> 01:08:45,000 also follow our other 263 01:08:45,000 --> 01:08:46,541 podcast, the Mr. and Mrs. 264 01:08:46,541 --> 01:08:47,708 Inglis podcast and the 265 01:08:47,708 --> 01:08:48,708 Life Happens podcast. 266 01:08:49,541 --> 01:08:51,208 In these other podcasts, we'll dive 267 01:08:51,208 --> 01:08:52,583 deeper into everyday issues, 268 01:08:52,875 --> 01:08:53,625 self-improvement and 269 01:08:53,625 --> 01:08:56,125 well-being, business and finance, and we 270 01:08:56,125 --> 01:08:57,375 welcome special guests too. 271 01:08:57,875 --> 01:08:58,625 So join us. 272 01:08:58,625 --> 01:08:59,958 It'll be a good time, I promise. 273 01:09:00,666 --> 01:09:01,541 Thanks again for listening. 274 01:09:01,750 --> 01:09:03,291 Have a fantastic day and 275 01:09:03,291 --> 01:09:03,833 we'll see you tomorrow.