Tag: Celebration

EP – 100th Episode

Our time to catch up and celebrate

Well, it was bound to happen. This is my 100th episode of The Cool Grandpa Podcast!

In trying to think about what to do for my 100th show, I thought about putting together a collection of stories from past interviews. I had even thought about making the whole show just kind of a party by having some of the previous guests on to chat about where they are now in their Grandpa journey or what they have learned since our last conversation.

Neither of those other options seemed right to me, so I thought I would invite my good friend, Russell Wynne, to the show to interview me. I thought this would be a good way to catch new listeners on how and why I started the podcast. It would also let the audience know more about my road map for this Cool Granpa website and The Cool Grandpa podcast.

If you have been a long-time sufferer…er I mean, listener, thank you for your patience and support. If you are a newer listener, thanks for joining our fun and informative conversation.

I have included links below to Russell’s episode. I have also included links to Steve Owen’s and Erik K Johnson’s websites. I encourage you to check out their podcasts and to reach out to Erik if you are thinking of starting a podcast or if you could use some help in fine-tuning your existing podcast.

Once again, thank you to each of the podcast listeners and especially to all the guests I have had on the show. YOUR support and encouragement are what have made this journey so wonderful.

After you have listened to this episode, please remember to like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.

Links

Click HERE to listen to Russell’s conversation with me back on episode 8

Click HERE to listen to Steve Owens’ Fascination Street Podcast

Click HERE to visit Erik K Johnson’s website, Podcast Talent Coach

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

EP – 97 Grandparents Day

This is our monthly one-on-one.

Welcome into this pre-Grandparents Day conversation. The conversation is a bit short this week, but I am calling out a few things to remember about being a Grandfather and Grandparent.

First, not every relationship will be exactly like we would like it to be if your relationship is not where you want it to be with your adult child, spouse, partner, or even your grandchild. Do an assessment and be truthful about some of the things you might be doing to create friction in that relationship and then address those items.

BUT remember that sometimes the cause of friction or strain on a relationship MIGHT NOT be your doing. Remember that the growth and maintenance of a relationship is a two-way street; sometimes, the other person may need to make some course correction or effort to have a relationship with you. Whatever the case is, I AM NOT suggesting that you abandon your boundaries or your beliefs but rather do an inventory and see if you could have had a misstep that requires you to humble yourself to heal the relationship.

Second, remember that most of us Grandpas only want to share the good stuff, not the challenges we are going through with our relations. This isn’t an action that anyone should take as being dishonest but rather understand that most of us want to keep our ‘business’ to ourselves or within the family.

So, if you are talking to your friends or viewing social media, remember that they may be having similar challenges but keep that information behind their walls. If you want to be bold, be honest with your close friends and family about your struggles and challenges. Share appropriately, but I bet dollars to doughts that if you open yourself up and be venerable with your close associates, you might find hidden sources of wisdom and compassion that you didn’t know existed.

Finally, let’s remember to take September 11 and celebrate being a Grandpa and Grandparent. YOU have traveled a long and winding road to get to this point. Celebrate that you are old enough to be a grandparent and have had a long and rich experience to get you here. So, this Grandparents Day, go ahead, take a victory lap. YOU have earned it!

Please remember that after you have listened to this episode, like and subscribe to the show if you haven’t already. It would also be fantastic if you would share this podcast with a friend. Sharing is the best way to help me spread the word about the importance of grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren and families.

Links

Click HERE to order your copy of Rudder of the Day: Stories & Wisdom to Kick Start Your Workday.

Click HERE to sign up for a membership to The Long Distance Grandparent Society.

Click HERE to register for the week-long event that Grandparents Academy hosts from September 11-17.

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

Click Here to sign up for Grandparents 101. The first session is on Sept 8, so sign up today!

Ep – 88 Stop and Smell the Roses

Our monthly one-on-one conversation

Stop and smell the roses. No one knows where that phrase or sentence comes from. If you know, please leave me a comment below. I like discovering the origin story of some of our popular phrases and words.

I found that golfer Walter Hagen used the phrase frequently in my research. It makes sense that Walter is credited with helping Bobby Jones learn to control or deal with the stress of big-time golf.

For me, stopping and smelling the roses is a good reminder to slow down and appreciate where you are, where you have come from, and even where you are going. Too many times, grandpas and many other people have developed a kind of momentum where it is hard for us to hit pause. Even when you think you are relaxing and taking a minute, are you?

All of us need to learn to smell the roses. That pause we take is the best way I can think of truly allowing ourselves to appreciate the accomplishments in our lives. For most of us, our accomplishments are hidden and not celebrated in the way that maybe they should be public. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t need a special card for every little thing we do, but often there is no one around to congratulate us for our hard work.

Our spouses, friends, and other family members may occasionally acknowledge us, but do they know that you have been taking the stairs at work lately? Do they see you cutting out sugar or spending time each day writing that screenplay or novel? They may or may not. If you are like me, chances are you mention some of the things you are doing, but our little accomplishments get lost in the daily shuffle.

Let’s face it; sometimes, we don’t know how to communicate what might be a small victory from the outside is a massive win for us inside.

If you slow down once or twice a week to smell the roses, you need to use that time to celebrate your wins in your mind, no matter the size. This celebration helps set you up to keep moving forward toward your goals and your desired state of being, no matter what that is.

The other part of slowing down and smelling the roses is that it allows you to focus strategically on the challenges and opportunities in front of you. You may have started with a clear vision of how your week, month, and year would progress, but let’s face it, life happens.

Life happens. We know this, but if we don’t allow for course correction, ad hoc planning, or rallying tired troops (ourselves), we are on too tight a plan. Hitting the pause button lets us have a chance to check-in and think strategically about where we are and where we need to go next.

Others might have a different opinion, but I say using the pause button or smelling the roses is the perfect time to think and visualize what needs to happen next. There is plenty of time to write out goals, plans, action items, etc. but do this AFTER you stop and smell the roses. From that place of calm and positive energy, you WILL have a better frame of mind to create a winning plan.

How do you stop and smell the roses? What do you do to slow down and celebrate YOUR WINs and think about your next accomplishments? Leave me a comment below. I would love to learn what you are doing.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend. I want to share the good news about how everyone can grow and develop meaningful relationships.

Links

Click HERE to visit the Fascination Street Podcast – Remember to subscribe to this show. You will not regret it.

Click HERE to order your copy of The Success Principles

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.