Gratitude Stories Matter

11/13/24 • 49 min

This month, November, I am bringing on two guests who remind us of the power of gratitude even in these difficult, divided and tumultuous times. The gentleman who is my first guest in November, Stephen Ray Watts, shares with me and my audience today about how his life, ministry and music have been influenced by having a grateful heart. If you recognize the name, that is because this is one of the musicians who has lent his music to me for the purpose of enriching this podcast for the last four seasons.
Sharing from his personal journey of sobriety for 15 years, Stephen says that gratitude is a secret weapon. He tells us if we give thanks for everything, even in those things we see as not good for us, we find that we open up a realm of blessings that will flow in many different ways. So how do we do this? According to Stephen, we ask God to show us how to give thanks and help us navigate through the tough times as well as not so tough times. Walking into submission for what God has for us is one way we can see these blessings.
Stephen gives an example of how he processed loss when his jazz club in Denver closed during COVID. He ended up delivering flowers to a detox facility and found a new ministry by helping those who are seeking recovery from alcohol addiction. To this day, he volunteers time and energy to speak with and encourage those walking the road to sobriety. He shares his experience, strength and hope.
By telling a story of what he saw was a disastrous performance experience, he states he discovered that the vanity of chasing the wind of ego is indeed unfulfilling. Letting go of his ego and allowing God to use him even in a situation where his expectations for a fantastic performance were not met, he realized the freedom of humility by releasing his need for the accolades that he has allowed to define him for many years. Prior to that experience he states, "I have spent my entire life trying to be somebody instead of just being." So many of us in the arts can fall into the trap of allowing people and an accomplishments define our purpose and worth.
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com
The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/

Previous Episode

When Relationships Suffer Estrangement

My guest today is Michelle Rohlf, and she is granting me another interview to follow up her interview in May of 2023. In our last session, Michelle and I discussed the pain of having a child estrange themselves from us. She described her journey through her healing process and writing a book that chronicled that process.
Today, Michelle describes how her work has helped her and others. She says that while writing the book, "Losing Her, Finding Me" (info below) she learned not only about herself, but about her child's journey too. She describes finding understanding about her own behavior and responsibility in the estranged relationship. Additionally, in looking at her daughter's story, she came from bitterness, anger and resentment into compassion and understanding. Perhaps most importantly, Michelle teaches us that it is important when healing to look at what we had control over and what we did not.
Although a big part of healing ourselves and our relationship is to take responsibility for our part in the conflict, it is also true to honestly be willing to forgive ourselves and remember what we are not responsible for as well. Once Michelle could objectively see all elements in the equation, she was able to heal to the point of offering and accepting forgiveness of herself and her daughter. Today, her relationship with her estranged child is healed and on healthy terms.
By sharing her story, she has helped other parents online as well as in speaking engagements, book signings and personal ministering. She shared some of her book reviews and said that she has received many letters thanking her for her willingness to tell her story so others could begin to heal and move forward in their own.
Michelle encourages others in this situation to reach out for support. She mentions various groups that offer support including a group on Facebook called "PEAC" Parents of Estranged Adult children.
To learn more about Michelle, her book, her work with helping parents who are estranged from their children, look for her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Amazon by typing her name, Michelle Rohlf. Where she is available on these sites will come up. Or you can go to [email protected], or her website at https://michellerohlf.com
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero https://dotseroband.com
To connect with Laura Padgett to to https://lauralpadgett.com

Next Episode

Gratitude in All Things

My guest today, Beatrice Bruno, the Drill Sergeant of Life, joins me as we explore the idea of gratitude in all things. She talks about being thankful for each day and the opportunities she has been given by God, including her very life. As the author of books on various topics, including grief, Beatrice shares helpful hints on how to navigate life's ups and downs through being grateful at all times. For example, she reflects on how a person came to just sit with her after the passing of her husband, John, several years ago. In the encounter, she says the lady just sat with her and felt no need for words but gave Beatrice the gift of her presence.
As Beatrice travels the country, she tells stories of her journey including her experiences of life in the military. She also talks about her gratitude for the words of a young woman who thanked her for instruction and words that Beatrice had shared with her many years previously, when she was just a child. She emphasizes that this is why our stories matter, because we never know when something we share with another person will result in a positive influence in their life.
She shares her passion for continuing to move forward. She encourages us to remember that God will direct us in the ways He wants us to go. Please listen to her talking about now, at age 65, going back to school in pursuit of a life long dream. She will inspire all listeners to reach for your heart's desire as well.
I asked her if she would like to leave any of us with some final thoughts and she said, "As we come into this season of Thanksgiving, let's just be thankful all year around. There is something to be thankful for every day of our lives. As we show that thankfulness to God, he is able to pour into us everything we need so we are able to continue on the path He has laid out before us and continue to do the work He has given us to do.
To reach out to Beatrice or read her books go to http://www.drillsergeantoflife.com
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com
The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/