Pivoting Into the Perfect Gift

09/15/21 • 39 min

Stephen Watts and his wife owned a successful jazz club in Downtown Denver. He also was a successful musician, touring with a band he helped create. He and his wife hosted multiple international events in their club. Then COVID hit. Suddenly his opportunities to tour, play music and run his business went away. He and his wife struggled to keep their business viable. But like so many others, they had to close.
With few options for work, he had to find a way to pay bills. He accepted a job or "side hustle" as he calls it. He began delivering flowers. During one delivery he found a new opportunity to do his unique ministry of speaking to and helping other alcoholics begin their journey of recovery, as he had done many years before.
In this interview, Stephen unpacks some of the gifts he received even in a time when the world, his in particular, seemed to be disintegrating before his eyes. His words of encouragement, inspiration and faith are a wonderful example of how to look, even in the dark times, for the gifts God is offering. His gifts are always perfect.
If you wish to check out some of Dotsero's music, see below.
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero https://dotseroband.com
The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com

Previous Episode

Pivoting in Mid-Air

Jerry Schemmel told himself, "If you are dead, you are not going to be able to do anything. But if you are not, if you happen to survive and are not hurt seriously, don't panic. Don't flee the plane but try to help other people and stay calm."
Those were his thoughts the last two minutes before the plane crashed. He did survive, and he did help others out. But he also witnessed the death of many around him.
In this episode Jerry relates what it was like to spend forty-five minutes knowing that the plane was going to crash, and not everyone was going to walk away. He talks about survivor's guilt, dealing with the post traumatic effects and how he pivoted in his life into a ministry to take his story to others who have suffered trauma.
He also encourages others in his book, "Chosen to Live: The Inspiring Story of Flight 232 Survivor, Jerry Schemmel." You can find that at Amazon Books.com
"The Pivot" composed and performed by Gabriel Tafoya. You can reach him at [email protected]
The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

Next Episode

Pivoting Our Attitudes

It would not be uncommon for a person blessed with multiple gifts and talents to use those for their own fame, calling attention to their accomplishments. But that is simply not the case or intentions of my guest today, Deonte Bolden.
This actor, author, play write, producer and podcaster has a completely different take on how his gifts should be used. And he shows that in his many productions and two books. In discussing his latest book with me today on my podcast he explains that the real fulfillment for him comes when he hears or sees that his work has made a difference in calling attention to and raising awareness of issues we need to address in our societies.
His latest book, “Differently Abled” does just that. Relating his own experiences of watching what life was like for his older brother, Jaquan, Deonte chronicles truths, dismisses myths and encourages readers of all ages to understand that people with disabilities “Have big hearts, are intelligent and have feelings too.” Although a children’s book by design, this work and his words call all of us at any age to begin pivoting our attitudes while modeling that bullying and exclusion are unacceptable.
To find more on Deonte including where to buy his books go to
Instagram.com/DeonteBoldenProductions
Facebook.com/deonteboldenproductions
www.deonteboldenproductions.com
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero https://dotseroband.com
The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com