I originally started this email/post with an emphatic “hey!”, but now my energy is zapped.
I feel tired because it’s 11:31pm as I write this newsletter.
I’ve spent the last 2 hours editing and captioning a 60 second clip I’ll use to promote the latest episode of the podcast I recorded with my friend Jared, who is the director of marketing at True Vine Brewing.
Then I remembered I wanted to get this newsletter to you this morning and hook somebody up with one of these stickers!
When I first imagined what this newsletter looked like, I thought it would be full of energy, an example of “strength” in the most obvious of ways.
But as I reflect on the thoughts I’ve shared and exchanged with others through the 5 episodes that were posted in April, I realize that there are a few other ways to view what “Strong Com” is.
4/1/19 Dedication
This was the kick off episode of a revolving series of solo episodes that explore the D.R.I.V.E. principles, 5 principles for a stronger mindset. I named it “Dedicated to” because of how important it is to “begin with the end in mind”, as Covey says in his book the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
I could have easily sunk 2+ hours into the new Nintendo Switch my lovely wife surprised me with a few days ago. But I couldn’t let the Strong Community down. Mario will have to wait because games don’t rank high on my list of what I’m Dedicated to. That isn’t to say I’m unappreciative. The Switch is a constructive past time for when my pendulum of ambition swings the opposite way.
Reflection:
Dedicate yourself to something and be disciplined in the pursuit of it.
Find a constructive inversion of your dedication that helps you balance the momentum.
4/7/19 Conversation with James Bowen, aka JB SPECIAL
I really enjoyed speaking with James on the podcast. This was the first time we’d ever spent time together away from one of his shows, and it was excellent getting to know him on a deeper level after admiring his work ethic for so long.
We had a great conversation about integrating paid professions with indwelling passion, and how to keep the pace of individual pursuits without getting burned out. Highly recommend this episode, and his music!
Reflection:
James put it best when he said on the podcast. “Strive to do 1% every day”.
4/13/19 Relationships - Building Connection, Removing Impurities
This was the second episode of the D.R.I.V.E. series. I think this series will really challenge me as it rotates every 5 episodes. But for now, it’s building blocks.
I’m coupling the first 5 episodes with the metaphor of the katana sword, the idea that our minds should be as strong as the sword carried by the powerful Samurai warriors. It’s been fun to learn about the process. I’m also experimenting with live video in this one, and I record some comments into the podcast.
Curious to know what your thoughts are…is Live interaction during podcast recording interesting to you? Or should the podcast just be the podcast?
Reflection:
Iron and Carbon are combined to make the blade of the katana. During the forging process, impurities must be hammered and folded away, or else the katana will be weakened.
As the swordsmith does with the katana, we should with our relationships.
4/20/19 Blogging Business and Church Marketing with Ken Reid
It was fun to speak with my friend Ken about the success he’s recently experienced blogging. There’s currently 1 billion + blogs on the internet today, making the thought of getting paid to write content you actually enjoy seem extremely daunting. But he’s done it! Just 2 years in, Ken has had his articles picked up by multiple online publications, including Relevant Magazine.
We also talked about search engine optimization and had a unique conversation about church marketing today. Visit his blog at www.honestchristian.org.
Reflection:
Sincerity is the crawl to authenticity’s walk.
4/28/19 DRIVE - Exploring Integrity
DRIVE post. Exploring integrity. And explore I did. This subject is so important but has always been difficult for me to put in words. This podcast went a tad longer than the other DRIVE episodes because of it, but if you want a real honest and unedited view of me thinking through things in real time, here’s an episode for you!
It isn’t all meandering though. This episode did cause me to dip into a book on my shelf, Aristotle for Everybody.
Reflection:
From Aristotle for Everybody - What do others have a right to expect from us? That we keep the promises we make to them. That we tell them the truth whenever telling a lie would hurt them in some way. That we return anything we have borrowed and promised to return. That we pay our debts to them. That we do not steal what belongs to them. That we do not injure their health, damage their bodies, or kill them. That we do not interfere with their freedom of action when their conduct in no way injures us. That we do not make false statements that would injure their reputation or give them a bad name.
Video
In addition to the podcasts, I was also able to complete a vlog of my trip to Lufkin for the ETX Market! ETX Market is a brainchild of Anne Brookshire, a former podcast guest, author and photographer. Her Instagram account is @amongthepinestx. Give her a follow!
You can watch the ETX Market Vlog by clicking this link: Click here!
Even if you don’t have time to watch the full video, please jump over there and click “subscribe” to the Strong Com channel there. I’m getting close to 1,000!
Sticker Winner!
Kat! You won the sticker! :) I’ll send you a message so I can get it to you.
In closing…
Strength isn’t merely about force, or power, or weights…
It’s about being steadfast.
Having an unwavering commitment.
And the humble understanding that when we’re at our strongest, we’re likely relying on the voice, the shoulder, or example of another.
Thanks you for reading. Thank you for listening. Thank you for watching.
Thank you for sharing. Your support means so much!
If you have any thoughts about this newsletter, feel free to reply to this email!
Talk soon,
Aaron