Wake Me Up: Morning Positivity - Morning Motivation - Make Your Life Your Argument

Episode Date: December 27, 2021

This morning, we delve into the inspiring words of Albert Schweitzer. Enjoying Wake Me Up? Get ad-free access to the entire WMU catalog + bonus content by joining the WMU Premium Feed. Sign up and start your 7-day free trial at https://wakemeup.supercast.com/. Follow the show on Spotify - Apple Podcasts - Podchaser Say hi or request an episode at www.wakemeuppodcast.com/contact. And find the podcast on Instagram and TikTok. **Only partake in the physical movements suggested in Wake Me Up episodes if you are physically able and in safe surroundings. All movements are done at the individual's own risk. Be safe, and always consult a doctor if you have any questions or concerns.** Have a wonderful day 😃 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you'd like to enjoy Wake Me Up completely ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content, check out the link in the show notes for the Wake Me Up premium feed. Hey there, friends. Good morning and welcome to Wake Me Up, the podcast where morning people are made. In this motivational bit, we'll dive into the life of Albert Schweitzer, who lived from 1875 to 1965. And specifically, we'll look at one of his more famous quotes, which I think you'll find wildly inspiring. It will encourage you to do what you say, to live what you preach, which I think is something we should all strive to do every day.

But before we get there, let's take a moment to wake up and press play on this day. This is a morning podcast after all. So whether you're in bed or you're up and about already, just pause for a second. Think of a reason you're excited to be alive today. What's something that gives you energy? Something that gives you a reason to show up and try your best. Now take a big breath in and feel that energy filling up your body. Hold your breath at the top.

and then take one more sip of air in. Release. Just let all of that go. And let's do that one more time. So inhale, filling all the way up, hold it at the top, and then take one more sip and exhale. If at any point today, you feel beat down, tired, like you just can't go anymore.

That's okay. It happens to all of us. And when it does, remember that reason you have to be excited today, to live fully. You know what? It's also a great reason to go ahead and get this day started. So if you're still in bed, roll over and make your way to standing up. Let's do one quick stretch to help wake the body up. So stand up straight, take a deep inhale and reach your hands to the sky.

Stretch as far as you possibly can. And then on your exhale, fold forward at your waist. Release everything and just relax down. You can sway from side to side or bend one knee and then the other. Or you can sit still. Do whatever feels right to you in this moment. Now slowly roll all the way back up to standing. And when you get there, roll your shoulders up and down.

Now you can feel free to start going about your morning. Make your coffee. Step outside for some fresh air. Whatever it is you want to do. And while you're doing that, I'll tell you about Albert Schweitzer. As a young man, he spent his time becoming a minister. He studied Christian theology, and after finishing school, he began to teach.

Albert was a multi-talented person. He was even a skilled concert organist who published heavily on the works of Bach. Now, before I get too far in, I want to say at the outset that I'm not trying to push any kind of religious or spiritual views. Those are inherently personal things,

and I'll never tell you what to believe in except yourself. So we'll focus on the principles that Albert lived by, the broader strokes of his life and his mindset, which are applicable to all of us. You see, when Albert began to teach theology, he became conflicted. Simply put, his views didn't align with the church. So he was faced with a dilemma.

To teach what he didn't believe, or to teach what he did believe, and cause pain to the institution that supported him and those who taught him. Albert decided he would do neither. Famously, he said, I decided that I would leave the seminary. Instead of trying to get acceptance for my ideas, involving painful controversy, I decided I would make my life my argument. I would advocate the things I believed

in terms of the life I lived and what I did. Instead of vocalizing my beliefs, I would attempt to have my life and work say what I believed. Instead of talking the talk, Albert decided to walk the walk. He realized that his actions would move, the world much farther forward than his words ever could. And this was certainly a positive choice, because he later became a doctor and dedicated years

of his life trying to bring then modern medicine, health care, and equal rights to groups of people who'd been exploited in Africa. He believed that reverence for life is the highest moral rule. And so, my friends, I encourage you to let your actions do the talking for you. People will always argue with you about beliefs and opinions, but an action has no opinion. An action has no beliefs. An action either is or is not. So consider how you can put your beliefs into action today, tomorrow, and for the rest of

your life. If you want to leave a mark, if you want to make this world better for you and your loved ones, your children and grandchildren, for the plants and animals we share this beautiful place with, consider what is most important to you. What are the highest values you hope to instill? And instead of telling everyone about it, do something that brings it forward. into the world. Figure out what is your why? What fuels you to get up every day? And how can you turn that into something positive to share with others?

How can you spread something good, something meaningful, something that you believe is important? And don't go around talking everyone's head off about it. Instead, do what Albert Schweitzer did and put it into action. Convince people with how you live your life, not by trying to prove it to them in words. Because no one ever wins an argument in words. The result is always just two angry hearts. So don't pick those battles.

The battle you can win is that of your own life. And the best way you can win over the hearts and minds of others to your cause, the best way to spread the things you care about, is to make your life your argument. That's all for today, friends. I'm so glad you chose to join me here for this episode, and I hope it's left you full of enthusiasm and passion for life. Before I say goodbye, I want to tell you quickly about a challenge

I'm doing starting January 1st. It's a seven-day challenge running the first seven days of the new year. And I hope you join me because what we'll be doing is getting our mindset right to make the most of the new year. So tell a friend or two who might want to come join in the fun, and I'll see you there on January 1st. Prove yourself with your actions and not your words. And have an absolutely fantastic.

day. I really hope you enjoyed this episode. A good morning is such a gift, isn't it? It's the key to a happier and more productive day and ultimately a better life. And that's why I make this show. So if you're enjoying it, why not send one of your favorite episodes to a friend? You never know. You might just make their day and change their life.