WeCasts

Happy New Year! Yet another calendar has turned the page into a bright and shiny new year. We are almost two decades into this new century and still every household holds to their own traditions to ring in the New Year. One of the most practiced annual habits it that of making resolutions. Do you make them? If so, why? And are you usually successful in that? We talk about time-honored holiday activities, and also discuss the idea of New Year resolutions. We’ll give you some ways to look at this idea, how you can make it work for you, and why it may not. What is the mindset which will help you be the *you* that you want to be in 2019?

**SPOILER ALERT** [This podcast is a bit longer than our others. Jim shares a very touching story with you around time marker 15:30… keep listening, you won’t want to miss it!] Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends and family who are celebrating this day! It is full of traditions, and culinary culture, and fond memories of holidays past. Every family has a favorite tradition – or two or three – that they observe annually on this very special day. From religious observances, to family get-togethers, and the food we anticipate, Christmas is all about rejoicing and celebrating. This week our conversation revolves about our own family traditions growing up in Christian households. Our fondest memories, most beloved activities and food… do any of them sound familiar to you?

Winter Solstice occurs on late on Friday December 21 this year which makes December 22 the first full day of winter in the northern hemisphere. It has ancient roots in many cultural traditions worldwide. Who celebrates it? Why? How? What is its history and connection to Christian celebrations? And what other cultures and peoples continue to celebrate it even today. Our discussion this week is all about the longest night of the year, when people around the world welcome the return of the Sun. Days will grow longer, and spring will inch its way closer and closer after this, the darkest night of the year.

Happy Holidays from the WeWan! We are now solidly into the holiday season, with Chanukah having just begun, solstice and Christmas coming up soon. This week we discuss the commercialization of this holiday gift gifting season and how we might reset our thinking. Ideas on how to bring the holidays back to a more simple time, with focus on what we are celebrating and why. Join us this week for an interesting and thought-provoking conversation about getting back to the basics during this season of joy and family.

This week we share with you trivia facts about the quintessential American tradition of Thanksgiving. What has become a day of gluttony, parades, and huge family get-togethers, really began as a humble coming together of hugely diverse cultures. Test your Thanksgiving wisdom in this fun WeCast. Maybe you'll learn a few fun facts you can share with your friends and family around the feast table this year. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Here at the WeWan, we would not exist without you. We are very grateful for your participation in our circle.

What would you do with a remote that controls time? Would you use it or destroy it; go into the future or past? In this week's thought-provoking discussion, we contemplate where in the past we would go, with whom we would visit, and whether it is of any benefit to become aware of, or control, the future. What would you do with a time remote control? To when would you travel, if at all? Is there a historic event you'd love to see in person? A figure you really want to meet? Family you miss and want to spend time with again? Leave us some comments with your thoughts. We'd love for you to join our discussion.

What's your favorite thing to do when you want to do... nothing? Or, should we say, when you want to relax and not have to think about work and obligations. This week we discuss our favorite things to do when it's time to slow down and do something fun. Everyone has their own unique way of "goofing off" and we share with you some of ours. When was the last time you "chilled?" And what did you do? What's most rejuvenating for you?

Do you like to get off the beaten path when you travel? How's your taste for adventure? This week we talk about some great road travel adventures that will inspire you to take a new look at your feelings on road trips. Where will your path take you? With whom? And when?

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever lived? How has it effected you and changed your view on life? This week we discuss the value of finding beauty in the places you live, play, and relax. From the hardwood forests of rural Ohio, to the verdant desert and saguaro forests of Arizona... if you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Have you ever run towards danger to save or help someone you've never met? Have you even been saved by someone you didn't know? Heroes walk amongst us. They are first responders, military, and everyday people who put their own lives on the line to save others. This week we discuss the phenomenon of these oft unsung heroes and why they do what they do.

Have you ever experienced a powerful recollection brought about by a simple smell or aroma? Does the smell of your mother's perfume bring you back to childhood? Or a walk through the pine forest bring back visions of Christmas's past? In this week's WeCast, we talk about how our sense of smell is connected to lifetime memories, both good and bad. Join us for the conversation...

Balance is the fifth Stepping Stone... the one to which the Foundation Four lead. This week, kiji tells the story of the Stone of Balance, why it is so important in our lives, and how it connects to the Four Stepping Stones. When we live life in balance, we have control of ourselves. Control of ourselves is all that we can achieve, for it is not our privilege to control anyone else. Fear is no longer something that conflicts us, we are in control of our time and schedule, we're joyful and know how to stay that way, and we know why we're here and what we're supposed to be doing with this gift of life.

Joy & Vision are the second two stepping stones. When you learn to master Joy, life opens to a bright and beautiful future. You smile and laugh with the abandon of a child. You have no guilt about being happy and doing the things that enforce that feeling. The future is without bounds, you begin to dream again. What have you always wanted to be or do? How will you make that vision happen? Believing in yourself, and knowing where you are going, leads to a practical plan for getting there. Join us this week as we discuss the Joys of life and how to obtain your lifelong purpose and dreams.

Learn about the first two Stepping Stones, Fear & Time. Until you learn to control Fear, it will continue to control *you.* We talk about 9/11 and the effect it had on our nation as it relates to engendering fear... as well as the brave first responders who are the epitome of how to control one's fear. During our discussion on time, we share with you our own personal experience of our cross-country move, and rebuilding a business that was on hold for a year. Most of us have insanely tight schedules, but you have the power of choice in how you deal with the stress of time demands. We teach you a new way of thinking about deadlines.

Join us for the premier of WeCasts! Join us every Tuesday for timely conversations on relevant topics. In this first edition, we introduce the concept of the Four Fundamental Stepping Stones and why they are so important in our lives. Until you learn to control Fear, you are helpless to move forward with any confidence and power. When you step away from Fear, you are the master of your own destiny. After Fear, you are confronted with the stress of Time – lack of it, powerlessness over it, others controlling it. When you learn to live outside of time and release the influence the clock has over you, the world is open to you. You are in control, and you accomplish more in less time... allowing you more quiet moments for yourself. Having mastered Fear and Time, you are ready to begin really enjoying life. You rediscover true Joy and learn how to keep it with you always. Rather than fleeting moments of happiness, you enter a state of relaxed contentedness. Now that you are not crippled with Fear, you have control of Time, and you know what makes you happy... You can afford the luxury of focusing on why you are here and what you are destined to do in this life. Vision is the awareness of that Life Purpose. From all these four stones, comes Balance. The ultimate goal.

Shawnee legend of how we are all connected by Creator.

Shawnee Elder, Jim Great Elk Waters, discusses the history and present of Native American spirituality, explains his own belief system of Midé, and engages the audience with traditional Shawnee storytelling. Recorded on 9/20/14 at Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio.