This the first post in a series highlighting the books on Laura’s Reading List (found in the back of Two Mothers One Prayer)
There’s no mistake that Kevin Hall’s book Aspire: Discovering Your Passions with the Power of Words is at the top of the list! Other than the fact the list is in alphabetical order, Aspire also deserves to be at the top of the list! If it weren’t for Aspire, I wouldn’t have such an awesome foreword for Two Mothers One Prayer written by Kevin.
I met Kevin Hall in Florida in October 2010. Kevin came to speak at Bob Proctor’s LifeSuccess Consultant training. At the end of his presentation, when I lined up for Kevin to personal sign my copy of his book Aspire, I made sure to be that last person in line to grab a few extra minutes with Kevin. I will never forget that moment. I kept hanging around until everyone else had gone forward so I get to know Kevin a bit more.
Fast forward 4 years later, I was just finishing up writing my own book Two Mothers One Prayer and was praying about who I should ask to write the foreword. I already had Chris and Janet Attwood, Marci Schimoff, Bob Proctor and Jack Canfield as mentors and I could have asked any one of them but the answer I received was Kevin Hall. I remembered that the same year Celeste was diagnosed I had heard that Kevin’s daughter Summer underwent brain surgery to removed a benign tumour. I knew he and his wife Sherry knew the journey a parent goes on when your child has to be rushed into surgery.
But besides that fact, I loved Kevin’s book Aspire because of what it taught me about love and compassion and empathy. Kevin introduced me to my favourite quote:
“Our character has been forged in the furnace of adversity. We know what pain feels like. We cannot change the past. However, we can choose to use these reference points as a rich resource to assist us in better understanding and connecting with people. When we use our life experiences in the service of others, we will finally find purpose in our suffering, joy in our journey, and much needed healing in our souls.” — Dave Blanchard
He taught me about ‘Genshai’ – Never treat another person in a manner that would make them feel small. It is such an important lesson, one we need to remember when we are frustrated, tired, grumpy, scared and worn out from all the stress. When we don’t know how to properly love all those around us, those who are serving us and bringing us bad news, then Genshai sums it up. There is one more part to Genshai – never treat another person in a manner that would make them feel small – including yourself! You mustn’t forget to love yourself during it all, be forgiving of your own mistakes, and take care of yourself too. Not always easy to do but necessary for your own well being.
There is so much more to the book Aspire. Kevin shares a multitude of different words and their meaning to bring more focus on the important things in life. Words such as Leader and Pathfinder, Passion and compassion, Humility, Empathy, Coach and Integrity. Words from other languages: Namaste, Sapere Vedere, Shoshin and Ollin. I encourage you to enjoy Kevin’s talented storytelling about Victor Frankl, Pravin Cherkoori, Arthur Watkins, Chad Hymas, and two time gold medal Olympic champion Peter Vidmar and discover for yourself the power of words. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.