Why notice the road you're paving

Dear Why Team member,

Dear Why Team member,

I hope this week's message finds you well and encouraged.  Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully, these musings are serving you.

Well, at this writing, I am with my head in the clouds, literally, on a flight from San Francisco to Chicago.  After writing on all those wonderful people who assisted me in my travels last week, I couldn’t go without reflecting on the two speeches given over the last two days, and the wonderful people who attended - first in San Jose and the second at a Country Club in East Bay.

 Both audiences were so open and responsive.  A speech is a bit like a dance, it really takes two to tango. 

I am so grateful to all who attended and to the collective spirit that brought forth insights I have never ever shared from stage, much less some I have never even thought.

Such as thoughts of the man who hired me 28 years ago. It was much less about his financial offer and much more that he wanted me, uniquely me.  He became a father figure to me and thankfully worthy of that admiration.

My parents divorced when I was 11,

I was estranged from my father for the next 33 years of my life.  Gratefully, through a lot of growing up and professional help, I reconciled with my dad 15 years ago; truly a miracle.

My mother had irreconcilable differences with my dad, and I understood and accepted her stance since I had not walked a mile in her shoes.  Remember that old saying, “Don’t judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes”?  We would be well served to bring that one back. Written history teaches us much but, oral tradition is equally as valuable.  When I was a kid, I often heard people correct themselves after they became a bit nosey, literally say, “I’m sorry, that is none of my business”.  Wow, how good would that one be to bring back as well?!  Boundaries, healthy boundaries - so important!

Anyway, about a year after reconciling with my dad, I remember my mother saying to me, “honey, I never said anything bad about your father”, to which I responded, “I know mom, but you cut his head out of every family photo” 😂

Ahh, the highway to hell paved with good intentions.  Everyone is paving a road for others with their actions - in what direction does your road lead?

And if not a good direction, why are you paving it?

I pray and intend that my past two days’ messages helped build a Stairway to Heaven as opposed to a Highway to Hell.  It’s interesting how telling stories of our time on the road to Hell can help others find the stairs to Heaven. 

My first hired therapist/coach once said to me, “Steve, live your life, tell your story”.  And whether that audience is one or a hundred, it has been a wonderful journey and privilege to share it.  Sharing it has given me incredible perspective.  Every life is filled with lessons for others - and for ourself - lessons on what to do and certainly lessons on what not to do. 
We are all a work in progress. 

My latest speech is titled Live Your Best Life Ever - and in the creating and giving of it, I, no doubt, am being empowered to accomplish it all the more.  The following opening insight I share from stage reveals the key:

“I truly believe that our best life is lived by helping others to live their best life”. Just yesterday, an audience member after hearing me share this insight said, “Amen”!

And then we were off to the races together, opening, learning, feeling and growing.  Thank you to all who attended and Much Thanks to you, my fellow Why Team Member, for being a part of this effort to become better.

It is a privilege to bring forth all I can to assist you to live your

BEST LIFE EVER
One BEST DAY EVER at a time!

Cheers!

Steve Luckenbach

​https://www.instagram.com/steveluckenbach/
​