pixel
God Made A Dog

God Made A Dog

Every dog lover must watch this! If you don’t have a dog, you’ll want one after watching this. If you have a dog, you’ll go hug it. It’s so true, while also being inspiring and a bit humorous. We as humans can only aspire to be 10% as good and...
If We Could See Inside Other People’s Hearts

If We Could See Inside Other People’s Hearts

As we look at the lives of others, our own life and purpose becomes clearer. This video – in just 4 minutes – helps us see that everyone has their burdens and joys. In our day-to-day lives, we just don’t get the chance to see them, but this video...
Now Is the Perfect Time to Stretch a Little

Now Is the Perfect Time to Stretch a Little

I am not an athlete. And at age 72, I’m perhaps not the typical client who would seek out a professional stretching clinic. In fact, stretching clinics are relatively new to New Hampshire, and when I tell people how stretch therapy has enhanced my life, many...
It Only Takes a Spark…

It Only Takes a Spark…

It Only Takes a Spark… A hymn that has stuck with me from my childhood includes the phrase, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” I’ve always believed that one of my purposes in life is to be a spark – to light the fire that inspires others...
The Story That Almost Wasn’t

The Story That Almost Wasn’t

We all loved the amazing movie Toy Story, but did you know that it almost didn’t happen? Anyone who has made big things happen knows that making dreams come true doesn’t happen over night. They’re often met with obstacles and can sometimes seem...
I Don’t Often Ask, But I Need Your Help

I Don’t Often Ask, But I Need Your Help

I Don’t Often Ask, But I Need Your Help My new book, “Be Amazing” will be released on January 7th, 2020. It’s being published by SKYHORSE, and distributed by Simon and Schuster. This is my first book to be published by a major publisher, and my editor, Abigail...
We Need This Reminder: It’s A Wonderful World

We Need This Reminder: It’s A Wonderful World

Today, more than ever, we need reminders of the beauty which abounds us in this world. With so many people hurting and struggling to make sense of the suffering going on around us, this beautiful song by Louis Armstrong continues to be a favorite and is such a...
A Life Lesson: The Fisherman and the Business Man

A Life Lesson: The Fisherman and the Business Man

What if all our effort is focused on the wrong thing? We spend every day of our lives trying to get ahead. Our focus is so strong on becoming successful that we forget what success really is. This is a great lesson! The Fisherman and the Business Man There was once a...
Don’t Let Anyone Underestimate Your Potential

Don’t Let Anyone Underestimate Your Potential

Many of us just see Thomas Edison as the genius who brought us the light bulb, among several other things. We figure he must have always been the smartest in his class and excelled at everything he did without much effort. This clearly was not the case for Thomas...
It Doesn’t Take Much To Be Kind

It Doesn’t Take Much To Be Kind

Begin with Yes is all about taking small steps to get to a larger goal. It’s all about being kind to yourself and others and making the world, your world, a better place. The man in this video emulates all of that and then some. By engaging in random acts of...
“A Colored Man in Exeter”

“A Colored Man in Exeter”

This is one of the best short stories I’ve read in a long time! It’s by Michael Cameron Ward, a new author from New Hampshire who’s documenting many of his family’s stories as shared by his parents. This is a preview of his book, which is...
Entire Neighborhood Learns Sign Language

Entire Neighborhood Learns Sign Language

Communication is a necessity that oftentimes is complicated. There can be communication barriers even when people speak the same language. For people who are hearing impaired, communication barriers are faced every day as society is built around the ability to...
Things a Dog Lover Should Never Forget

Things a Dog Lover Should Never Forget

My dog Toby brought so much love into our home. He also brought lots of compassion, patience, learning, and many other things that we tend to take for granted. This video reminded me of the wonderful daily interactions Toby and I have together, and how he has taught...
101 Year Old Albina Teaches Us To Wonder!

101 Year Old Albina Teaches Us To Wonder!

Children provide a reminder of how to view every-day things with a new perspective. Through their eyes we can learn to regain some of our own sense of wonder. They help us see that it’s important to appreciate the little things and special moments that make life...
Little Free Pantry Helps Those In Need

Little Free Pantry Helps Those In Need

If you are familiar with Begin with Yes, then you are familiar with our philosophies of small steps creating big change, and being kind to others. Little Free Pantry, a movement started just this May of 2016, shares those philosophies. Little Free Pantry is exactly...
10 Things To Remember When You Feel Stuck

10 Things To Remember When You Feel Stuck

It is very easy to feel like life is moving at too fast of a pace and you are just left behind, trying to keep your head above water. We’ve all been there, but we’ve all gotten ourselves back up and going with the flow, too. The truth is, life does move...
The Unknown Can Be Scary… or Exhilarating!

The Unknown Can Be Scary… or Exhilarating!

Diving into the unknown can be a scary thing… or it can be exhilarating! Our experience of things is largely based on our attitude. If our attitude is that experiencing something new would be scary, then we’re likely to develop fear, which will hold us back from...
You’re Stronger Than You Think!

You’re Stronger Than You Think!

If you’ve been with Begin with Yes for a while then chances are you’ve already discovered that you’re much stronger than you thought! And if you’re just joining us, you’ll be discovering that sooner than you think.  It’s funny, isn’t it?...
Bette Nash: The 80-Year-Old Flight Attendant!

Bette Nash: The 80-Year-Old Flight Attendant!

What an inspiring story! When Bette was 21-years-old, she realized what she wanted to do for a career, made it happen, and now 59 years later she is still doing what she loves. When asked why she is still working, she says she considers it her social life, and she...
The Things That Dads Can’t Do

The Things That Dads Can’t Do

Watch this video and listen to a little girl list off all the things her dad can’t do. She’s amazed that dads can even survive in this world since they can’t do so many things!Beyond the cute message of this video is the message that dads sacrifice a...
A Journey to Motherhood – Introducing Noah Skye!

A Journey to Motherhood – Introducing Noah Skye!

My friend Susan had her first grandchild recently. Her daughter wanted her to be there to share in the experience and help capture some memorable moments. It was a time filled with lots of emotion and love, as she helped her daughter bring a new life into the...
Finding The Courage To Take The First Step

Finding The Courage To Take The First Step

This is a very inspirational video. Each person has their own story, but collectively their stories transcend all obstacles. If you feel stuck in the pursuit of your dream, watch these people and imagine the individual struggles that got them to where they are...
Piano Playing Power Couple

Piano Playing Power Couple

No one particularly enjoys going to the doctor, but while waiting for your appointment wouldn’t it be nice to be entertained by this piano playing power couple?Fran and Marlow Cowan decided to give the patients at the Mayo Clinic an impromptu piano recital, and...
10 Rules To Live By

10 Rules To Live By

We’ve all heard of the power of positive thinking. Whether you believe that this school of thought can truly change your life, you should believe it can change your day, or at least your current mood.Sometimes, it is necessary to take a step back and evaluate...
Sometimes Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Sometimes Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine, especially when you are stuck. It is important to take a step back and evaluate how you are feeling. Many times, you may realize that there is something to smile (or laugh hysterically) about.No matter how stuck you are,...
Life Lessons From Rocky

Life Lessons From Rocky

Many of us have at least seen the original Rocky movie and been inspired by the rising underdog story. Rocky, no matter how many times he was literally beaten down, always got back up because he believed he still had more to prove and more steps to take. He never took...
This Girl Is Amazing – You Can Be Amazing Too!

This Girl Is Amazing – You Can Be Amazing Too!

Finding your passion is easier for some than others. We all have talents, but they develop at different stages in life for each of us. Discovering and developing your talent is one thing, but building a life around it is another. It takes committing yourself and...
Find Success In Helping Others Succeed

Find Success In Helping Others Succeed

It is always such a breath of sweet, fresh air when I see someone as young as Michael Davies with the life knowledge of a well-seasoned adult. And not only does this high-schooler have that knowledge, but he’s shared it with a large group of people! He gives...
A Synchronized Stairway To Heaven

A Synchronized Stairway To Heaven

I lost track of how many steps it took to complete this routine somewhere between 50 and 50,000! This is an amazing video of a Spanish synchronized swimming team performing the most unique version of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” that...
Random Acts Of Kindness Bred From ALS

Random Acts Of Kindness Bred From ALS

Here is another inspiring example of how when you change someone else’s life, you change your own. Once you see how much of a difference you can make in someone else’s day just by extending a smile, a kind word, or a moving thought, you’ll be...
Baby Sees His Mom For The First Time

Baby Sees His Mom For The First Time

It can sometimes be human nature to take basic functions of the body for granted. Unless of course, you have never even had a chance to take them for granted.Leo was born with a rare vision disorder, and was not able to see anyone for the first four months of his...
Pay Attention Before The Parade Passes By

Pay Attention Before The Parade Passes By

Being happy is more often about where we choose to focus than it is about our circumstances. There are people surrounded by blessings which should make them feel happy, but instead they focus on things that make them feel unhappy. Then there are others surrounded by...
What Makes YOU Grateful?

What Makes YOU Grateful?

It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when you have a lot on your plate and nothing seems to be going right. It is always important to show gratitude with everything that you do, and remember that even in your darkest hours, there is always something to be...
Navy Veteran Turned Tap Dancer

Navy Veteran Turned Tap Dancer

This is such a powerful video proving that you are never too old to check things off your bucket list.A seasoned veteran of the United State Navy decided that at the age of 85, he wanted to learn how to tap dance. So what did he do? He went out and signed up for...
The World’s Oldest Flash Mob!

The World’s Oldest Flash Mob!

You’re never too old to dance, and this fabulous group of seniors proves just that!On a busy afternoon at a shopping center in New Zealand, shoppers are hustling, bustling and minding their own business. Then music starts and a single woman starts dancing....
Live Like You Were Dying – The Bucket List

Live Like You Were Dying – The Bucket List

Time passes so quickly. We all have dreams and aspirations, then we get caught up in life and before you know it years have passed and they seem a bit more distant. Other’s priorities creep in and we spend a good part of our lives doing things that aren’t...
A Father-Daughter Dance Like No Other

A Father-Daughter Dance Like No Other

Think about something you’ve always wanted to do and ask yourself why you haven’t done it yet. Is it because you’ve never had enough time, enough money, enough courage, enough skill? Enough with “enough”! There are always going to be...
The Magic of Disney: Shadow Edition

The Magic of Disney: Shadow Edition

Who of us hasn’t ever dreamed of being a princess, a warrior, or a king? I am willing to bet that each and every one of us have daydreamed about it at least once. Maybe those daydreams only occurred when you were a child, but this event in a shopping mall...
Mental Illness Battled with PeaceLove

Mental Illness Battled with PeaceLove

PeaceLove is an organization that supports mental illness by helping people create works of art to express themselves. So many people in this world struggle with some form of mental illness, and many do not know what to do to help themselves.Jeff Sparr found that in...
A Little Girl And Her Duck

A Little Girl And Her Duck

What do you do when someone tells you that your dream isn’t real? Do you find the courage to continue believing and move forward anyway? Watch the story of Kylie Brown and Snowflake the duck. Their bond is indisputable, and she swears she’s his mom. You...
Life = Risk… And It’s So Worth It

Life = Risk… And It’s So Worth It

Some of the most influential people in history were told – numerous times by numerous people – that they would fail and they should just stop trying. And then they went on to do something great. These people knew their potential, followed their passion,...
Find Your Grit – We All Have It In Us

Find Your Grit – We All Have It In Us

Teachers make children learn in many ways. One of them is to make them consider their own thoughts about important topics such as, “What qualities does it take to succeed in life?” For 11 year old Ian Gurholt it’s grit. He says, “What is the...
Teacher Spends Her Life Savings On A Bus – At 77!

Teacher Spends Her Life Savings On A Bus – At 77!

Would you put it all on the line for a dream… at the age of 77!? This is an amazing story of of a woman, who as a girl, picked beans in the segregated fields of the south. She went on to go to college, become a teacher, and teach for 50 years. And then at the...
A Wonderful Act Of Kindness By The NYC Ballet

A Wonderful Act Of Kindness By The NYC Ballet

Natalia Armoza’s daughter, Pearl, has Cerebral Palsy. One day, while wishing that her daughter could take part in activities like most other children, she decided to write a letter to the New York City Ballet. Her letter said, “It would mean so much to my...
Remember A Time When You Had No Fear?

Remember A Time When You Had No Fear?

Many of us can’t quite remember much about those times, but they existed. Over time there were people in our lives who either encouraged us or made fun of us when we tried to do something new, and eventually the fear started creeping in. Even those who are generally...
It’s Never Too Late To Start Again

It’s Never Too Late To Start Again

The main thing stopping us from starting over is believing we can, so believe you have a clean state and you will. But a clean slate is only good if you do something with it. People always ask me where to begin, and I say the easiest step is a good place to start. So...
When There’s a Will, There’s a Way!

When There’s a Will, There’s a Way!

What a great way for new moms to get a little exercise… and socialize at the same time! Dancing to a choreographed routine set to Sugar Ray’s “Fly” looks like fun, and the babies seem to love it too! When working toward your goal you have to be...
The Gift Wrap And The Jewel

The Gift Wrap And The Jewel

Wanda B. Goines was 92-years-old when she wrote a poem on growing old and what is truly important in life. The video of her reciting her poem is below, and is so worth a listen.Aging is not something that all of us are afforded, and it is important to remember that we...
It’s Just A Phase – So Don’t Miss It!

It’s Just A Phase – So Don’t Miss It!

Life goes by so fast and there are so many moments that we miss… moments that we just can’t re-create. The best moments are cemented into our memory as we sit with our families and friends and tell stories of all the wonderful times we’ve...
Hesitant Horse Provides Many Laughs

Hesitant Horse Provides Many Laughs

Trying new things can be difficult, but it’s what keeps our minds fresh. Take a lesson from this horse and learn that no matter how silly you may look doing something, all that matters is that you tried your best.As George S. Patton once said, “Success is...
When Your Feet Don’t Touch The Ground

When Your Feet Don’t Touch The Ground

Tonight as you drift off to sleep, give power to your imagination… it’s where your dreams live.This beautiful song by Gary Barlow is from the brand new musical “Finding Neverland”. I’m sharing it because I can’t get it out of my head and because I...
Elderly Woman Ditches Her Cane To Dance!

Elderly Woman Ditches Her Cane To Dance!

Seeing the woman in this video release her cane reminded me of how we all have crutches – excuses –  that we use from time to time. They help us avoid putting the effort in to accomplish something, but they also hold us back. Some are physical crutches...
80-Year-Old Fred Knittle Inspires Audiences

80-Year-Old Fred Knittle Inspires Audiences

You never know where life will take you when you say “yes!” In Fred Knittle’s case it took him to a place that was totally unexpected and into a world he never imagined. After retiring Fred’s wife encouraged him to try out for the Young@Heart...
The Wisdom of Elders Has Great Value! Share Yours

The Wisdom of Elders Has Great Value! Share Yours

This is a very interesting dialog from an old TV show called Dragnet, which some of you may remember. The fundamental principles and values it expresses remain true today, and I was reminded of how TV shows used to convey such important lessons within the context of...
The Circle Game – Joni Mitchell

The Circle Game – Joni Mitchell

Seeing all the children growing up so fast at holiday gatherings is always a reminder of just how quickly time passes. In the life of a child, a year marks such a dramatic change.  But time really passes at the same pace for all of us. We just don’t see the...
Walk2Connect – Would You Walk This Way?

Walk2Connect – Would You Walk This Way?

When was the last time you went for a good walk? Not just to get from point A to point B, but a walk to connect with the outdoors and your community. If your answer is, “I don’t remember”, then it is time to change that! Even if your answer is...
The Best Gift Is Time Spent With Others

The Best Gift Is Time Spent With Others

Christmas and this holiday season are about so much more than presents and buffet style dinners. They’re about spending time with your loved ones. As soon as we reunite with family and friends that we haven’t seen in a while, all the stress of finding the...
Kids Have To Choose Gift For Themselves Or Parents

Kids Have To Choose Gift For Themselves Or Parents

The choices we make define our lives. We try to teach our children how to make the right choices too, but we can’t always be there to guide them.These kids were put in a situation where they had to make a choice between getting something for themselves or their...
What We Can Learn From A Banana And An Onion

What We Can Learn From A Banana And An Onion

Our life is shaped not by what comes our way, but how we respond to it. We all have a choice about how we react to situations as they’re presented to us. This is a wonderful example of finding the good in a situation that was clearly set up to evoke a different...
School Principal Joins 5th Grade Orchestra!

School Principal Joins 5th Grade Orchestra!

There are so many wonderful lessons to be learned here! School principal Jeremy Day decided he wanted to take viola lessons so he joined his 5th grade students in music class. The experience seems to have had a wonderful effect on all involved.On the day of their...
Everyone Battling Adversity Needs A Fight Song!

Everyone Battling Adversity Needs A Fight Song!

A 16 year girl who is battling ovarian cancer adopted “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten as her anthem to help her get through her fight with the disease. Caly Bevier, who was diagnosed at 15 years old, not only has a great attitude toward fighting cancer, but...
A Preschool In A Nursing Home – Brilliant!

A Preschool In A Nursing Home – Brilliant!

What happens when you put a preschool in a nursing home? Lots of wonderful things! An inter-generational learning center in Seattle, Washington has being doing it for years and the results are wonderful for all involved.The senior living community is called Providence...
The Wall of Loving Remembrance

The Wall of Loving Remembrance

Together we have learned that at the beginning or in the midst of any new and unfamiliar journey, it’s important to remember with love those who have transitioned from this physical plane. We remember those who have encouraged and loved us as we once were and...
Dinner Time: Do You Unplug From Technology?

Dinner Time: Do You Unplug From Technology?

You’re probably reading this post from a phone or computer. As grateful as I am for the time you are taking to read my blog, when you’re finished, try unplugging from technology for a while and spending some quality time with your loved ones, or even just...
Imagine All The People Living Life In Peace

Imagine All The People Living Life In Peace

Is world peace possible? Yes, but only if we believe it is.The vast majority of the world lives in peace. For all the problems in the world today, there are many, many wonderful things happening too. When we lose sight of all the good that’s happening, we begin...
Running Across America At The Age of 92!

Running Across America At The Age of 92!

Ernie Andrus is a 92-year-old retired Navy veteran who would love to see the ship he served on back on the shores of Normandy for the D-Day memorial in 2019, but the renovation and transportation costs money. He started the Coast2Coast Runs Project to raise money for...
A Lemonade Stand Serving Cups Of Kindness

A Lemonade Stand Serving Cups Of Kindness

We’ve all passed through neighborhoods before where children are excitedly flagging you down to sell you a cup of lukewarm lemonade for 50-cents. And if you’re like me, you’ve definitely stopped at one or two of these stands to help the cause and...