Gratitude Stories Matter

This month, November, I am bringing on two guests who remind us of the power of gratitude even in these difficult, divided and tumultuous times. The gentleman who is my first guest in November, Stephen Ray Watts, shares with me and my audience today about how his life, ministry and music have been influenced by having a grateful heart. If you recognize the name, that is because this is one of the musicians who has lent his music to me for the purpose of enriching this podcast for the last four seasons.

Sharing from his personal journey of sobriety for 15 years, Stephen says that gratitude is a secret weapon. He tells us if we give thanks for everything, even in those things we see as not good for us, we find that we open up a realm of blessings that will flow in many different ways. So how do we do this?  According to Stephen, we ask God to show us how to give thanks and help us navigate through the tough times as well as not so tough times. Walking into submission for what God has for us is one way we can see these blessings.

Stephen gives an example of how he processed loss when his jazz club in Denver closed during COVID. He ended up delivering flowers to a detox facility and found a new ministry by helping those who are seeking recovery from alcohol addiction. To this day, he volunteers time and energy to speak with and encourage those walking the road to sobriety. He shares his experience, strength and hope.

By telling a story of what he saw was a disastrous performance experience, he states he discovered that the vanity of chasing the wind of ego is indeed unfulfilling. Letting go of his ego and allowing God to use him even in a situation where his expectations for a fantastic performance were not met, he realized the freedom of humility by releasing his need for the accolades that he has allowed to define him for many years. Prior to that experience he states, "I have spent my entire life trying to be somebody instead of just being." So many of us in the arts can fall into the trap of allowing people and an accomplishments define our purpose and worth.

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/