Category: Life

The Wizard of Oz: A Lesson in Life Purpose and the Journey of the Soul

Matt Talford

Lions and tigers and bears OH MY! ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SEEN THE AMERICAN CLASSIC FILM, “The Wizard of Oz,” is going to be familiar with the above phrase; but did you know that the film quite possibly goes deeper than the singing, dancing and feel-good narrative it presents? Watch my breakdown of how the movie, “The Wizard of Oz” just might hold the keys to unlocking the mystery of why each of us came to earth.  One thing’s for certain: you’ll probably never look at the film the same…

How Fear Causes Us to F*** Up!

Matt Talford

  During the nearly five decades that I have occupied space on this planet (in this body), I have observed a number of situations where fear—not necessarily the physical but the mental type—has caused individuals to screw up in ways that they most likely would not have, were they not fearing the worst possible outcome of their decisions or actions. In the video below, I provide scriptural, historical and film examples of how fear and confidence—contrasting ideologies—work against us and for us, respectively. Enjoy the video and feel free to…

Umbrellas and French Toast

Matt Talford

Have you ever left home… headed toward a specific destination, only to arrive, certain that you are in the right place, only to sooner or later realize that you are in the wrong place, and having no clear understanding of how or why you arrived there? How about being so sure of the words you are saying, only to have one or more people say to you, “No. I am certain that this is what you said.” Well, I have had the good fortune (more on that later) of experiencing…

Tears of the Strong

Matt Talford

May this post serve as a reminder…   …That sometimes, even the strongest amongst us grow tired, feel weak, and begin to question why they do what they do, or why the even care.  May the photo and embedded caption above, serve those of you strong and courageous souls that do so much for so many… …And let us all be reminded that sometimes, even superheroes need to be reminded who they are. Be well! —MT Matt D. Talford is a writer, narrator, and author of three books: “Stuck In…

The Parable of the Extraordinary Bicycle

Matt Talford

Question for my parents out there (or you don’t necessarily have to even be parents to answer)… Your teenage son… comes home with a shiny new bicycle that he told you a friend sold to him at a huge discount.  It is an extraordinarily beautiful bicycle, unlike any you’ve seen before.  You look at your son with great pride for being a smart shopper. Your son rides the bicycle around for a few months, showing it off to everyone he knows. One day, while your son is out bike riding…

What Are You Pouring Into?

Matt Talford

Fact: Your daily energy stores (physical, spiritual, mental, emotional) are limited, and rest is required to replenish them. So what does that mean to you and me?  It’s simple.  If we’re dealing with a resource that is finite, it is imperative for us to be mindful of… pay attention to… or closely examine what and whom we pour our energy into.  The question is… are you pouring into people or situations that give back?   If you and I are pitchers and what’s inside of us is water, tea, lemonade,…

The Progression of Life

Matt Talford

Our parents perform the “rites” that usher us from rest and waiting, into this life of work.We, their children, perform the rites that usher our parents from this life of work, back unto rest and waiting.That is the progression of this life.And let us remember, that the setting of the sun, in one place, is the rising of that same sun, in another.  Smile. Matt D. Talford, Author (I was inspired to write this piece, during the recent celebration of the life, of the mother of a dear friend of the family.  I hope that…

When You Align Your Gifts With Purpose, You Become the Gift!

Matt Talford

Back in April of this year, I felt moved to write a piece about utilizing your gifts (if you have not seen it, you can read it here).  At the time, I had no idea that some six months later, I would be asked to conduct a breakout session at an annual Music & Arts seminar being hosted by two of my lifelong friends.Well, in not wanting to commit too quickly, I responded, “Let me think about it.  Can I give you an answer tomorrow?”  My friend agreed and we…

The July 4th Effect

Matt Talford

The sight and smell of gunpowder smoke in the air… The constant cracking and popping… The loud booms… all coming from all directions…  Overwhelming…  For the first time in my post-military service life, the July 4th fireworks bothered me.   Yesterday, as I played doubles with my friends under the twilight and eventual nighttime sky… as I struggled to focus on playing the points, all while trying to steel my nerves, I constantly had to remind myself that I was neither on a military installation, nor deployed to a combat…