4 Quotes That Changed the Way I Approach my Day
Introduction
While reading Tim Ferriss’ book Tribe of Mentors, I often find many useful insights to integrate into my life. None have been more valuable than these four quotes.
”Live. Give. Forgive.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Wedding Officiant Wisdom: Live, give, and forgive are three simple words that have guided me away from excessive ego, anger, and pain. Extending beyond my “ego” has not only enhanced my life with thought-provoking experiences, but the intent of “giving” has led to a new purpose and foundation of empathy. Although it’s always a work in progress, forgiveness is also equally important and has been an extension of this new empathy (as well as acceptance).
”One distraction I’ve learned to avoid is consuming media that’s just telling me things I already know and agree with.” – Julia Galef
Wedding Officiant Wisdom: A thorough dissection of the information I often seek out in the media reveals my tendency to gravitate towards pundits who support my personal perspective. How can I become more enlightened if I don’t identify my tendency to focus on the familiar and examine multiple paths of thought? With heightened awareness, I know I can identify these trends before I fall into my typical narrow perspective. I realize that I don’t need to agree with all positions; I should respectfully consider all factual evidence to reach a fair judgment (not an unsubstantiated opinion or typical pundit rhetoric).
”When something goes badly, I don’t automatically assume I did something wrong. Instead, I ask myself, “What policy was I following that produced this bad outcome, and do I still expect that policy to give the best results overall, occasional bad outcomes notwithstanding?” If yes, then carry on!” – Julia Galef
Wedding Officiant Wisdom: Life is a series of processes that often intertwine with many controlled and uncontrolled factors, as well as interesting coincidences. The results may become surprising outcomes. Regardless of the outcome, the process warrants examination for the sake of replication or avoidance. It may help me avoid many false positives.
”The moment I start one of these three behaviors—blaming, complaining, or gossiping – I become negative. It’s a sign of avoiding what I am responsible for: my life.” – Aniela Gregorek
Wedding Officiant Wisdom: When I blame, complain, and gossip, I now realize that I’m negatively spewing rhetoric beyond the basic awareness of a challenge or problem. I may still express disgust or distaste for an identified state of being or result. Anything beyond the initial reaction, though, I require myself to change or avoid it. My blaming, complaining, and gossiping are nothing but fruitless, disrespectful forms of banter that contribute to a hostile atmosphere (even when it’s directed at something negative itself). Instead, I try to start from a place of compassion and empathy.
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.
If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
