When we think of beautiful people we generally think of physical beauty, a beautiful young girl, a smiling baby, a handsome athletic man. Beauty, as defined by Hollywood, the cosmetics companies, and clothing lines, are now the norm. Their image is what most people describe as beautiful. In this Five Minutes with Tony, Tony talks about real beauty and beautiful people.

Quotes: “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“Do not assume that he who seeks to comfort you now, lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life may also have much sadness and difficulty, that remains far beyond yours. Were it otherwise, he would never have been able to find these words.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

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Most people spend their lives in pursuit of the extraordinary. We look at the lives of celebrities, glorify their excesses, and wish that our lives could be more like theirs. In this podcast, Tony talks about the ordinary moments that represent 99% of our time on earth.

Quote: For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his [or her] happiness on major events like a great job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage, or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink, or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness. – -Andy Rooney

The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things. – – Veronique Vienne

Reflection: Do you find yourself missing the ordinary in search of the extraordinary? What can we do to embrace the ordinary occurrences in life? Are you comfortable with your ordinary life?

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A question that is rarely asked, Are you living your eulogy or resume? In today’s Five Minutes with Tony, Tony examines a Third Metric in defining success, beyond power and money to include well-being and wisdom.

Quotes:
“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Reflection:
If you were to die today, how would you like your life to be described at your funeral?

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Charles Fraune is the author of two books, “Slaying Dragons: What Exorcists See and What You Should Know” and “Swords and Shadows: Navigating Youth Amidst the Wiles of Satan.”
Charles has a Masters of Arts in Theology as well as an advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma. He is a teacher who has been writing for over 20 years.
Today we will be discussing two fascinating topics, Spiritual Warfare and Exorcism.
https://www.theslayingdragonsbook.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Slaying-Dragons-What-Exorcists-Should/dp/1692862138
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1735049727 (Spanish)
https://www.amazon.com/Swords-Shadows-Navigating-Youth-Amidst/dp/1074030958

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Restless Heart: My Struggle with Life & Sexuality by Kim Zember
Kim Zember speaks internationally about the love and freedom she has found in her life. She loves people and strives to be totally transparent, to help others know they are safe to do the same. When Kim is not in Southern California, she is most likely found in her 'home away from home', Ethiopia, surrounded by her 280+ children.

In this candid and vulnerable memoir, Kim Zember exposes details of her life that many wouldn’t dare to admit, let alone publish.
Her desires for women, money, and comfort lead her down a path far from that of her Christian upbringing. Her impulsive lifestyle, coupled with an underlying fear of being alone, constantly drives her to drown out the small whisper of God she hears in moments of silence and stillness.
Torn by her desires, she lives a double life, jumping back and forth from husband to girlfriends, drunken nights to morning church, Southern California real estate to nonprofit work in Ethiopia.
These pages of conflict, questioning, and seeking embody the struggle of a human soul. Yet even out of the darkest moments, love breaks through in radical ways and carries her into her God-given purpose, into serving others, into joy.
Kim’s transparency about her life offers encouragement to those seeking peace and joy for their own restless hearts. In the end, love wins.

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Dennis P. McGeehan is a Catechist, Cantor, Lector, Husband and Father of nine (eight on earth and one in God's care). He has published in Catholic magazines like The Word Among Us and Seton Homeschool. He also writes Homilies and Commentaries for Faith Catholic Publishing. He is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Catholic Writers Guild. He blogs at www.warriorsworlddad.com.

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