Don’t Throw Away Yesterday

In this episode - Don’t Throw Away Yesterday . . .

On Friday, October 22nd, Lori and I celebrated another special wedding anniversary. We decided to take a day and drive to Orange County for a fabulous lunch. While in Orange County, we strolled the church grounds where we were married, reminiscing about that day 33 years ago.

Garden Grove Community Church, at that time, was called the Crystal Cathedral. Father time certainly has a way of dimming the past. We strolled the campus now called Christ Cathedral, part of the Catholic Dioceses. To my astonishment, it was as if the history had been completely erased. As we took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the beautiful gardens, I was reminded of all the life-changing experiences we had as church members. And how Robert H. Schuller had affected the lives of millions over the 50 plus years of his ministry.

You see, Dr. Schuller epitomized the philosophy of Possibility Thinking, always dreaming about tomorrow. Many only witnesses and criticize his material accomplishments; the prominent buildings, designed by famous architects Richard Neutra, Philip Johnson, and Richard Meier as the culmination of wealth for his ministry.

It was 1955 when Schuller came to California with $500.00 to begin his church, the first services held in the Orange Drive-In Theater. Six years would pass before his ministry would build his Walk-in, Drive-in Church, designed by Richard Neutra, in Garden Grove, California.

Here’s a segment of that story from Schuller’s book, Move Ahead with Possibility Thinking, published in 1967.

Narration - Chapter 2, pgs. 8-12

Schuller uncovered a need, created a shared vision, and made that vision a reality.

His focus was always on the development of individuals through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit, changing people’s lives for the better. Their thinking transformed, self-esteem strengthened, and values reaffirmed; that’s what built his church.

Through his messages, he inspired people to become valued members of their communities. Not for what they owned, but what they became. Honest, hard-working people shared common values; character, tradition, honor, health, and a deep inner commitment to a cause (not a building). His messages focused on life experiences, the stories of people who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Possibility Thinkers!

My listening friends don’t throw away yesterday. Treasure your memories and pass them along to your family and friends.

The magic of possibility thinking is renewed every day through faith. Believe in yourself; today is a new day; you were put on this earth for a purpose. Discover that purpose; you too can change the world. How will you touch someone’s life today?

It all starts with your dreams about tomorrow . . .

So, won’t you be my virtual neighbor? If you enjoy our weekly visits, please share them with a friend.

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Night Before Christmas

I n this episode, Night Before Christmas . . . (In the spirit of Edgar Albert Guest) I’ve wrestled with the tangled lights the way I always do— With just enough patience left to see the project through. I climb the ladder carefully; the years have taught me how. To take my time with every step and keep a steady brow. We hang the faded ornaments I’ve known since I was small, the chipped, the cracked, the tilted ones—I love them best of all. Santa’s lost a bit of paint, the stars’ leaning right, but oh, it casts a holy glow across the room tonight. The kitchen hums with activity, with laughter, and with cheer, as voices drift like echoes from a long-forgotten year. The floor is strewn with paper scraps, the clock is ticking slow, As Christmas finds its own sweet pace and sets our house aglow. The hallway grows a little still; the lights are dimmed, and low, Small shoes are lined in messy pairs to wait for morning’s snow. The fire's warm, the room is full, the world is deep and wide,...

Stamps and Snow

In this episode, Stamps and Snow . . . You don’t usually walk into the local Post Office expecting a time warp . . . but here we are. All we wanted were stamps for this year's Christmas cards— yes, the old-fashioned paper ones that require licking, sticking, and hoping the Postal Service is feeling ambitious this week. But holiday errands have a talent for slowing you down, almost like the universe whispering, “Relax. You’re not getting out of this line any faster anyway.” So we waited. And while we waited, we talked (Are you surprised?). Because the Post Office is one of the few places where people still look up from their phones long enough to talk . . . Maybe it's because they're holding packages. It’s the modern town square: part civic duty, part free entertainment, part sociology experiment. The discussion began with holiday specials streaming on Netflix, Paramount+, and other services during this time of year. One gentleman who has lived in Vista since 1958 told us,...

Un-Work the Old-Fashioned Way

🎩 In this special episode. How to Un-Work the Old-Fashioned Way It’s 2026! Yes— this is the year! A different kind of start—you feel it right here? No lists! No demands! No fix-all-your-flaws! No “New You by Tuesday!” No rules! No laws! Those resolutions? Bah! Dusty and dry! We’ve tried fixing everything —so let’s ask why. Why rush and correct and improve and compare, When noticing quietly gets you right there ? So here’s a new project—no charts, no clocks, No boxes to check in your mental inbox. It’s bigger than busy and smaller than grand, It’s called Un-Working —now give me your hand! Un-Working’s not quitting or hiding away, It’s setting things down that shout “Hurry! Hey!” The hustle! The bustle! The faster-than-fast! The gotta-win-now or you’re stuck in the past! That’s the work of Un-Working— plop! —set it free! The titles! The labels! The “Look-At-Me!” The crown that kept sliding and pinching your head— You never looked comfy . . . let’s try this instead: Pick up a tel...

How to Catch A Reindeer–Christmas 2025

🎧 In this episode, How to Catch A Reindeer Merry Christmas, everyone — and welcome to this year's special holiday edition of On the Fly! Since 2020, Lori and I have been happily creating a special Christmas gift for our nephews, nieces, and close friends: a children's story recorded in our voices, filled with delightful sound effects, music, and just the right touch of seasonal magic to make Santa smile. It's become one of our most cherished traditions — and honestly, it's way easier than trying to wrap a real reindeer! Over the years, we've shared some favorite classics: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, The Night Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Santa's Toy Shop. (We've created our own North Pole audiobook library.) This year, we're excited to introduce a new book: How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead. And let me tell you — this one is a ride. It's a high-flying, whimsical Christmas Eve chase starrin...

On The Fly

Search This Blog