Summer Suds

In a recent study about beer, wine, and spirits, it was determined that beer is the number one choice for summer! On that note, I thought I’d share some fun facts! 1788 Arthur Arthur Guinness said, “All men, regardless of social status or worth, should have access to a high-quality beer and a healthier form of alcohol.” Quite the statement for that time. So, Arthur signed a 9,000-year lease on an abandoned brewery and founded Guinness beers. There are many stories surrounding the creation of Stout by his three sons in the early 1800’s, but my favorite one is this: In the early 1800’s a fire broke out in the fall, destroying their crop of barley and hops. Guinness would be bankrupt without the fall crop. One of the sons, the risk taker, proposed that they brew the hops and create a stronger Porter (the beer of England) and call it the official beer of Ireland, Stout. All their money would be invested into marketing the new beer and it worked.  In 1820, Guinness changed the name of their Extra Stout Porter to simply Extra Stout. Today, Guinness Stout is enjoyed throughout the world, whether it be winter or summer my lad!

Something to Think About
It would have been easy to throw in the towel and allow their dad’s dream to die on that fateful day of the fire. But one of the sons was willing to take a risk to keep the dream alive. His two brothers supported that dream and today it is brewed in 49 countries and sold in 150 countries.  Sometimes life throws us curveballs. Your ability to hit it out of the park is based on your perspective and willingness to take risks.

Weekly Activity
When things don’t work out the way you had planned this week, remember the Guinness brothers.  Look at it from a different angle and implement an alternative plan.

Words of Wisdom
I truly believe that everything that we do and everyone that we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we're all teachers - if we're willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks or wait for some miracle to come knocking at our door. - Marla Gibbs

Try new things, step out of your comfort zone, take risks, do things in ways you've never done them before, ask for help, surround yourself with self-actualized people, become obsessed with the fact that you have one go-round on this planet as the you that is you, and realize how precious and important it is not to squander that.  - Jen Sincero

Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you're passionate about something, then you're more willing to take risks.  - Yo-Yo Ma

Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength. – Henry Ward Beecher

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt