S5 | Ep. 54: Richard Bach

"We are so much more than mortals suffering on this planet." Each of the 50+ episodes of the Live Inspired Podcast I end by asking our guest the "Live Inspired 7 Questions." The first - What is your favorite book? - has been answered SO MANY times with: Johnathan Livingston Seagull.  So intrigued by the impact this little book had on so many of our amazing guests (and from a little research quickly learned on millions worldwide since it was published in 1970) I knew we had to have the author on the show. The beloved author, Richard Bach, has written 30 book, is a pilot, philosopher, seeker of love and doesn't often grant interviews. I am so honored to have him joining us to share about his writing, the accident that nearly cost his life and the nearly 8 decades of inspired living he's been granted thus far. Join me and Richard Bach today to talk about listening to the voice that calls out to you and a little seagull named Johnathan. SHOW NOTES: "When we ask we receive." Describing his famous book, "here is a little seagull who loves to fly. He can fly at extreme speeds. Because of this, he is thrown out of the flock." Johnathan Livingston Seagull was rejected 18 times before it was published. It then spent over 2 years on the New York Times Bestseller list, was translated into 50 languages, made into a movie and recently an app.  "Disasters can be blessings and blessings can be disasters." Richard's favorite line in Johnathan Livingston Seagull; “You have the freedom to be yourself. Here and now. Your true self and nothing can stand in your way.” "I’m so slow to learn. I need multiple lifetimes to become one with love." "It doesn’t matter what we do, it matters how much we love." Richard Bach's Live inspired 7. 1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? It was a book that was given to me, Johnathan Livingston Seagull. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do with it? I couldn’t imagine the number of chocolates that I could buy with millions of dollars. The only inheritance I’ve received is the time/experiences I’ve had with people. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Dog food, a package of marshmallows, and a fork. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Ray Bradbury, he wrote Dandelion Wine & Zen and the Art of Writing. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Follow your highest right. Within ourselves, we decide the best thing for us to do in any situation. I think we would have a pretty good life if we follow that simple rule. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Try to fail at anything you don’t care about. Find out what you love and be successful at that. 7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Richard Bach loved the sky and with his books, he brought us there. ***  If you enjoyed today’s episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast wherever you get your podcasts. I can’t wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning