Hey! I’m so glad you’re here. And I’m glad I’m here.

This is episode 1 of An Owner’s Guide for Your Life podcast. I’m your host, Tracey Browning, and I love beginnings. Cracking open a new book to read, sS
starting a project or a new job or a relationship. Even something as simple (and crucial) as waking up in the morning. The new beginning of a fresh new day. There’s something about the clean energy of a beginning- it excites me. There’s some mystery and I’m curious because who knows exactly what’s coming and how this is gonna play out.  Ah, beginnings.

If you’re guessing I’m pretty jazzed about beginning my podcast- you are RIGHT!

Let me give you an idea of what to expect. 

We’ll going to talk about how to live a life and love people and make money in ways that make you proud, 

how to be a person that you actually enjoy being. 

How to be the best YOU you can be and how to do it as much as you can.

I want you to feel like we’re sitting on the porch, talking about things that matter. You know, in my life, those are the best conversations. The porch talks. Sitting on the front porch swing, usually it’s late in the evening, you know, you’re just swinging and talking to somebody that matters about things that matter.

I specifically chose the podcast name “An Owner’s Guide for Your Life” because we each own our lives. It may not always feel like that to you. It may feel like somebody else (a parent or spouse or boss or your kids or maybe it’s your job or even the government)- it may feel like THEY own your life. 

But they don’t. You do. 

Each one of us is ultimately responsible for and in control of our very own self. We decide how to think and feel and live in the situations that we’re in. The only thing we have complete control over is our self. We control what we think about and the feelings we have and the  actions we take or don’t take. 

It’s really a simple framework for understanding life- our actions come from our thoughts & feelings and THIS is what makes our life.

It’s simple.  But you know simple doesn’t mean easy. This means there is a LOT to explore!

My own life has been filled with variety but a love for people and understanding what makes us tick has been a common theme through my whole life. I have a master’s degree in psychology, studied for my doctorate in counseling, I teach psychology, I’ve got several certifications in life coaching and am constantly learning because people freaking fascinate me. I’ve got corporate management experience and years as an entrepreneur. I even homeschooled my 3 sons- yep, 3 boys!-  over an 18 year stretch and I’ve worked from home with my husband for 10 years. I know a lot about persistence and patience and pivots and reaching for goals and adjusting and living a life that I love. 

I believe there are as many ways to ‘do life’ (now did you feel those air quotes?) as there are people in the world. We’re all unique. Which means there’s not one exactly RIGHT WAY for you to live your life.  Now that can be exhilarating, like “Yay, there’s nobody else like me!” It can also be frustrating.  Like “Ugh, can somebody just please tell me what to do here!” It can be both of those at the same time and so much more- all at once.

Life is a magnificent journey.

I want to tell you a story in my life journey about one of my dogs- our Diesel. He’s gonna hear his name so he might run in here and bark so just be aware- but our Diesel is a handsome labrador retriever. He weighs in at about 100 lbs with a sleek shiny black coat and eyes that will pierce your soul. He’s appointed himself our family caretaker and he loves us DEEPLY.  

Now Diesel had a girlfriend who lived across the street. Lola was a gorgeous blond lab mix who would come over to play in our backyard. The two of them would run and tumble and wrestle and romp and roar. Oh my goodness, they had so much fun!

One day a few years ago, back in the spring, I was planting flowers in front of the house and had the windows open to let the breeze flow through the house. The breeze was wonderful, the pollen not so much. It was just a beautiful day. Diesel was sitting inside watching me through the screen to be sure I was where I was supposed to be because that’s what good caretakers do.

While he was sitting there, he spotted Lola who was on her way over to play with him and that boy didn’t waste a second. My dog jumped OUT OF THE WINDOW, knocked the screen off and he ran to greet Lola. Oh my gosh, I wish you could have been there. Both dogs were bouncing around, slobber flying, tails wagging, running in circles- they were deliriously happy! It was great!

Now I do want to point out something out here.

Here’s the life lesson- not just that dogs are great and funny and they’ll jump out the window if you’re not watching.

I want to point out Diesel had never seen anything go through a window before.

And he didn’t care there was a screen in the way.

My dog saw what he wanted and he went for it.

THAT is the passion and the focus, the exuberance and the courage I want to have in my own life. I bet you’d like it too! 

Maybe not ALL the time because that could be like really exhausting.

But why can’t we go after LIFE the same way Diesel jumped through the window to get to his Lola? With gusto and joy.

This is what we’re gonna talk about!

In future episodes, I’ll be featuring questions from listeners, other life owners like you. If you have a question or a topic or situation you’d like for us to explore, send me an email- doesn’t have to be fancy- just cover the basics and send it to tracey@tbrowning.com with ‘podcast question’ in the subject line and hit send.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

Thank you so much for listening! Go ahead and subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop each week.

Now go – live, love, make some money and change the world!