On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Michael Dennis, a pastor from Austin who bravely stepped out of his comfort zone at 50 to pursue stand-up comedy. Michael shares two transformative mantras: his long-held favorite from scripture, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” and a more recent guiding phrase, “The fun starts now.” Through candid storytelling, Michael reveals how these quotes have shaped both his work in ministry and his creative adventures. We dive into overcoming “arrival syndrome”—the belief that happiness lies only in the next milestone—and the freedom that comes from embracing the present moment as the place where life really unfolds. Whether you struggle with dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, Michael’s insights—and a clever tip about writing emails to your future self—offer practical wisdom and relatable encouragement for living a more vibrant, purpose-driven life, right now.

Connect with Michael Dennis

Website: https://www.futureme.org/

Twitter:https://x.com/futureme

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:31 Meet Michael Dennis
00:58 Favorite Life-Shaping Quote
01:49 The Power Of “Fun Starts Now”
02:54 Celebrating The Journey, Not Just The Goal
05:10 Avoiding Arrival Syndrome
06:56 Embracing The Present Moment
07:39 Letting Go Of The Past
09:17 Misremembering And Romanticizing The Past
10:06 Building Identity Beyond The Past
11:10 Starting Fresh After Loss
12:01 Advancing Without Looking Back
12:45 Learning And Leaving The Past
12:45 Focusing On The Present In Relationships
13:46 Why We Waste Time Regretting
15:00 Challenging The Inner Critical Voice
15:38 Disentangling From Negative Self-Talk
15:52 The Power Of Community
17:30 Gaining Perspective On Yourself
18:00 “One Day At A Time” Wisdom
18:24 Personality Types And Time Perspectives
19:25 Decision Paralysis In The Present
19:47 Processing With Friends And Journaling
20:24 Writing Letters To Your Future Self
22:38 Tools For Future Reflection
24:14 Tracking Growth Over Time
24:44 Measuring Progress, Not Perfection
25:20 Finding Joy In The Process
25:43 Where To Find Michael Dennis
26:03 Outro And Final Thoughts