Cam Taylor

Be inspired. Be focused. Be tenacious.

Lessons Learned from the Persistent Peasant

There is an old story about a king whose people had grown soft and entitled. Dissatisfied with this state of affairs, he wanted to teach them a lesson.   The plan he devised was simple: He placed a large boulder in the middle of the main road that completely blocked entrance into the city. He then […]

Three Actions to Build Life-giving Resiliency

When faced with setbacks and mountains you need to climb, why is it important to not give up? Why does it matter that you bounce back from adversity and not let that challenge steal your joy and defeat you? I can think of five reasons to not give up. I’m curious. Why do you keep […]

The Power to Choose Changes Everything

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” — Groucho Marx  […]

Worst Day Ever?

“Worst Day Ever?” is a poem attributed to 11th grader Chanie Gorkin of Brooklyn, New York. It has been making the rounds on the internet and I thought was worth sharing, if you haven’t read it.   The poem captures a worldview that is far too common, but be ready for an interesting twist at the […]

The Tempest Brings Out the Music

There is a legend that tells of a German baron who, at his castle on the Rhine, stretched wires from tower to tower, that the winds might convert them into an Aeolian harp. And the soft breezes played about the castle, but no music was born. But one night there arose a great tempest, and […]

My TEDx talk – How I Found Opportunity in Adversity

This is the talk I gave at the fall TEDxAbbotsford event. In it I tell my story of how I found opportunity in the midst of adversity. My desire is that this video will inspire you to see adversity as something with the potential to bring transformation in your life and in those you touch.  […]

Don’t Get Your Hopes Up

Have you ever been told, “Don’t get your hopes up!” I certainly have. When I wanted to run again after my motorcycle accident, my surgeon told me not to get my hopes up. I didn’t take the news well but prepared me what came later (fortunately). When I talk to people going through a difficult […]

Tips on how to get back up after you get knocked down

The following article was written by David Hildebrand who experienced a life altering brain injury. He tells his story of what he learned and the role resiliency played in his recovery. I hope his words inspire you like they do me. David gave me permission to share this. According to Psychology Today, “Resilience is that […]

One Sobering Lesson Learned from the Loon

Loons mate for life and usually make their home on northern lakes.* What is also true — a small lake will support only one family of loons. If a loon family sense another couple has moved in, they will probably leave and look for months for a new lake to call home. If you’ve ever […]

Never Give In

In 1941, during England’s sternest days, Churchill returned to his old school Harrow, where he’d received embarrassingly low scores, to give a commencement address. The headmaster cast worried glances at Churchill, who had fallen asleep, slumbering through most of the ceremony. But when introduced, Churchill made his way to the podium, stared out over the […]