# Steve Pederson > Making Music that Makes a Difference ## Posts - [The New GPA: A Healthier Way to Success](https://stevepederson.com/the-new-gpa-a-healthier-way-to-success/): You’ve heard of having a GPA, I’m sure. What does GPA stand for? Why, Grade Point Average, of course. Whenever I’ve spoken to student groups they always get this answer right. They know very well what GPA means. It’s very important to a lot of students. Some know exactly what their GPA is. But, if you would’ve asked me when I was in high school, I would’ve said, “I have no idea.” My GPA was not something I was concerned about. I don’t say this to brag. The reason for this was twofold. For one, the expectation in my household […] - [That's Life!](https://stevepederson.com/thats-life/): A couple nights ago my family and I were playing the game of Life. I got fired…twice! Evidently it was not in the cards for me to be a pilot! As fate would have it, my career in Life was to be a veterinarian. Who knew? Poor Carley, she was having a heck of a time. She kept rolling low numbers and didn’t get as many kids as the rest of us. (Kids are worth a lot at the end of the game.) She didn’t seem to be enjoying the game too much. I kept thinking it doesn’t matter if […] - [Joy and Gratitude](https://stevepederson.com/joy-and-gratitude/): I hope you are enjoying your holidays! One thing I did was make a list of what I enjoyed, and what I am grateful for, about the holidays. It was a page long, and it really helped me put some of the more challenging aspects of the holidays into perspective. Feel free to use that idea and share it with others. 😉 One of the gifts I received was this “box of wisdom” (as my daughter calls it). I have been putting it into practice and have found it quite helpful. In any case, I have really enjoyed bringing you […] - [Imagine this Instead](https://stevepederson.com/imagine-this-instead/): By now, I’m sure you’ve probably heard of someone this holiday season that has come down with some kind of cold or flu. Perhaps it’s even you. If so, I do wish you a speedy recovery, and I’m sending good vibes your way! One thing I’ve noticed about myself is that, when someone close to me or someone that I’ve been around catches something, my fears of catching it as well tend to kick in. I go on heightened alert! I find my mind imagining worst-case scenarios… “I can’t get sick now! It’s the holidays! Maybe I’ll have to stay […] - [A 21st Century Goliath](https://stevepederson.com/a-21st-century-goliath/): A few years ago Malcom Gladwell wrote a best selling book based on one of the most famous stories from the Bible – David and Goliath. The subtitle: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. In his book he talked about the unconventional methods different sports teams, businesses and artists have used to find success. He compared these examples to how David used an unconventional method to slay Goliath and become and instant national hero. As the story goes, before the little boy David went out to the front lines to confront the giant Goliath, the king tried to […] - [Post Thanksgiving Stress Relief](https://stevepederson.com/post-thanksgiving-stress-relief/): Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Of course, you can’t have a holiday like Thanksgiving without some typical Thanksgiving humor, like what Kevin James (Mall Cop, King of Queens) said… “Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants!” 😂 And, How about the weather?! Sheesh, so much crazy weather all over the country, which reminds me… What is worse than raining cats and dogs? Hailing taxis! 🤣 One of the things I’ve been reminded of lately, in efforts to work on self-improvement, is to not take myself too seriously! However, I will mention that I read an article […] - [It's Coming!](https://stevepederson.com/its-coming/): This past week my aunt posted a photo of the living room where they had set up a Ping Pong table that they will be using for Thanksgiving dinner. I remember sitting around that Ping Pong table for Thanksgiving with all the family as a little kid. After dinner, we would clear the table and have a Ping Pong tournament before watching a Charlie Brown show on TV. When I saw the recent photo, I noticed something was different. Where there used to be shag carpet, there was now a hardwood floor. There’s been a change. Things are different. Things […] - [What Cub Scouts Has Taught Me About Achievement](https://stevepederson.com/what-cub-scouts-has-taught-me-about-achievement/): When I was a cub scout (a long time ago) my dad and I (mostly my dad) built a pinewood derby car and entered it into the pinewood derby… Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message   It wasn’t much to look at, but it was fast. In fact, it was the fastest car in the competition…and I won first place! Excited about my win, and fueled by a thirst for more victory, I entered another car in the pinewood derby the following year. This time the car was much slicker looking and more aerodynamic. I thought for sure I […] - [I Thought They Only Did This in the Olympics](https://stevepederson.com/i-thought-they-only-did-this-in-the-olympics/): Last week I did something I’ve only seen done before in the olympics… I went Curling! Yes, I’m referring to that activity where you slide big rounded slabs of granite (called stones) down the ice. Together with my wife and a group of ten Curling newbies, all slipping and sliding and doing face plants on the ice, I learned how to strategically deliver a stone down a long stretch of ice to what’s called “the house.” Fortunately, we’re not talking about throwing stones at glass houses! If you’ve ever watched curling, then no doubt you’re familiar with the “sweepers”. Those […] - [What do you See?](https://stevepederson.com/what-do-you-see/): I don’t know about you, but I’m the kind of guy that really likes warm sunny days that tantalize you with bright colors and lush verdant vegetation. I know, it sounds like the song Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Fgp-KihIA . Much to my chagrin, however, that was not the case this morning when I opened my window shade. I drew the shade to reveal cloudy skies and trees with bare branches. And, the cloudy sky was not that articulate cloudy sky that has ridges of definition, rather, it was just a cold blanket of gray. Overcast. Blah. At that moment, […] - [This Has So Much Potential](https://stevepederson.com/this-has-so-much-potential/): There’s a force that is really powerful that you can use to everyone’s benefit, and to tap into it just takes a bit of humility. What is this power that people like Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Queen, David Bowie and so many others have discovered? I’m talking about the power of collaboration. This weekend I watched a movie called Echo in the Canyon about the music scene in southern California in the mid-sixties. In the movie they described how people worked together to write music that defined a generation. They would just show up at each other’s houses, often times […] - [This Lit Me Up](https://stevepederson.com/this-lit-me-up/): I just wanted to share with you a couple of things that I am very grateful for. In a week that has had a number of challenges and learning opportunities (I guess they’re the same thing), I’ve have had some really amazing things happen as well. For one, I got to visit with my aunt and uncle and a cousin that I have not seen in at least 30 years. The best part of this was that it happened in Minnesota. This gave me the opportunity to do something else that I probably haven’t done in over 20 years – […] - [Rain or Shine, You Decide](https://stevepederson.com/rain-or-shine-you-decide/): Do you enjoy what you do? I don’t necessarily mean what you do for a living, but simply in general. Do you enjoy the things you do, regardless of the outcome, the recognition or the gratitude/praise you receive? I just got back from a camping trip where I was scheduled to play some campfire songs for the Saturday night bonfire. I had done a lot of preparation for it. I even planned to play some songs for the kids that would be there. I was really looking forward to everyone being together and having a great time. Unfortunately, it started […] - [So Many Breakthroughs](https://stevepederson.com/so-many-breakthroughs/): Last week I suggested that maybe you and I are tougher than we give ourselves credit for. Have you noticed that to be true for yourself? I attended an event last night that challenged many of my comfort zones and pushed me physically beyond what I thought I could endure… And it was amazing! A friend of mine, who is a holistic healer and an addiction recovery coach, has apprenticed with an Arapahoe ceremonial elder for 10 years. He was holding a sweat lodge for healing at a yoga studio. Contrary to my original uninformed preconceived notion of what the […] - [Ouch! I Can't Believe this Happened!](https://stevepederson.com/ouch-i-cant-believe-this-happened/): Something somewhat traumatic happened to me recently that took me completely by surprise… It left me feeling blindsided, disoriented, helpless, out of control, vulnerable, weak, wounded, exposed, embarrassed, confused and eventually scarred. It was very painful. Wow! What was it? I know, it sounds pretty dramatic, like maybe something really scandalous. Or, perhaps somebody did something really cruel and vindictive to me. No, the fact of the matter is that I simply tripped and fell on some concrete. It was a pretty traumatic experience, though, at least at the moment I was going through it. The biggest reason was because […] - [I Almost Gave Up on This](https://stevepederson.com/i-almost-gave-up-on-this/): As you may have heard, one of the great classic rockers, Eddie Money, passed away this past week. Since he was one of my favorites, I decided I would do a little tribute to him and post a video of me playing a guitar solo from one of my favorite songs of his – Two Tickets to Paradise… Eddie Money – Two Tickets to Paradise: Guitar Solo Tribute Video The thing is, the solo is not easy to learn. It has some very tricky rhythms and patterns to it. It took me quite a while to learn how to play […] - [So Refreshing](https://stevepederson.com/so-refreshing/): I have to tell you about a friend of mine named Cynthia Campbell. What she is doing is so inspiring and so refreshing. She posts on her social media profile on a regular basis posts about her friends and coworkers. Now, that’s not terribly unusual, but she posts about how they have made such a positive impact on her life and why she’s so grateful for them…and that’s what I find so inspiring and refreshing. Also, she consistently talks about her job, her neighborhood and her city in a very positive light – like they are the greatest place in […] - [Service Interruption](https://stevepederson.com/service-interruption/): I hope you’re enjoying your summer! This past week I’ve had a lot of fun with my family. We went to Minnesota to celebrate family birthdays. While we were there we went to the beautiful Minnehaha Falls…   Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message Then, my wife and I celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary. We spent the day at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. That was amazing…   Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message Then, last night, my wife and I went to see a Tom Petty cover band at the park in our neighborhood…   […] - [Positive Song Playlists - YouTube](https://stevepederson.com/positive-song-playlists-youtube/): What kind of music are you into? Oldies? Classic rock? Movie Soundtracks? Chances are, whatever style or genre of music you are into, there are some great songs with a very positive message. Here are some of the positive song playlists I have created on YouTube… Enjoy! Positive Uplifting Oldies Songs   Positive Uplifting Popular Songs   Positive Classic Rock Tunes   Positive Uplifting Movie Soundtrack Songs   What do you think? Am I missing a list you’d like to hear? Leave a comment and let me know! - [12 Positive Uplifting Movie Soundtrack Songs](https://stevepederson.com/12-positive-uplifting-movie-soundtrack-songs/): Are you a movie lover? Don’t you love a good soundtrack? Where would movies be without the music that makes them so special? Here, for your listening enjoyment and inspiration, are 12 positive uplifting movie soundtrack songs to put a pep in your step! Enjoy! 01. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i8XVQ2pswg 02. Ease on Down the Road (The Wiz) 03. Everything is Awesome (The LEGO Movie) 04. I Can Go the Distance (Hercules) 05. I Just Want to Be a Superhero (Marvel Movies) 06. Oh Happy Day (Sister Act)  07. On My Way (Brother Bear) […] - [12 positive uplifting oldies songs](https://stevepederson.com/12-positive-uplifting-oldies-songs/): There’s something about songs from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s. It seems like it was a much more innocent time. I know that’s probably not the case, but there is something in the music from that time that is just sweet. Here, for your enjoyment, is a list of 12 positive uplifting oldies songs from a bygone generation. And, I just have to say, people really knew how to dress back then. So cool. 01. Celebrate Good Times (Kool and The Gang) 02. Good Times (Chic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKlLUWFSjI 03. I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash) 04. I Feel Good (James […] - [Top 10 Positive Classic Rock Songs](https://stevepederson.com/top-10-positive-classic-rock-songs/): There are so many great classic rock tunes! How do you narrow them down to the top 10 positive and uplifting classic rock songs of all times? Unfortunately they can’t all make the list. In fact, here are a few honorable mentions that come to my mind… Here Comes the Sun – George Harrison Dream On – Aerosmith It’s My Life – Bon Jovi Roll With It – Steve Winwood Imagine – John Lennon Believer – Ozzy Osbourne Running Down a Dream – Tom Petty For now, please enjoy this list, and let me know what you think in the […] - [I Must be a Fortune Teller](https://stevepederson.com/i-must-be-a-fortune-teller/): I have to share something with you that is just so ironic, it makes me wonder if I am a fortune teller. This morning I was journaling about what it means to me to be the difference. Here’s what I wrote in my journal… “If you’re not responsible with little things, no one will give you responsibility for the big things. Notice how I didn’t say ‘important’ things. Everything is important.” I was trying to capture the essence of how sometimes we feel like a task is somehow diminished in importance because it is small or goes unnoticed. I then […] - [Who Inspires You?](https://stevepederson.com/who-inspires-you/): Who inspires you to take your game higher? Whether it’s your personal or professional game, I’d be willing to bet there are people that inspire you to get to the next level of what you’re capable of. I have been reading the book Lust for Life, which is a biographical novel about the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh. There was a point in Vincent’s career, when he moved to Paris, that he was introduced to the works of the French Impressionists – Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas, etc. This awoke something in Van Gogh and ignited a new passion […] - [It's a Process](https://stevepederson.com/its-a-process/): This past week I had the opportunity to fight off some negative thoughts. I’m on social media quite a bit, and it can be challenging at times to not compare your life with others. So many people are doing so many cool things, and I then I can start thinking…what am I doing? I’ve heard the advice a “thousand” times: don’t compare your life with others! As my coach has told me, “Don’t judge your insides by other people’s outsides.” That’s such great advice. And then…I watched a movie last night that put a lot of things in perspective for […] - [Affirmative](https://stevepederson.com/affirmative/): One of the most powerful tools that I have personally used to experience change for the better in my life is affirmations. It’s amazing how my emotional, mental and spiritual life has improved by intentionally programming my mind with empowering thoughts. Several years ago, when became aware of how effective positive affirmations can be, I began to wonder what would happen if I made up my own affirmations using the Bible as a source of inspiration. From that curiosity I created an ebook called 101 Daily Christian Affirmations and published it on Amazon.com . Over the years, it has always […] - [It Was All Crickets Until...](https://stevepederson.com/it-was-all-crickets-until/): Recently I had a gig on a Friday night, and what every musician dreads was happening… No one was there! My piano-playing duo partner and I were playing to a packed house of empty chairs. It looked like we were in for one long night of rehearsal. On my break I posted a picture on Facebook about it…   Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message Fortunately, people eventually started showing up. One of my friends saw my post, and, realizing they lived right by the establishment, decided to come by… and bring the whole family as well – baby […] - [This is What Happens When it Rains](https://stevepederson.com/this-is-what-happens-when-it-rains/): Rain isn’t always fun. In fact, it can cause quite a few problems. The result, though… The result. As I was riding my bike through the forest preserve one day this week, I noticed how green everything is – more green than I’ve ever seen! We have been getting so much rain this year that things are looking like the Amazon rain forest! It’s beautiful. Then, I came upon a group of trees that were bare. What a stark contrast…   No amount of rain is going to help those trees. It made me think about our lives and our […] - [More Than a Wish](https://stevepederson.com/more-than-a-wish/): Happy Father’s Day! I want to ask you a reflective question today… Your Dad. What’s one positive thing you appreciate about your dad – whether he is still around or not? You see, this past week, my family and I commemorated the 10th anniversary of my dad passing away. As my daughters and I sat around the dinner table we reminisced about our good memories of him. Sometimes fathers can be difficult. But even the difficult ones have something positive about them. I mean, let’s just take Luke Skywalker and his dad! Can you imagine having Darth Vader as your […] - [How to Play a Gratitude Game](https://stevepederson.com/how-to-play-a-gratitude-game/): Have you ever been on one of those family road trips where you try to spot things like letters, numbers, words, colors, etc? It’s one of the many games that my family and I have played in our travels to pass the time in a fun and entertaining way. This week I had an idea on how to play a game with gratitude, or gamify gratitude. Here’s the idea… We live in a world where we are being constantly inundated with advertisements – television commercials, online ads, billboards, etc. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course. There are […] - [How to Have your Own Release Party](https://stevepederson.com/how-to-have-your-own-release-party/): You’ve probably heard of a CD release party or a book release party, right? And, I’ll bet you’ve even heard of a pity party. But, have you ever heard of a Pity Release Party? Remember, folks, you heard it here first. I don’t know about you, but quite often things come up in my life that I need to release or let go of. We’re talking fears, doubts, anger, negative thoughts and, yes, even self-pity. For example, just yesterday I was taking a walk through my neighborhood park when I happened upon a group of parents watching their children play […] - [We had a Good Laugh at This](https://stevepederson.com/we-had-a-good-laugh-at-this/): Today I heard a message from our congregation’s minister entitled “I See You”. I thought he made a great point: We all want to be seen/recognized and we can do other people a great deal of good by simply recognizing and acknowledging them. I would like to piggy-back on that idea… You see, a few years back I was at a life-changing event. What made it so life-changing was a meditation exercise we did where we recognized the light that is shining within each one of us. What I realized in that exercise was that, because of my fear of […] - [I See You](https://stevepederson.com/i-see-you/): Today I heard a message from our congregation’s minister entitled “I See You”. I thought he made a great point: We all want to be seen/recognized and we can do other people a great deal of good by simply recognizing and acknowledging them. I would like to piggy-back on that idea… You see, a few years back I was at a life-changing event. What made it so life-changing was a meditation exercise we did where we recognized the light that is shining within each one of us. What I realized in that exercise was that, because of my fear of […] - [Money and Spiritual Revival](https://stevepederson.com/money-and-spiritual-revival/): Do you think it’s possible to be making lots of money while simultaneously having a spiritual revival? Check this out. Way back in biblical times there was this really radical character called John the Baptist. He was the center of a massive spiritual revival in the Jewish culture in the Middle East. One of the things he told people to do if they wanted to participate in this revival was to be content with their pay. Content. Another word for content is happy. What do you do when you’re happy? You celebrate! This week I realized, as I was depositing […] - [Similarities. Differences.](https://stevepederson.com/similarities-differences/): This past week I was reminiscing about a U2 concert that I went to nearly 10 years ago. There was something about that concert that had such an impact on me that I’m still talking about it today. What was so powerful about that experience was singing – even shouting – out the words to their songs in unison with 65,000 other people that filled Soldier Field that beautiful September evening. In that moment there was a unity, a bond that transcended race, religion, culture, political and gender bias…and every other thing that can divide people. It was like we […] - [Did you Miss your Exit?](https://stevepederson.com/did-you-miss-your-exit/): Recently my family and I went on Spring Break to Nashville, TN. And, yes, we had an absolutely AMAZING time! We drove to Nashville from our hometown of Chicago, IL. It’s pretty much a straight shot. You get on I65 in northern Indiana, and you just head due south on that highway for several hundred miles. It’s pretty hard to get off course. You don’t really have to pay very careful attention. You don’t have very many options as far as directions or routes are concerned. We passed right through Louisville, KY, where we had a comical encounter with a […] - [This is for You](https://stevepederson.com/this-is-for-you/): I thought you might be interested in a blueprint I’ve put together. It’s called 5 Steps to Creating the Life of Your Dreams, and I’m ready to release it to the general public. Before I do, though, I wanted to let you have a sneak peek at it. If you’re interested, you can download it from this link. https://www.thedreamhighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/5-Steps-to-Creating-the-Life-of-Your-Dreams.pdf I’d be interested to hear what you think of it. Enjoy! - [Did You Plan for This?](https://stevepederson.com/did-you-plan-for-this/): There is never a shortage of things to do, is there? As son as we get a break from all our activity and responsibilities, something else comes to our attention that we feel needs to get done. If we’re not deliberate about how we spend our time, our schedule can get out of hand. A whole day, week, month or year can go by in the blink of an eye. It’s for this reason (and others) that I wrote the song Take a Breather. (You can listen to it here if you haven’t heard it lately. ) Today is Sunday. […] - [Do You Recognize This?](https://stevepederson.com/do-you-recognize-this/): I went for a walk one day this week, and I came back a wealthier man. Let me explain… No, it’s not because I found a pot of gold, though, I will wish you a happy St. Patty’s day! Have you ever been walking down the block/street and noticed a coin on the ground? What’s your first instinct? To pick it up, right? “Find a penny, pick it up. All the day you’ll have good luck.” But, then, some other voices might kick in saying something like… “Oh, it’s only a penny…” or “I don’t have time to stop…” or […] - [Here's the Skinny](https://stevepederson.com/heres-the-skinny/): One of the questions I’ve been asked a lot lately is what I’ve been up to. It’s pretty exciting, so I thought I’d share it with you. Hopefully this will inspire you in some way, as it has the several people I’ve told. As you know, I released an album last year called The Dream Highway. Then, at the beginning of this year, I offered a 30-day group training program called 30 Days to the Dream Highway. In that group I helped several people get clearer on their dreams and develop a plan to go after them. Currently I am […] - [From the Heart of Francisco](https://stevepederson.com/from-the-heart-of-francisco/): Whatcha up to?   I am am sitting at Gate 55 at the San Francisco airport while I wait for my flight to bring me home to my family in Chicago.   On (or is it in…?) the concourse is a piece of “heartwork” that was dedicated to the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation…   Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message   As you can see, it was dedicated on Valentines Day 2018. Since Valentines Day was just a few days ago, I thought I would send you a note to let you know I was thinking about you. […] - [They Traveled the Dream Highway and Here's What They Said...](https://stevepederson.com/they-traveled-the-dream-highway-and-heres-what-they-said/): Several people recently joined me for a group training experience called 30 Days to the Dream Highway. What a blast that was! We finished up the program this past week, and here’s what a couple of them had to say about it… “This program is thought provoking. It enables you to gain more focus and clarity about the goals and dreams you may want to achieve. It may also reveal ways in which you may be getting in the way of your own dreams. This is a great program and I am grateful to have been a participant.” “This program […] - [I Wasn't Clear About This](https://stevepederson.com/i-wasnt-clear-about-this/): This past week my wife called on her way home from work asking if I wanted her to pick up some dinner. I told her that I could really go for a cheeseburger. When she asked me where I’d like her to stop, I said I didn’t know. I figured I’d leave that up to her.   All I know is that I was super hungry and really looking forward to eating dinner as soon as she got home!   You can imagine my surprise, then, when she got home…and had no food with her!   Since I wasn’t clear […] - [It's Been 25 Years in the Making](https://stevepederson.com/its-been-25-years-in-the-making/): It was over 25 years ago. I will never forget this memory. I had recently graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Minnesota…and I was working as a bus driver. Now, there’s no shame in that, but when your dream is to be a world class musician, and you just graduated with a degree in music, driving a bus is not exactly what you would call “arriving” or your dream job. I remember standing in my room and thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. I had one of those life […] - [The Big Announcement](https://stevepederson.com/the-big-announcement/): Happy New Year! I hope your having a great day! A couple days ago I sent a teaser email letting you know I was going to be making a special announcement. Well, here it is… https://stevepederson.com/30days-tdh/ - [Are You Ready for This?](https://stevepederson.com/are-you-ready-for-this/): I was talking with a friend of mine today about plans for the upcoming year. He told me about several things that he’s working on accomplishing, and naturally he’s very excited about those things. He even explained that he has several tutors, mentors and resources to help him with his specific area of personal growth. So, jokingly, I said, “So, what you’re telling me is that you have no excuse!” We both got a good laugh. By his own admission he then told me that the only thing that gets in his way is… …himself. I can certainly relate to […] - [The Whole Gang is Here to...](https://stevepederson.com/the-whole-gang-is-here-to/): I got the whole band together to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and wonderful holiday season!   Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message I hope this inspires you to find peace during the holidays. If this doesn’t work, don’t forget there’s always my classical guitar Christmas album Twelve Songs of Christmas available on YouTube.   A perfect way to bring peace and calm to any holiday occasion! Cheers! - [Be the Hero this Holiday Season](https://stevepederson.com/be-the-hero-this-holiday-season/): I remember several years ago my brother-in-law gave me a book for Christmas called The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. That book was instrumental in rekindling my passion for playing guitar and my dream of sharing my gift of music with the world. In fact, if it weren’t for the gift of that book, it’s quite possible that I would not have produced my latest album The Dream Highway. I don’t have that book anymore because I passed it along to a friend who I thought could use it. In a sense, you could say my brother-in-law was a hero […] - [Thought You Might Want a Break](https://stevepederson.com/thought-you-might-want-a-break/): I’m sure, like me, you’ve received a ton of emails recently about Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday sales. And, that’s okay, but every now and then it’s nice to get a break from those. That’s why today I just want to send you some holiday cheer. I recorded an album of classical guitar Christmas carols entitled Twelve Songs of Christmas, and you can listen to the entire album on YouTube for free! Even if you’re not into Christmas music, I find it makes for great mellow background music while you’re taking care of your daily tasks. So, click here […] - [Happy Thanksgiving](https://stevepederson.com/happy-thanksgiving/): Here’s wishing you and yours a very safe and happy Thanksgiving!   - [It's Here!](https://stevepederson.com/its-here/): The Dream Highway has arrived! Today is the official release! Here are just a few of the places you can download and stream the album from… iTunes: http://bit.ly/dreamhighway Amazon: http://bit.ly/dreamhighway2018 ​​​​​​​ http://bit.ly/dreamhighway2018 Spotify: http://bit.ly/thedreamhighway I think you’re going to find the music and the message of this album very uplifting. Thanks so much for joining me on the journey of the dream highway! Enjoy! - [Take Your Pick](https://stevepederson.com/take-your-pick/): Grab ‘hold of somethin’! I got a lot of exciting things to share with you! Album Release! My album The Dream Highway drops this Thursday, November 15th! It should be available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and a host of other digital music outlets. (I will shoot you a quick reminder email Thursday morning as well.) Want to hear a version of the song Hope and Faith I dare not put on the album? If you have a f*ree or paid membership with Spotify, please consider pre-saving the album before it is released. To do so, please visit this link. https://show.co/tQeH8h5 […] - [What's Your Story?](https://stevepederson.com/whats-your-story/): Do you have a story that others might find encouraging? I run into people all the time that tell me they are getting my emails and find them inspiring. It’s a great feeling knowing that sharing a story can have such an impact on others. Then I thought – maybe I could feature one of your stories in one of my upcoming emails! You might think that you don’t have a story, or that it’s not that interesting or significant. Well…try me! I believe everyone has a story or knows of a story that can motivate and inspire others. Your […] - [Did I Ever Tell You?](https://stevepederson.com/did-i-ever-tell-you/): I’m not sure if I ever told you how my friend Rick Heath got involved in helping me produce my album The Dream Highway. It’s a cool story! Before I tell you, though, I have to let you know some very exciting news (if you haven’t heard already…) The album is finished! At least the music production and mastering. I still need to finalize artwork and a few other publishing details, but the music is done, and most importantly… I’m really happy with it! (That’s hard for any creative type to say about their work.) But enough about me and […] - [Your Personal Algorithm](https://stevepederson.com/your-personal-algorithm/): I’m sure you’re aware that, the more you “like” things on social media, the more you’re going to see similar posts or more posts from that profile. Similarly, if you “like” a song on a music streaming platform like Pandora, you’re going to hear more music like that. You’re participating in creating an algorithm (one of those fancy words that most people couldn’t explain but feel smarter just saying). Well, just like you have a feed on social media platforms, you also have what I call a feed of awareness. This is the stream of thoughts that flow through your […] - [What's Your GPA?](https://stevepederson.com/whats-your-gpa/): Recently, when I spoke to a group of freshmen at Taft High School on the north side of Chicago, I told them that their GPA was very important. That’s usually nothing new to a student, but this time I told them that ‘GPA’ stood for something completely different than what they were used to. I’ll tell you what that is in just a second, but first… An update on my upcoming album, The Dream Highway. I am finished with five of the nine songs, and about 80% finished with the other four songs. I’m so close! I am shooting to […] - [That's One Giant Leap for Man](https://stevepederson.com/thats-one-giant-leap-for-man/): Have you ever been stretched to do something bigger than you’ve ever done before? Maybe you had the opportunity to… • Give your first public speech or • Interview for a position you felt under-qualified for or • Take a relationship to the next level Maybe you felt like, though it had been done by others before, you’ve never had to do it. Perhaps, instead of feeling like “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” you felt like, “that’s not that big of a deal for others (small step for mankind), but for me it’s pretty […] - [Sending You Some Classic Positivity](https://stevepederson.com/sending-you-some-classic-positivity/): I hope you enjoyed the dozen positive and uplifting movie soundtrack songs I emailed you about a couple weeks ago! This time I have something to scratch your classic rock itch. This one is a list of greatest positive and uplifting classic rock songs ever. I’ll bet you thought rock and roll was all about sex, drugs and…well…rock and roll. And you would be partly right. It is about rock and roll. But, believe it or not, it’s not all about depravity and devil worship! There are actually some really positive and uplifting classic rock tunes, and you can… Click […] - [12 Positive, Uplifting Movie Songs](https://stevepederson.com/12-positive-uplifting-movie-songs/): I’ve got something really fun to share with you today. I have curated a playlist of 12 positive uplifting movie soundtrack songs on YouTube. And, if movie soundtrack songs are not your thing, no worries. I have other playlists that I am currently working on. I’ll let you know as they come out. (I have a list of over 100 positive songs that I am currently working on creating various playlists from.) Actually, the best way to stay informed is to subscribe to my YouTube channel. You can do that when you check out the new playlist here . Also, […] - [Just a Note to Say...](https://stevepederson.com/just-a-note-to-say/): …you are awesome! A simple note of affirmation can really go a long way. This past week I had the pleasure of spending several days at Camp Paradise in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my 12 year old daughter Carley. It was a Father-Daughter camp with no cell service and no internet access. Nothing but trees, fun outdoor activities and uninterrupted time for fathers to spend time bonding with their daughters. It was AMAZING!!! One of the coolest activities they encouraged us fathers to do was write notes of affirmation to our daughters and place them in the cabin […] - [What the Kids are Sayin](https://stevepederson.com/what-the-kids-are-sayin/): If you were to ask kids these days what they would want to say to adults, what do you think they would say? I asked my daughters that question today. Here’s what they had to say… Adults should be more encouraging and supportive. Instead of telling us what we’re doing wrong, it would be great to hear what we’re doing right. They assured me that this is not a mistake I am making with them, but they can see it going on around them. One of my daughters shared about how one of the moms on her volleyball team would […] - [First Music Video](https://stevepederson.com/first-music-video/): You’re going to love this… I’ve put together a fun music lyric video for my song You Are the Difference. It even has a raffle! What? A raffle? I know, right? Click here to check it out… You Are the Difference Giveaway and Raffle Video P.S. – The version of the song that is offered as a download is an updated, re-mastered version. - [Is It Possible?](https://stevepederson.com/is-it-possible/): My twelve year old daughter Carley had her friend over, and their conversation over dinner gave me a few chuckles… …and something to think about. They were talking about the possibility of building a real-person house out of pizza dough. After the conversation turned to Hansel and Gretel, Carley said that evidently children can fit into ovens, so naturally anything is possible. Anything is possible. Maybe not logical, but possible. I wonder what kind of world we could create if we lived more from a curiosity of what is possible than a condition of what is probable or logical. For […] - [Reminder: Tonight Live Streaming Concert](https://stevepederson.com/reminder-tonight-live-streaming-concert/): Tonight, Friday, June 1st from 7 to 9 pm Central it all goes down… Get ready to have your spirits lifted (even higher than they already are!) Visit my Facebook page to catch the show: https://www.facebook.com/stevepedersonmusic/ I will not be replaying the show, so be sure to catch it live! And of course, if you’re in the Twin Cities area this evening, come by and join us live! Here’s all the info you need – for live or streaming. https://stevepederson.com/event/twin-cities-house-concert/ ALSO! Whether you are joining me in person or online, I am going to be making a special announcement that […] - [How's This for Cool?](https://stevepederson.com/hows-this-for-cool/): The Memorial Day forecast here in Chicago calls for record-high temperatures. To balance out all that crazy heat, I thought I would offer a bit of really cool news… I was having breakfast with a friend of mine Saturday, and he was telling me that he and his family are going to be in the Minneapolis area this Friday – specifically Bloomington. Why is that so cool? Because, it just so happens that I am also going to be in Bloomington this Friday…kicking off the summer with a house concert! What are the odds? It’s so cool that my Chicago […] - [It's the GDPR Song](https://stevepederson.com/its-the-gdpr-song/): ​​​​​​​It’s possible that your email inbox will be flooded today with emails about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) going into effect today. I decided to have a little fun with it and write a short song called The GDPR Song. You can check it out here… The GDPR Song Video ​​​​​​​{!firstname}, I want to thank you for joining me on my journey and being a loyal subscriber to my periodic emails. The good news is, there’s nothing you need to do at this time to stay on my list. If you have any questions about the GDPR, about how […] - [We're Going Live](https://stevepederson.com/were-going-live/): Would you be interested in some inspiration, some encouragement… possibly even some quality uplifting live entertainment… for free… without leaving the comfort of your own home, or office, or car, or…wherever you like to hang out? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, if this sounds like your kind of thing, then you’ll be interested to know that I have started a series of Facebook Live events that are specifically designed to uplift and entertain… YOU! If you don’t have a Facebook account, here’s what you do: Either sign up for a Facebook account and go to the next […] - [What Are You So Excited About?](https://stevepederson.com/what-are-you-so-excited-about/): One morning this past week I asked my daughter what she was excited about that day. She told me that she was excited about a field trip she was going on to Greek Town in Chicago. She informed me that they had flaming cheese at the restaurant they were going to – and she was really looking forward to that! Image Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message The whole idea of asking my daughter what she was excited about that day was inspired by an interview I heard on a podcast. Josh Radnor, of the musical duo Radnor and Lee, […] - [Song 3: Take a Breather](https://stevepederson.com/song-3-take-a-breather/): Exciting news! I’ve posted the third song of my upcoming album on my website, if you’d like to give it a listen. The name of the song is Take a Breather. As we continue on the journey of The Dream Highway, we naturally encounter some obstacles, disappointments and setbacks. This is what the second song of the album, Brain Storming, is all about. Well, what do you do then? What do you do when it all gets to be…a bit too much? That’s when it’s time to take a breather, and that’s what the third song is all about. ​​​​​​​ […] - [Will You Join Me in the Arena?](https://stevepederson.com/will-you-join-me-in-the-arena/): Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The credit belongs to the [person] who is actually in the arena…” This quote was shared to me by a friend this morning, and it really lifted my spirits. He was commenting on how, a while back, I had been doing some live broadcasts on Periscope. I was doing these sessions called Pederscopes. Do you remember watching any of those? He asked me if I was still doing those, and I told him that, after sticking to my goal of producing 101 episodes, I put an end to it since there wasn’t the type of engagement […] - [Song 2: Brain Storming](https://stevepederson.com/song-2-brain-storming/): Have you ever had a time in your life where you struggled to find peace of mind? Perhaps it was a long time ago, and maybe it was just earlier today. That’s what the second song on my upcoming album is all about. The song is entitled Brain Storming. Interestingly, the title of the song was suggested to me by a youth group leader. I was about to speak to a group of teenagers he led, and I wanted to write a song for them. This song portrays the troubles I felt, and thought they could relate to, as I […] - [The Dream Highway: The Journey Begins Here](https://stevepederson.com/the-dream-highway-the-journey-begins-here/): You may remember me mentioning that I am in the process of recording and producing my next album: The Dream Highway. This album tells the story of a journey of discovery about what we can learn about ourselves in the process of pursuing our dreams and how that deeper understanding can empower us to have an even greater impact on our world. In my next several emails I want to unravel the stories and meanings behind the songs to help you have a greater experience from listening to the songs themselves when the album becomes available. Today is all about […] - [Sneak Peak, Listen Really](https://stevepederson.com/sneak-peak-listen-really/): I’m really excited about an album that I’m working on that I believe is going to inspire you to go after your dreams, persevere through tough times and help you be even more positive. The name of the album is The Dream Highway. I would like to invite you to preview, or pre-listen to, the first two songs of the album. I would also love to hear your feedback. There is a place on the page to leave comments. Click here to listen to the songs now! The Dream Highway ​​​​​​​If you’d rather reply to this email to share your […] - [From Falling to Finishing First](https://stevepederson.com/from-falling-to-finishing-first/): I always love a come-from-behind to win story. In case you didn’t catch the men’s olympic cross-country skiathlon today, let me catch you up on the unlikely finish. 68 men began the 30 km (18.64 mi) race. Towards the beginning of the race, 3 men – one of them, Simen Heisted Krueger of Norway, fell down and got all tangled up. What’s more, one of his poles was broken. Now at the back of the pack and disadvantaged, I’m sure Simen could have been struggling with some frustration, disappointment and doubt as to whether he would even place in the […] - [How to Handle a Disappointing Loss](https://stevepederson.com/how-to-handle-a-disappointing-loss/): Losses come in all shapes and sizes. Losing can be disappointing, to be sure. My coach sent out a very timely email this past week that has helped me put a recent loss into perspective. He put a new spin on an old formula for dealing with disappointment. The formula goes something like this… E + CR = DO To break it down, it means Event (E) + Conscious Response (CR) = Desired Outcome (DO) I couldn’t control the Vikings losing to the Eagles, but I could be consciously engaged with my response to get a more desired outcome than, […] - [Look Who's Making a Comeback](https://stevepederson.com/look-whos-making-a-comeback/): Don’t you love it when the underdog makes a comeback? I love the feeling of a comeback. I have been sick with a cold for the last week, but I’m starting to feel much better. I’m making a comeback, and it feels great. In an exciting NFL playoff game today the NO Saints made an incredible comeback from being shutout in the first half of the game. They were about 10 seconds from winning the championship game when… The MN Vikings made their own miraculous comeback and won the game. One takeaway from that game (besides the Case Keenum interception) […] - [A Year in Positive Perspective](https://stevepederson.com/a-year-in-positive-perspective/): Happy New Year! My daughter Carley, who loves to beat people at cribbage, spent the night with her Papa and Tada for New Year’s eve. When she came home today, she told me how her Tada had beat her in three games of cribbage! In true fatherly fashion I asked her, “Well, did you learn anything? Because, it’s only a loss if you didn’t learn anything.” If you get beat by someone or something and don’t learn from the experience, that’s truly a defeat. Perhaps you’re feeling a bit beat up by 2017. Maybe it wasn’t all you hoped it […] - [A Little Music for the Holidays](https://stevepederson.com/a-little-music-for-the-holidays/): If you’re in to Christmas music, I think you might like this… I wrote a song a couple years ago called The Meaning of Christmas. I recorded it last week and even made a video for it. If you’d like to check out the video, here ya go…​​​​​​​ Steve Pederson – The Meaning of Christmas Video If you’d like to actually download a complimentary copy of the song, you can grab that here https://stevepederson.com/discography/meaning-christmas-free-download/ . Here’s hoping you find peace this holiday season! - [It's Been 25 Years](https://stevepederson.com/its-been-25-years/): First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a tremendous day today! Secondly, I am very thankful for many reasons, one of which is that twenty-five years ago today, on November 23rd, 1992, I gave my senior recital as part of getting my college degree in classical guitar performance! To celebrate this momentous occasion, I created digital copies of that recording and have made them available for my friends to check out on my website! What’s more… I’ve also created a video interview that tells the amazing story behind all the unusual events and unexpected twists and turns that […] - [New Music on the Way](https://stevepederson.com/new-music-on-the-way/): I’ve got a couple of exciting things coming up that I thought you’d like to know about. First of all, I’ve been doing a lot of songwriting and recording lately, and I’m looking forward to sharing these song ideas with you and finding out what you think. Also, this December marks 25 years since I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in classical guitar performance. To celebrate, I will be offering free downloads of the audio recording of my senior recital. Until then, I want to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Have a great week! - [Does This Make Me Look Like a Bum?](https://stevepederson.com/does-this-make-me-look-like-a-bum/): I was out for a walk this afternoon in my neighborhood. The sun was such that I had to wear my hat at a little bit of an angle to keep it out of my eyes – you know, kind of like when you’re driving and you move your sun visor over to the side window? It looked a little something like this… As I was walking I passed three boys – probably in their early teens. Tough guys, I think. One of them made a comment. He said something to the effect that I looked like a bum. He […] - [You Will Make a Difference](https://stevepederson.com/you-will-make-a-difference/): As a great deal of people prepare for the solar eclipse today, I will be getting ready to see something equally amazing. Thankfully, what I’m planning on experiencing only happens on a very rare occasion as well. I will get to witness my mother returning home from the hospital after suffering a heart attack. Several days ago I received a call from my brother very early in the morning. It was scary news. My mother was in the ER and there was some question as to whether she was going to survive the next couple of hours. A flood of […] - [Are You Positive, or Just Not Negative?](https://stevepederson.com/are-you-positive-or-just-not-negative/): ​​​​​​​Sometimes the difference between a positive and a negative perspective can be subtle. Earlier today, I was prompted to think of one thing I was grateful for. Because I was feeling a bit under the weather, the first thing that came to mind was… I’m grateful I didn’t have to go in to work today. Once I wrote that down, though, I immediately realized that the energy around that idea was somewhat negative. I then rephrased the statement in a more positive way… I’m grateful I had an opportunity to stay home and rest today. Doesn’t that feel lighter? The […] - [A Sneak Peak Behind the Scenes](https://stevepederson.com/a-sneak-peak-behind-the-scenes/): It seems like a lot of people have been asking me lately if I’m still “doing music”. They want to know what I’m up to…musically speaking. Well, the answer is…yes. I’m still very much “doing music”. In fact, I’m inspired with new musical ideas almost every day. Often times I’ll record those ideas in Garageband. To give you a little sneak-peek behind-the-scenes look at how I do this, I recorded a brief video for you… ​​​​​​​ Using Garageband to capture song ideas on an iPad [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpo10Kr3opE] After recording an idea like this, I’ll sort put it on the back burner […] - [The Well is Dug](https://stevepederson.com/the-well-is-dug/): I am so excited that I couldn’t wait to tell you! Almost two years ago I did a fundraiser for an organization called charity:water. The campaign was called Steve’s Birthday Wish. With the help of several supporters we raised $1060.00 to go towards building a well for people to get clean water. I just received word today that the project is complete! The well was built in Ndakwera, Malawi and serves 280 people. Visit this link to see the impact. [ http://bit.ly/2t07gmg ]Thanks again for your support! - [Your Chance to Let the World Know](https://stevepederson.com/your-chance-to-let-the-world-know/): How would you like to tell the world about someone that inspires you? Recently I asked a question on Facebook that got a bunch of interesting answers. The question? “Who is one of the most inspiring people alive right now?” I got so many answers that I thought it would really be interesting to gather as many responses as I can and either write an article or a short book – depending on how many responses I get. So, if you’d like to participate, I have created a very brief questionnaire where you can answer that question and share your […] - [Happy Memorial Day from Syria](https://stevepederson.com/happy-memorial-day-from-syria/): ​​​​​​​I will be honest with you. I have not really been up on the latest news from Syria. This past Saturday, however, I had some passengers in my car from that country. Their story helped put some things in perspective for me, and helped me have a much more profound appreciation for why we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States. After I picked up this man, his wife and their baby, I could tell that they were not from the US. I asked them what country they were from, how long they’ve been here, etc. They told me […] - [What Month is it?](https://stevepederson.com/what-month-is-it/): Just wanted to send you a quick note that this is Mental Health Awareness Month. I wrote an article this past week on this topic, entitled 3 Things You Need To Know About Mental Health [ https://stevepederson.com/3-things-you-need-know-about-mental-health/ ]. Here’s what I cover… * What is mental health? * What can I do to make a difference? * Where can I get more information on this topic? I also talk about personal stuff like crazy old girlfriends and almost getting busted by the cops! Please take a moment to check out the article. It could be a life-changer. Click here to […] - [Would Someone Rate You 5 Stars?](https://stevepederson.com/would-someone-rate-you-5-stars/): We rate movies. We rate restaurants. We rate customer service. There’s hardly anything we don’t rate in our social-media-centric society. We have opinions about everything. As consumers we have the power of giving the thumbs up or the thumbs down. It’s like being a king. As a part-time Uber driver, I have the ability to rate my passengers as well. Normally I’m very generous and understanding – giving people the benefit of the doubt. I normally rate my passengers 5 stars. This weekend, however, I had a passenger to whom I gave the lowest rating I’ve given a passenger yet. […] - [Rouge One and My Adventure in the Park](https://stevepederson.com/rouge-one-and-my-adventure-in-the-park/): On Friday my family and I watched the latest Star Wars movie, Rogue One. I love the line one of the characters kept repeating whenever he was in trouble… “I am one with the force and the force is with me.” That line helped me to be the difference yesterday. I was going for a walk in the park, when an unleashed dog came running after me barking like crazy. It was a little unnerving. My adrenaline skyrocketed. I didn’t know what this dog was going to do. It didn’t appear very friendly or playful. The owner was nearby, clearly […] - [Try This for Stress and Anxiety](https://stevepederson.com/try-this-for-stress-and-anxiety/): It’s absolutely amazing what taking just a few moments to sit quietly can do for you. Lately, I’ve been using a free mobile app called Aura. With it you can “prioritize health & happiness effortlessly with 3-minute meditations”. I’ve actually been slacking off for the past few days. Today, I remembered to do it, and, as soon as I put my ear buds in to listen…my daughter started practicing her flute! (Something I’ve been trying to get her to do all day.) As soon as I started listening to today’s meditation, though, I instantly realized how much stress I had […] - [And the Results are In](https://stevepederson.com/and-the-results-are-in/): Last week, you may remember, I invited you to participate in an online survey. In a moment I will explain why, but first here are the results… 20% of the people who opened my email clicked to take the survey. That tells me that, either surveys are generally not that appealing, or that specific topic was not that appealing. Question 1: Do you like to take online surveys? 90% of you said, “It depends.” 10% of you said, “Never!” ​​​​​​​Question 2: ​​​​​​​How many questions are ideal for an online survey? 20% said 1-3 30% said 4-6 10% said 7-9 20% […] - [Let Your Voice be Heard](https://stevepederson.com/let-your-voice-be-heard/): Do you like to voice your opinion? Do you like to find out what other people are thinking about a current topic? Are you ever interested in how many people agree with you on opinion matters? Whether you love them or hate them, online surveys give you a choice to voice your opinion. This week I have a very brief 3-multiple-choice-question survey for you to participate in if you like. The topic…? Online Surveys! Click here to take the survey and let me know your opinion about online surveys [ https://stevepederson.com/online-survey/ ]. I will post the final results next week. […] - [Is Your Refrigerator Running?](https://stevepederson.com/is-your-refrigerator-running/): Do you remember that old gag? You call somebody up and ask them if their refrigerator is running, and, when they say yes, you say, “Well, you’d better catch it before it gets away!” That one never gets old. But seriously…is your refrigerator running? I’d be willing to bet it is. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that it’s been running well for years. It’s so reliable that, honestly, you never give it a second thought. And, that’s the way it is with everything that’s working how it’s supposed to be working. We don’t actually start thinking about something […] - [A Quick Favor](https://stevepederson.com/a-quick-favor/): Are you on Facebook? I have posted a new inspirational quote on my Facebook page. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind taking a quick moment to share it with your friends. Here’s what to do… Go to my Facebook page… www.facebook.com/stevepedersonmusic [ https://www.facebook.com/stevepedersonmusic ]The image is the one with the quote: “More important than the work being done through you is the work being done within you” ​​​​​​​Click on the Share link below the image… ​​​​​​​ Next, select “Share on your own Timeline” (A), add an additional message if you like (B) and click Post (C)… I would be […] - [How My Loss was a Huge Success](https://stevepederson.com/how-my-loss-was-a-huge-success/): Yesterday morning I competed in a speech contest. I was one of three contestants, and I came in third, i.e. last place. Am I discouraged about that? On the contrary, I am focusing on what a success it was. Here’s the thing. The guy who won first place is an actor who has been working on his particular speech for years. It was really an amazing speech. The second-place guy has been a member of his speaking club for many many years, has been competing in public speaking since he was in high school and has also been crafting his […] - [You Might Want to Try This](https://stevepederson.com/you-might-want-to-try-this/): If you want to get a little bit more positive momentum going your way, I have an idea that you can try. At the end of my day I take a moment to reflect and think of how I made a difference that day – even if it seemed minor or insignificant. My goal is to come up with five things, but I just start with one. If that’s all I can get, that’s fine. I actually have a separate journal just for this activity. Some days it seems difficult to even think of one thing. That’s because sometimes a […] - [How Lewis Hows Bounced Back](https://stevepederson.com/how-lewis-hows-bounced-back/): Question: What happens when a promising young athlete suffers a career-ending injury, and what does that have to do with you? I’ve been reading a great book called The I-Factor by Van Moody. He’s talking about the idea that who you are is much more important than what happened to you. He brings up this idea in the context of athletes and their injuries, and it made me think of Lewis Howes. Lewis Howes is currently the host of a very successful podcast called The School of Greatness. He has also published a book with the same name. Lewis started […] - [Look Out Lady Gaga, There's a New Blonde on the Loose](https://stevepederson.com/look-out-lady-gaga-theres-a-new-blonde-on-the-loose/): Did you see Lady Gaga jump from the roof in her half-time show during the Super Bowl? That must’ve taken a lot of courage and trust that those cables would hold her securely! Impressive as her courage was to carry out that performance, there is another blonde-haired female musician whose courage I admire. After only playing the flute for a couple months, my daughter Carley made her debut solo performance on Super Bowl Sunday. If you care to watch, here is an excerpt of the performance… Carely’s Solo Debut [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_6K18QTEDQ] What’s interesting is that, it’s almost as if she doesn’t […] - [How I Applied this Idea](https://stevepederson.com/how-i-applied-this-idea/): This past week I had a tentative appointment set up with a client. Of course, whenever you do work for a client, one of the outcomes is…you get paid! I was looking forward to getting paid. :) Unfortunately, the opportunity fell through, and as a result…of course, I didn’t get paid. :( Because I had a little extra time on my hands, I was able to read some inspirational quotes. One of the quotes applied directly to my situation. It is a quote by Robert Louis Stevenson, and it says… “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but […] ## Pages - [Hymn Lyrics](https://stevepederson.com/hymn-lyrics/) - [Lyrics - Combined Outdoor Worship Service](https://stevepederson.com/lyrics-cows/): Worship Lyrics 7-14-24 Click on song title for lyrics. Haga clic en el título de la canción para ver la letra Walking on the Heaven Road Who’s that walkin’ down the roadCarryin’ such a heavy load?Sinner, lay your burden down;‘Cause we’re walkin’ on the heaven road. And when you’re walkin’ on the heaven roadGotta lay down that heavy load.Jesus said He’d walk along with me,Praise God, glory hallelujah! I’m singin’ all the way, Got sunshine in every day;Won’t you come along and join meOn that heaven road? Young folks walkin’ hand in handSingin’ with the angel band.Old folks ain’t so tired […] - [Spanish-English Lyrics](https://stevepederson.com/lyrics-sp-en/): Worship Lyrics Click on song title for lyrics. Haga clic en el título de la canción para ver la letra Glory Glory/Gloria Gloria Glory, glory hallelujahSince I laid my burdens down (x2) Gloria, gloria aleluyaYa deje mi carga atrás (x2) I’m so happy, oh so happySince I laid my burdens down (x2) Soy feliz, muy felizYa deje mi carga atrás (x2) Gloria, gloria aleluyaYa deje mi carga atrás (x2) Glory, glory hallelujahSince I laid my burdens down (x2) Since I laid my burdens down (x4) Ya deje mi carga atrás (x4) Since I laid my burdens down (x4) Come, Now is […] - [Writings](https://stevepederson.com/writings/) - [Promo Kit](https://stevepederson.com/promo-kit/): Headshot Download Hi-Res Photo Video Reel - [Guitar Lessons with Steve Pederson](https://stevepederson.com/guitar-lessons/): Become the Guitar Player You Want to Be! Beginner Intermediate Advanced All Ages – All Levels – All Styles! In-Person Online Don’t wait any longer! Start learning guitar, or become a better guitarist, with Steve Pederson! Steve has been teaching guitar since he graduated with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Minnesota in 1992! Whatever your style… Folk Blues Country Rock Pop Jazz Classical Steve’s got you covered! Steve has been playing guitar since 1983, performing as a soloist, in duos, with bands and in orchestras. In that time he has become accomplished at many styles […] - [Save Subscriber](https://stevepederson.com/save-subscriber/): Thank You! Your subscription preference has been saved! You will continue to receive the Steve’s Stories email. Whew! You may also want to be sure that emails from stevepederson.com make it safely to your main email inbox. Did you know Steve’s Stories are also available as a podcast?  Click here to find out more about the podcast. - [Old Bulletins](https://stevepederson.com/old-bulletins/): Here are some links to some old A&E/AMS church bulletins. It’s amazing to read the articles and to see how far I’ve matured since then. ABC Chicago 10-13-1996 In the Know 9-21-1997 In the Know 10-26-1997 - [Steve Pederson: Musician with a Message](https://stevepederson.com/): Making Music that Makes a Difference Live Events Lessons Discography Sheet Music Coming Soon! Writings Speaking - [Holiday Lyrics](https://stevepederson.com/holiday-lyrics/): Get Inspired! Sign up for my weekly Email… You can unsubscribe at any time. You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Subscribe Now! Thank you! Now you get it! - [Senior Recital](https://stevepederson.com/senior-recital/): In 1992 I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Classical Guitar Performance. All music students were required to give a senior recital in order to graduate. The recordings below are digital copies of my recital, which was originally recorded to cassette tape. The cassettes were then stored in a wood box for 25 years. I had 2 cassettes, and that was fortunate, as neither of them fared very well in that box. You can hear some of the degradation of sound quality on some of the songs. These are recordings […] - [Steve's Stories](https://stevepederson.com/steves-stories/): Steve Pederson Presents… Steve’s Stories: Change Your Story, Change Your LifeA weekly email publication to inspire your best life! Steve’s Stories:Change Your Story, Change Your Lifeis a weekly email publication to inspire your best life! Enjoy relatable, often funny, everyday stories with a spiritual insight. Sign up Now to start receiving yours! First NameE-mailSubscribe NowStart Now Privacy Policy © Copyright 2020 Steve Pederson - [md](https://stevepederson.com/md/) - [Peter](https://stevepederson.com/peter/): [audioalbum title=”Peter’s 3rd Album” detail=”Peter Walewender, Pianist”] [audiotrack title=”Prelude 28″ songwriter=”Chopin” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/ChopinPrelude28.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Marriage D’Amor” songwriter=”Chopin?” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/MarriageDAmor.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Nocturn C# Minor” songwriter=”Chopin” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/Nocturn-CsharpMinor.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Valse” songwriter=”Chopin” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/Valse.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Nocturn E Minor” songwriter=”Chopin” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/Nocturn-EMinor.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Valse 2″ songwriter=”Chopin” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/Valse1.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement” songwriter=”Beethoven” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/MoonlightSonata1stMovement.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”First Arabesque” songwriter=”Debussy” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/peter/FirstArabesque.mp3″] - [Covered](https://stevepederson.com/covered/): It was Chicago circa 2005. A band of brothers came together to form a Christian cover band by the name of Covered. This band was Matt Moran’s brain child. Matt was the lead vocalist, and the rest of the core of the group was Paul McCracken on keys, Rick Heath on bass and Steve Pederson on guitar. Various drummers, including Otto Rascon and a gal who drove all the way from Rockford, IL to rehearse and play with the band, sat in. Initially the band would play only Christian cover songs, but eventually started creating original material. Below are the […] - [Podcast](https://stevepederson.com/podcast/): These podcast episodes are the result of the 30 Day Solo Podcast challenge that is being put on by David Hooper of the Build a Big Podcast…podcast. If you’re interested in finding out more about, or joining this challenge, visit BigPodcast.com/Subscribe. Update: Because of the confidence I gained from doing this challenge, I am happy to report that I have since launched my official podcast: The Dream Highway Podcast.  [audioalbum title=”30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge” detail=”From Big Podcast by David Hooper”] [audiotrack title=”Day 26: My Toolkit” songwriter=”Steve Pederson” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/26.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Day 25: What’s Happening Now?” songwriter=”Steve Pederson” mp3=”https://stevepederson.com/mp3s/25.mp3″] [audiotrack title=”Day […] - [Through Water and Fire](https://stevepederson.com/through-water-and-fire/): The Chicago Church of Christ 25th Anniversary Commemorative Compilation CD Special Enhanced CD Features*: Multimedia Slideshow telling the story of the history of the church with… Over 800 photos Historical documents Recording of an iconic sermon Soundtrack: Songs from the One Heart CD produced by Ralph Beerhorst * The special enhanced multimedia slideshow works on modern Windows machines, but does not work on newer model Macs (only old PowerPC Macs). Released: 2007 Record Label: Major 7 Productions Produced by: Steve Pederson Music Consultant: Steve Bradley Vocal Consultant: Shawn Christopher Art Director: Pam Hamilton Recording, Mixing, Mastering Engineer: Steve Pederson Multimedia […] - [Au Naturale](https://stevepederson.com/au-naturale/) - [Vault](https://stevepederson.com/vault/): {{IGLOO=95338}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Email Welcome](https://stevepederson.com/email-welcome/): {{IGLOO=144849}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Email Confirmation](https://stevepederson.com/email-confirmation/): {{IGLOO=144845}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Email](https://stevepederson.com/email/): {{IGLOO=144842}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Orgena Rose - Thank You](https://stevepederson.com/rose-ty/): Here are your downloads. - [Rose](https://stevepederson.com/rose/): Friends of Orgena Rose… Get Your Free Song Downloads Here! Download your own copy of… You are the Difference (from the album The Dream Highway) and Sanctuary (from the album Au Naturale – Classical Guitar Meditation) [siteorigin_widget class=”WP_Widget_Custom_HTML”][/siteorigin_widget] - [Store](https://stevepederson.com/store-2/) - [The Dream Highway Album Launch](https://stevepederson.com/the-dream-highway-album-launch/): The New Album Drops November 15, 2018 Initially Available Online Only Check these out… Pre-save on Spotify Now to Listen to Hilarious Album Outtakes Free Online Facebook Live Album Release Concert - [TDH Album Cover Design](https://stevepederson.com/tdh-album-cover-design/): Album Title: The Dream Highway Photos for consideration… Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 2 Original… Photo 2 constraints…   I show you the constraints with photo 2 to let you know that changing the color of the sky would be difficult because of the yellow throughout the trees. One of the requests from Photo 2 is that the sun be right on the horizon of the road, like in Photo 1, which is why I had to edit the photo. What people said they liked about Photo 2 is that it looks like you’re actually ON the highway, as opposed […] - [Media](https://stevepederson.com/media/): Contact Phone: 773-590-4577 Email: steve@stevepederson.com Music Engagements Styles: Pop, Rock, Classical and Jazz Description: Steve Pederson combines popular music classics along with his own original songs to deliver a show full of positive energy. Steve is also available for intimate gatherings performing classical and jazz on classical guitar. Images Right-click to download images… - [psp](https://stevepederson.com/psp/) - [Facebook Signup](https://stevepederson.com/facebook-signup/) - [Free Song Download and Album Raffle](https://stevepederson.com/raffle/): Sorry. All raffles are currently over. - [House Concerts](https://stevepederson.com/house-concerts/): Looking for a time of FUN and Positive Live Music…without leaving the comfort of your living room? Tired of depressing “love gone wrong” songs? There’s enough tragedy in the news! Enjoy an experience of good vibrations with a positive upbeat message as I entertain and uplift you and your friends…right in the comfort of your own home! Leave feeling refreshed and hopeful about your life and the world you live in. What is a house concert? A house concert is an intimate gathering of friends to hear live music in your home, your back yard, a party room or wherever […] - [The Dream Highway](https://stevepederson.com/the-dream-highway/): New Album Out Now! You can listen to the songs on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes and YouTube. Have a listen and give me your feedback. Please be as specific as possible. What do you like/dislike about the songs? These songs are for you! - [My account](https://stevepederson.com/my-account/): [woocommerce_my_account] - [Shop](https://stevepederson.com/shop/) - [Sample Page](https://stevepederson.com/sample-page/): This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I’m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin’ caught in the rain.) …or something like this: The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, […] - [Live](https://stevepederson.com/live/): [av_section min_height=” min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’huge’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=” bottom_border_style=” custom_arrow_bg=” id=” color=’main_color’ custom_bg=” src=’https://stevepederson.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bg.jpg’ attachment=’457′ attachment_size=’full’ attach=’scroll’ position=’center center’ repeat=’stretch’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ overlay_enable=’aviaTBoverlay_enable’ overlay_opacity=’0.7′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′] [av_heading heading=’Tour Dates’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’90’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’15’ padding=’0′ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=’rgb(34, 34, 34)’][/av_heading] [/av_section] [av_section min_height=” min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’huge’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’border-extra-arrow-down’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=” bottom_border_style=” custom_arrow_bg=” id=” color=’main_color’ custom_bg=” src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” attach=’fixed’ position=’center center’ repeat=’stretch’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ overlay_enable=’aviaTBoverlay_enable’ overlay_opacity=’0.7′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_pattern='{{AVIA_BASE_URL}}images/background-images/grunge-big-light.png’ overlay_custom_pattern=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′] [av_two_third first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”] [av_toggle_container initial=’0′ […] - [Entrepreneur Success](https://stevepederson.com/entrepreneur-success/): Entrepreneur Success: Skills or Attitude?  I help entrepreneurs and solopreneurs to develop the positive growth mindset necessary for succeeding in today’s business world.  “Your positive action combined with positive thinking results in success.” – Shiv Khera Confidence, purpose, innovation, commitment, and resilience are some of the concepts that are known to be part of entrepreneurship. Join Steve to hear success stories that have challenged common thinking about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what a setback is, and how it sharpens the entrepreneur mindset. Your audience will discover: How your attitude towards your strengths and areas of opportunity […] - [Librarian Superhero Survey](https://stevepederson.com/library/) - [You Are the Difference...Today!](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-today/): External* Resources for Being the Difference: Download a free copy of the song: You Are the Difference Develop a mindfulness moment habit. Use this link and become a premium Aura user for free! Join the “You Are the Difference” Private Facebook group here.     * In my upcoming book, You Are the Difference: Discovering and Unleashing the Inner Resources You Possess to Achieve Your Dreams and Change Your World, I talk about the internal and external resources we have available to us to be the difference. This is a brief list of just a few of the external resources you have […] - [Online Survey](https://stevepederson.com/online-survey/): [os-widget path=”/phyterjoe/online-surveys” of=”phyterjoe” width=”600″] - [Twelve Songs of Christmas Giveaway](https://stevepederson.com/christmas/): {{IGLOO=33524}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Empowering Youth to Be the Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/empowering-youth-to-be-the-difference/): I help teens to own, feel and unleash their potential for making a positive impact in their world. Teens face tremendous pressure these days – both within and without. I work to help them go from surviving to thriving.  Your audience will discover: They already have everything they need to make a difference In addition to faith in God, making a difference begins with powerful beliefs about yourself How to be a catalyst for positive change The Takeaways – Own it – Your audience will discover how to own their God-given strengths and nurture them to make a difference. When they own their strengths their […] - [Empower Students to Be the Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/college-students-can-be-the-difference/): The struggle is very real. Anyone can be a victim of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, depression, suicidal thoughts and even suicide. The staggering statistics are saying that these are serious mental health conditions that are steadily on the rise, particularly on our college campuses all across the nation. I work, not only to combat these issues and help students get by, but to help students develop the powerful tools they need to thrive and make a difference! I help students to own, feel and unleash their potential for making a positive impact in their world. Your students will discover: They already […] - [Enlightened Happiness](https://stevepederson.com/enlightened-happiness/): {{IGLOO=36970}} Please note: – do not edit this page – you can change title and description on the iGloo app by opening the page settings panel (top right icon) – changes to the page made on the iGloo app have no effect on this page. You have to import it again - [Empower Your Organization to Make a Positive Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/organizations-can-make-a-difference/): Empower Your Organization to Make a Positive Difference!  I help leaders, employees and volunteers to own, feel and unleash their potential for making a positive impact on their organization and in their world. “As we have seen, even the smallest moments of positivity in the workplace can enhance efficiency, motivation, creativity and productivity.” – Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage Your audience will discover: How to create a positive working environment that leads to greater impact Three keys to success that make work a joy How to recognize and tap into their own inner resources for motivation The Takeaways – Own it […] - [Empower Your Students to Make a Positive Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/students-can-be-the-difference/): Empower Your Students to Make a Positive Difference!  Whether it’s at home, at school or in the community, I help students to own, feel and unleash their potential for making a positive impact on their world. “A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success.” – Joyce Brothers Students face tremendous pressure these days – both within and without, and there’s just not enough time in the classroom to deal with these important issues. I understand the desire to help teenagers do more than just survive. We want tomorrow’s leaders to develop strong minds, hearts and characters. I work […] - [Almost There!](https://stevepederson.com/twelve-songs-confirmation/): Almost There! Your Download is only a click away! Please check your email for a confirmation link. This would also be a good time to make sure emails from stevePederson.com make it safely to your inbox. Sometimes it takes a couple of minutes before you receive the confirmation email. Meanwhile, why not take a brief moment to spread the news about this free gift to your friends? [bctt tweet=”I just got my free download of Twelve Songs of Christmas by @stevenpederson. Get yours at http://bit.ly/2hHtkMs” url=”no”] Thank You! - [Coaching](https://stevepederson.com/coaching/): How much is it costing you to stay where you are? In life and in business, there are ups and downs that we all need help navigating. I am a product of coaching. I would certainly not be where I am today if it were not for the coaching I have received. If you want to experience powerful transformation in your life or business, shorten the distance from A to B or ease the learning curve, listen to the experts… Inside Out, With the End in Mind I work with individuals and entrepreneurs to target their goals, discern their obstacles […] - [You are the Difference on Campus!](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-on-campus/): Do you want to help students achieve their maximum potential and make a real difference? College students today want to make a difference. They want to leave an impact on their world. Unfortunately, their dreams can be swallowed up in the challenges of every day life. Anxiety, stress, overwhelm, loneliness, depression and even suicide are at an all-time high on our campuses. Why is it that, in a place and time that holds so much promise, are we seeing so much despair? Researchers say that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, and that anxiety has surpassed depression as the leading […] - [You are the Difference on Campus! (orig)](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-on-campus-orig/): Want to Help Campus Students Overcome Anxiety, Depression and Overwhelm? College students today want to make a difference. They want to leave an impact on their world. Unfortunately, their dreams can be swallowed up in the challenges of every day life. Anxiety, stress, overwhelm, loneliness, depression and even suicide are at an all-time high on our campuses. Why is it that, in a place and time that holds so much promise, are we seeing so much despair? Researchers say that anxiety has surpassed depression as the leading mental health issue facing college students. Are the statistics we’re seeing just the tip of the iceberg? […] - [You are the Difference on Campus! [copy]](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-on-campus-2/): I know the inner game that today’s students face, their everyday challenges on campus. I’ve been there. That’s why I’ve created a live event where… I share the struggle and victory from my own personal journey Students feel safe to open up and Interact Students receive the tools needed to create powerful change We sing! What students need to know now more than ever is that they are the difference on campus. College students today want to make a difference. They want to leave an impact on their world. Unfortunately, their dreams can be swallowed up in the challenges of every day […] - [Free Song Download](https://stevepederson.com/free/): [sc name=”yatd-free-song-download”] - [Action Required](https://stevepederson.com/action-required-2/): You’re almost there! Please check your inbox for a confirmation email from Steve Pederson. You will need to click the confirmation link in your email in order to receive your free song download. This would also be a good time to make sure that email from steve@stevepederson.com arrives safely in your inbox. Hint: For best results, you will want to download your new song on a desktop computer. - [Song Download](https://stevepederson.com/song-download/) - [You are the Difference in Christ](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-in-christ/): Would you love to see your members more involved and engaged? When members… See what a difference they are already making Understand the difference they are uniquely qualified to make Feel appreciated for their contributions They are more engaged in the mission. As a minister, you rely on the volunteerism of your membership. It’s the backbone of any congregation. One of the problems, though, is burnout – both from the volunteers and from the pastor who feels they alone have to carry the burden of encouraging and expressing appreciation to the volunteers. Well, here’s something that several groups have found […] - [You are the Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference/): Discover the amazing difference you are making…and may not even be aware of! We’re all looking for meaning in life. Everyone wants to feel like they are making a significant contribution at some level – at home, in our communities, at school or on the job. It’s what gets us up in the morning and helps us perform at our very best. When we feel like we have autonomy, mastery and purpose in our lives, we’re unstoppable! Steve Pederson’s You are the Difference experience demonstrates that how we view ourselves effects our productivity, creativity and flow. Now you can help […] - [Email Confirmation for Free Book Notification](https://stevepederson.com/yatd-ebook-confirmation/): Hey! Look at that! Success! You made it on the list! While you’re here, would you like to watch any of the previous Pederscopes? You can find them all here. - [Action Required!](https://stevepederson.com/action-required/): You’re almost there! Please check your email inbox for further instructions. This would also be a great time to add steve@stevepederson.com to your contacts and/or safe list so every email will be delivered safely to your inbox. Wouldn’t want you to miss out on any cool stuff! If you encounter any problems, please contact me for assistance. Thank you for your interest in what I have to offer!   - [You are the Difference in Your Community!](https://stevepederson.com/you-are-the-difference-in-your-community/): What do you have in common with George Washington, Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr.? You can make a difference in your community by simply getting involved! Come on a journey through American history and the stories of the difference makers that made it happen. The stories may surprise you! Steve Pederson takes you from the birth of the United States, through the revolutionary war, the development of the railroad industry, women’s suffrage, the civil rights movement and finally to the difference YOU can make as an individual in your society. In this fun, informative and interactive experience, […] - [You (Teens) are the Difference!](https://stevepederson.com/you-teens-are-the-difference/): I wish I had known this when I was a teen… The power to make positive choices starts with recognizing the positive within ourselves and others. With so much to measure up to, teens often feel like they’re never good enough, or only as good as their last grade or performance. The media doesn’t make it any easier. It’s difficult for teens to give themselves and their peers credit for the good and positive things they do on a daily basis. With so much peer, academic and other pressure, it often becomes a competition. Unless they are trained to constantly […] - [Events](https://stevepederson.com/events/) - [Special 2016 New Year Announcement](https://stevepederson.com/special-2016-new-year-announcement/): You are the Difference in 2016! Watch the “big announcement” replay here… (The real juicy part starts at 4 minutes 05 seconds) When? 8:35 am Central Time. Mon-Fri. What? The Daily “PederScope”: Keys to Being the Difference 5 – 10 minutes of pure inspiration Where? Periscope. Why Periscope? I want 2016 to be the year that I really connect with people in a very personal and intimate way. I think the Periscope platform is great for that. What is Periscope? Periscope is a free video streaming app for your Apple or Android smart phone. Get more information about Downloading Periscope […] - [PederScope](https://stevepederson.com/pederscope/): Welcome Scopers! Thanks for watching the PederScope! I am so glad you joined me! Thank you! I am honored to be bringing you Keys to Being the Difference. I’m SO honored, in fact, that I want to honor you! I want to give you a free copy of my book! I am compiling the thoughts from the live Pederscope broadcasts into a new book entitled Keys to Being the Difference. Simply join my email list below, and I’ll give you a free downloadable copy of my book when it becomes available. [optin-cat id=”20524″] - [Awesome!](https://stevepederson.com/awesome/): Action Required: Check your email for a confirmation link. You must click that link to receive your free song and start your journey.  While you’re there, please make sure all email from StevePederson.com goes to your inbox. We’ll see you on the jouney! - [You are the Difference - Song Download](https://stevepederson.com/yatdsdlkejcispqngudienchser/): Thanks for being a part of my tribe! Instructions: You can play the song or download it by clicking the ‘Download Track’ link. For best results, you may find that downloading the song on a desktop computer and then adding it to your music library will be easier than downloading it to a mobile device. Just sayin’. Enjoy! [tracklisting slug=”difference-limited-first-edition”] - [Profile](https://stevepederson.com/profile/): [learn_press_profile] - [Test Product M1 - L1](https://stevepederson.com/test-product-module-1/test-product-m1-l1/) - [Test Product Module 1](https://stevepederson.com/test-product-module-1/) - [Test Product Home Page](https://stevepederson.com/test-product-home-page/): Test Product Home Page Test Module 1 Lesson 1 - [Test Product Sales Page](https://stevepederson.com/test-product-sales-page/): Test Product Sales Page   Click here to register for free! - [Confirmation Success!](https://stevepederson.com/cwa-confirmation-success/): You’re In! Congratulations, you’re now a VIP Email member at StevePederson.com! You will be notified via email when your free mp3 of the live show, along with a link to the video become available. In the meantime, why not check out all there is here on my website? Get 50% off a Custom Song! Interested in a custom song? Click here to contact me and let me know the secret code I gave you during the show to get your 50% off discount! Facebook Please take a moment to Like my Facebook page if you haven’t done that yet. You can […] - [Almost There!](https://stevepederson.com/cwa-confirm/): ALMOST THERE! Please check your email for a confirmation link. This would also be a good time to make sure emails from stevePederson.com make it safely to your inbox. “Thanks for Joining the VIP Email List!” – Steve Pederson - [Speaking & Keynote Concerts](https://stevepederson.com/speaking-and-keynote-concerts/): Charismatic. Funny. Amazing. Real. That’s what people say after experiencing Steve Pederson. Steve is that rare speaker who can also claim that he’s a professional musician. Steve combines his years of professional music training and experience, along with his training from the world-renowned improv center Second City, plus his years as an educator and community leader to deliver a live experience like no other. The real gritty look at life and the vulnerability that Steve portrays is really refreshing and is what audiences easily connect with. In his Keynote Concerts, Steve creates a truly unique experience by combining a powerful […] - [Home](https://stevepederson.com/home-2/): [av_slideshow_full size=’featured_large’ min_height=’600px’ stretch=” animation=’fade’ autoplay=’false’ interval=’5′ control_layout=’av-control-hidden’ perma_caption=’aviaTBperma_caption’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ attach=’scroll’] [av_slide_full slide_type=’video’ id=” video=’https://youtu.be/Y4HOhZWqyUc’ mobile_image=’225′ video_format=’stretch’ video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=’aviaTBaviaTBvideo_controls’ video_mute=’aviaTBaviaTBvideo_mute’ video_loop=’aviaTBaviaTBvideo_loop’ title=’Enfold Band’ custom_title_size=’90’ custom_content_size=’30’ caption_pos=’caption_center’ link_apply=’button button-two’ link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Tour Dates’ button_color=’light’ link1=’page,343′ link_target1=” button_label2=’Latest News’ button_color2=’red’ link2=’page,12′ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=’aviaTBaviaTBoverlay_enable’ overlay_opacity=’0.7′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”] Now live in Concert across Europe! [/av_slide_full] [/av_slideshow_full] [av_section min_height=” min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’huge’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’border-extra-arrow-down’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=” bottom_border_style=” custom_arrow_bg=” id=” color=’main_color’ custom_bg=” src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” attach=’scroll’ position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ overlay_enable=’aviaTBoverlay_enable’ overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_pattern='{{AVIA_BASE_URL}}images/background-images/grunge-light.png’ overlay_custom_pattern=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′] [av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’0′ heading=’Latest News’ […] - [MailChimp Test](https://stevepederson.com/mailchimp-test/): [mc4wp_form] - [The Water Cycle Song](https://stevepederson.com/the-water-cycle-song/): Welcome to The Water Cycle Song Resources Page! Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you find the resources on this page helpful. If there is anything else you need, please contact me and let me know. I’m happy to help. I would ask that you please take a moment to watch the video on the Samburu Project below. Then, consider purchasing a download of the song to support this great cause. Have fun, and please consider leaving a comment below. Thanks! History I wrote The Water Cycle Song in 2013 when my oldest daughter’s girl scout troop was […] - [The Water Cycle Song - Live!](https://stevepederson.com/the-water-cycle-song-live/): Imagine Your Students/Group Having This Much Fun Learning About The Water Cycle…   Just fill out the form below, and I will be notified of your interest in a live performance. Thanks! [contact-form-7 id=”19727″ title=”play water cycle live”] - [Confirmation Required](https://stevepederson.com/confirmation-required-guide/): Almost There! Your FREE Fun Guide is just a confirmation click away! Please check your email for a confirmation link to make sure I have your best email and that email from stevepederson.com goes directly to your inbox. Thank you for letting me stay in touch with you about other educational materials and services I offer. You can feel free to opt out of my list at any time. If you want to purchase your own mp3 of the song, and support the Samburu Project, you can click this link. Want to have me play the song live for your […] - [Music Licensing](https://stevepederson.com/music-licensing/): Original works, including lyrics, songs, compositions and audio recordings by Steve Pederson, are available for licensing. Please use the form below to start a conversation about your interest in licensing a work by Steve. [contact-form-7 id=”19666″ title=”Licensing”] - [The Water Cycle Song](https://stevepederson.com/the-water-cycle-song-mp3-download/): This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: - [Almost There!](https://stevepederson.com/wced-confirm/): Almost There! Your Download is only a click away! Please check your email for a confirmation link. This would also be a good time to make sure emails from stevePederson.com make it safely to your inbox.   Sometimes it takes a couple of minutes before you receive the confirmation email. In the mean time, check out what else I’m up to… I’d like to take a moment to let you know that I give private guitar and piano lessons. Click here to find out more about music lessons. Also, I write custom songs for any occasion. Click here to find […] - [The Water Cycle Song](https://stevepederson.com/wced/): Hello Ebinger Elementary Parents! I had such a great time teaching The Water Cycle Song to your kids! Special thanks go to Mr. Richard Uppling for joining me on the bass. Check out this video of the performance today…     I would love to share a copy of the song with you. If your kids are like mine, they want to be able to hear a song – anytime, anywhere. This is a brand new updated studio recording! In return, I’m going to ask a favor. Please allow me to have your email address so I can stay in touch […] - [temp download](https://stevepederson.com/temp-download/): click here to download - [Mixed Fullwidth Portfolio](https://stevepederson.com/portfolio/mixed-fullwidth-portfolio/): [av_portfolio columns=’1′ one_column_template=’special’ items=’3′ contents=’excerpt’ preview_mode=’custom’ image_size=’featured’ linking=’lightbox’ sort=’no’ paginate=’no’] [av_portfolio columns=’3′ one_column_template=’special’ items=’6′ contents=’excerpt’ preview_mode=’auto’ image_size=’portfolio’ linking=” sort=’no’ paginate=’no’] - [Membership Terms](https://stevepederson.com/membership-terms/): Content on StevePederson.com is to be enjoyed responsibly. These are pretty basic terms, but they are subject to change. I’ll let you know if/when they do. - [New Member](https://stevepederson.com/new-member/) - [Lyrics](https://stevepederson.com/lyrics/): Tap on the plus “+” sign to see the lyrics for the song - [Free Membership](https://stevepederson.com/free-membership/) - [Membership](https://stevepederson.com/membership/) - [Worship Songs](https://stevepederson.com/worship-songs/): Great Is Your Name We Call Holy Trinity This recording is in Db. I now perform it a whole step higher in Eb. Hallelujah Get Ready For Rain     All songs are written, performed and copyright by Steve Pederson - [InstaMember Handler Page](https://stevepederson.com/instamember/): This page is needed by InstaMember to run your membership site Please do NOT delete this page - [Join](https://stevepederson.com/join/): [sc name=”yatd-free-song-download”] - [Confirmation Needed](https://stevepederson.com/confirmation-needed/): You’re almost there! You should be receiving a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. Once you’ve confirmed, you’ll be on the VIP members list! Thank you! - [Protected Content](https://stevepederson.com/protected/): The content you are trying to access is only available to members. Sorry. - [Register](https://stevepederson.com/register/): To register for a free membership, click here. - [Members](https://stevepederson.com/members/): Thank you for being a Member of StevePederson.com! Your Free Downloads: Click here for your free download of the Limited First Edition of my song You Are the Difference. Click here for your free download of the song The Meaning of Christmas. Click here for your two free downloads from the album Au Naturale. Click here for your free download of the album Twelve Songs of Christmas.   - [Membership Registration](https://stevepederson.com/membership-registration/): [optimizeMember-Pro-PayPal-Form register=”1″ level=”2″ ccaps=”” desc=”” custom=”stevepederson.com” tp=”0″ tt=”D” captcha=”clean” /] - [Membership Welcome](https://stevepederson.com/membership-welcome/): Congratulations, and thank you for becoming a member at StevePederson.com and a recipient of the Members-Only Email Updates!   Steve Pederson   Access the Members Home Page here.      - [Home v10: Magazine](https://stevepederson.com/home-v10-magazine/): [av_slideshow_accordion slide_type=’entry-based’ link=’category’ items=’5′ offset=’0′ size=’featured’ title=’no-mobile’ autoplay=’true’ interval=’5′][/av_slideshow_accordion] [av_magazine link=’category’ items=’5′ offset=’0′ tabs=’aviaTBtabs’ thumbnails=’aviaTBthumbnails’ heading_active=’aviaTBheading_active’ heading=’Economy’ heading_link=’category,136′ heading_color=’theme-color’ heading_custom_color=’#ffffff’ first_big=’aviaTBfirst_big’ first_big_pos=’left’] [av_magazine link=’category’ items=’5′ offset=’0′ tabs=’aviaTBtabs’ thumbnails=’aviaTBthumbnails’ heading_active=’aviaTBheading_active’ heading=’Lifestyle’ heading_link=’category,138′ heading_color=’green’ heading_custom_color=’#ffffff’ first_big=’aviaTBfirst_big’ first_big_pos=’left’] [av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’20’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’] [av_postslider link=’category’ columns=’3′ items=’9′ offset=’0′ contents=’title’ preview_mode=’auto’ image_size=’portfolio’ autoplay=’no’ interval=’5′] [av_one_half first] [av_magazine link=’category,140′ items=’5′ offset=’0′ tabs=’aviaTBtabs’ thumbnails=’aviaTBthumbnails’ heading_active=’aviaTBheading_active’ heading=’Science’ heading_link=’category,140′ heading_color=’teal’ heading_custom_color=’#ffffff’ first_big=’aviaTBfirst_big’ first_big_pos=’top’] [/av_one_half] [av_one_half] [av_magazine link=’category’ items=’5′ offset=’0′ tabs=’aviaTBtabs’ thumbnails=’aviaTBthumbnails’ heading_active=’aviaTBheading_active’ heading=’Health’ heading_link=’category,141′ heading_color=’red’ heading_custom_color=’#ffffff’ first_big=’aviaTBfirst_big’ first_big_pos=’top’] [/av_one_half] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)