MUSIC: Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson

My friends and colleagues pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson inspire me to be a better musician.

SPORTS: Bond of Brothers

Merry Christmas

Film: In Sickness and In Health

Film: The Kite Runner

There is a way to be good again. After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

This is one of the most beautiful stories and film about two childhood friends in Afghanistan.



Watch the trailer

Finding Hope Website with Personal Stories

"What is hope and how can it help me?" "

What do I need to do to have hope?"

I'm inspired by a powerful new website called Finding Hope where people are sharing their stories of hope. The site contains information on finding hope using videos, scriptures, images, and more.

The site is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but applies to any person of any denomination who is looking for help and believes in God.

Here is the latest video from the http://www.lds.org/topic/hope/

FILM: The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas is an inspiring story of the ridiculous nature of bigotry. Young Bruno lives a wealthy lifestyle in Pre-war Germany along with his mother, elder sister, and army Commandant father. The family re-locate to the countryside where his father is assigned to commandeer a prison camp. A few days later, Bruno befriends another youth, strangely dressed in striped pajamas, named Shmuel who lives behind an electrified fence. Bruno will soon find out that he is not permitted to befriend his new friend as he is a Jew, and that the neighboring yard is actually a prison camp for Jews awaiting extermination.

FILM: The Marathon

My dad is a journalist. Early in his career he did a documentary that chronicled his journey to run a marathon in 1978. We still talk about it to this day because it inspired so many people to get in shape and run. (There are 3 parts - This part 1 and there will be link to the 2nd part)

FILM: Walk On by ESPN

Walk On - ESPN Video - Watch more Sports Videos at Vodpod.

VIDEO: My favorite TV Commercial

I think all of us would rather not have commercials in our lives. But, every now and then there's a spot that inspires. Here is my favorite commercial:

MUSIC: Susan Boyle on Britains Got Talent

This is inspiring. The 47 Year old Susan Boyle from a villiage in Britain wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables.

We're not allowed to embed this video in a blog so you'll have to click on the link to watch it on you-tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5TBgD9kHI

MUSIC: What About by Peter Breinholt

Peter Breinholt is performing with a few of my other friends and colleagues in the music business on April 6 to help benefit our family while I await a heart transplant. "What About" is one of his most inspiring lyrical songs. Listen to his words.

VIDEO: Inspiring Story about a Girl with a New Heart

SERMON: The Power to Create something Unique

One of my spiritual heroes President Dieter F. Uchtdorf delivers a powerful sermon on the ability to create something unique!

LITERATURE & MUSIC: Les Miserables

I think we can all agree that the story of redemption in Victor Hugo's classic Les Miserables is beautiful and inspires hope in any person. The popular musical adaptation not only moves me but has enlightened my mind with the importance of having strong melodies in music. If the songs doesn't tug at your heart then it's not that memorable.