Season 1 - Episode 005 Shine, Don't Reflect Part 1 with Chris Hannibal

Chris Hannibal is a master magician that inspires and leaves his audiences in complete awe! He started his stage career at the age of 6. You will be on the edge of your seat while he tells the story of how his mom was taken from the earth much too early. Please join us in welcoming Chris Hannibal.

Stephen and Hannibal met at a USO event that they were doing together. Stephen had the opportunity to sit down with Hannibal to hear his story and from the beginning was mesmerized. Hannibal is now a master magician and a motivational speaker, but he didn’t start off that way.  He found his God given gift and purpose while doing street performances just to keep food on his family’s table. He believes that each step of your journey is simply getting you closer to your dreams and goals. Sometimes those dreams and goals aren’t realized until later in the journey. He would never have dreamed of his accomplishments when he first started. If he had seen his accomplishments before he started, he might have been too intimidated to even start.

We can all take a lesson from that: you may not be exactly where you want to be right now, but keep going. This step, perceived as big or small, is simply getting you to where you are meant to be. As Stephen said, each step up a mountain is making your legs stronger. So when you start to climb your next mountain, you have more strength than you did before. Your next climb will be easier and faster.

Hannibal shares with the listener the importance of finding your passion and talent. His mom always supported and encouraged him to pursue and continue with his talents. She was taken away from this earth too soon. Life is too short to waste your passions and talents.  When she was unexpectantly taken, Hannibal was encouraged to never give up. His talents were gifts given to him and they were natural skills that he sharpened over time.

Don’t take your talents and passions for granted. Sharpen them now, live them out, and work to make them better.

Everyone can and should take the time to find their passions and talents. Some steps and questions to ask yourself that can help you live the life you are meant to lead are as follows:

Sit down in a quiet environment with a pen and paper. Start writing out the things you enjoy doing and the things you have talent in. Is it playing a musical instrument? Writing an incredible story? Crafting something with your hands? Take some time each week, maybe twice a week, to practice these talents. How can you sharpen, polish and make them better? Are these some things that you can see yourself doing each day? Can you turn your passions and talents into a career like Chris Hannibal?

Tune in with us today to hear the heartbreaking story of how Hannibal’s mom left us much too early and how he went from a street performer to a master magician. Don’t forget that this is only Part 1 of our incredible podcast with Chris Hannibal. Join us again next week to continue hearing from this amazing speaker! Please comment below and share us with your family and friends. See you next week for Chris Hannibal Part 2!