“All of us have experiences and challenges. The baggage and drama are optional. It's all in how you choose to look at your life.” – Clay BoatrightToday’s featured fellow Christian author is a father, nationally recognized volunteer advocate for people with severe disabilities, and the Founding Chairman of Texas Health & Human Services’ IDD System Redesign Advisory Committee, Clay Boatright. Clay and I had a chat about his book, “God's Plan, Our Circus: A Family Odyssey through Autism, Death, and Reinvention”, the joys of dating in your 50s, and tons more!!! Key Things You’ll Learn:The challenges of raising children with disabilities and how it led to disability advocacy at a national levelWhy challenges can be seen as blessingsWhy it’s good to get some sleep for better decision-makingThe power of appreciation over expectations Clay’s Site: https://clayboatright.com/Clay’s Book: https://a.co/d/25tgMzD The opening track is titled "Money Trees" by the magnanimous chill-hop master, Marcus D (@marcusd). Be sure to visit his site and support his craft. https://marcusd.net/Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmon You Might Also Like… Ep. 344.5 – “Poohlicious” with Mary Elizabeth Jackson (@Mary_E_Jackson): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-3445-poohlicious-with-mary-elizabeth-jackson-mary_e_jackson/ 248.5 (Host 2 Host Special) – “A Self-Kick of Positivity” with Shelley Knight (@ShelleyFKnight): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/2485-host-2-host-special-a-self-kick-of-positivity-with-shelley-knight-shelleyfknight/ Ep. 710 – “Trusting Your Mommy Instincts” with Colleen Faul: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-710-trusting-your-mommy-instincts-with-colleen-faul/ Ep. 484 – “What’s Wrong with My Child” with Elizabeth Harris (@elizabethwwwmc): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-484-whats-wrong-with-my-child-with-elizabeth-harris-elizabethwwwmc/ Ep. 483 – “Baby Aviva Orangutan Diva” with Hans Kullberg (@AvivasDaddy) #BABYAVIVA: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-483-baby-aviva-orangutan-diva-with-hans-kullberg-avivasdaddy-babyaviva/ 214 – “A Spoonful of Courage” with Dr. Charles Page (@cwpageauthor): https://www.podpage.com/going-north-podcast/214-a-spoonful-of-courage-with-dr-charles-page-cwpageauthor/ Ep. 586 – “Flipping Bad Situations into Joyful Children’s Books” with Violet Lemay (@violetlemay): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-586-flipping-bad-situations-into-joyful-childrens-books-with-violet-lemay-violetlemay/ #M2M Bonus Ep. – “A Mother’s Mission to Save Her Child” with Deborah Beauvais (@DV7radio): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/m2m-bonus-ep-a-mothers-mission-to-save-her-child-with-deborah-beauvais-dv7radio/ #M2M Holiday Bonus Ep. – “No One Will Take My Child” with Peggy Willms (@CoachPeggyW): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/m2m-holiday-bonus-ep-no-one-will-take-my-child-with-peggy-willms-coachpeggyw/ Ep. 567 – “The Suffering Guy” with Jim Barnard (@jimmahbarnard): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-567-the-suffering-guy-with-jim-barnard-jimmahbarnard/ Ep. 696 – “Available As Is” with Debbie Weiss: https://www.podpage.com/going-north-podcast/ep-696-available-as-is-with-debbie-weiss/ Ep. 471 – “How to Turn Suffering Into Something Good” with Darci Steiner (@DarciJSteiner): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-471-how-to-turn-suffering-into-something-good-with-darci-steiner-darcijsteiner/ Ep. 389 – “Unshakable, Undaunted, & Undefeated” with Elizabeth Meyers (@thelizmeyers): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-389-unshakable-undaunted-undefeated/ Ep. 723 – “Love Lingers Still” with Marinda Dennis: https://www.podpage.com/going-north-podcast/ep-723-love-lingers-still-with-marinda-dennis/