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Tag: connection

Give thanks

The ability to show and express gratitude is one of the greatest gifts we can give to another. Gratitude is a powerful tool, one that can shift perspectives and brighten a dreary worldview in an instant.
A dear friend in Nepal once told me, “It is always possible to look up and see who is above you. People driving cars. The airplanes. My father said we have to also look down. There is someone wanting what you have.”
Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite celebrations for that reason: The gift of reflection, of simple joys, of quiet thanks shared with friends and loved ones.
To search for blessings during the toughest moments requires diligence and responsibility but also practice. Today’s a great day to start.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Want to have meaningful conversations at your Thanksgiving dinner table but not sure where to begin? Check out Seth Godin’s Thanksgiving Reader.

Intentional spaces, event planning, and work that matters

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Will Bachman on his podcast Umbrex. We talk about my dinners in New York, my work with Seth Godin, and what I’m doing now in Nepal.

Listen here.

Consider this your friendly reminder that it is never too late to start.

Want to leave a lasting impression? Do this.

People want to be snapped out of their reverie. They want something different, something new. They want the unexpected to happen.

And this is why most people’s faces are tucked into their devices, mindlessly scrolling. They are searching for meaning. They want to find something that makes them feel. Anything — A photo, a comment, a message, a piece of news that makes their pulse quicken and heart skip.

What if I told you that you could be that pulse-quickener? That this is where your strongest and biggest power lives: Your ability to be somebody’s unexpected.

You could be the moment that brightens someone’s day.

This doesn’t have to be a huge, grandiose gesture. You don’t need extra time or effort. A simple hello. A thoughtful email. A friendly phone call. A message of encouragement.

Here are five more tangible ideas:

  • Walk across the room and compliment a stranger.
  • Pick up your phone and call a distant friend.
  • Order and send lunch to a colleague.
  • Leave flowers in your office.
  • Hide a note for someone to find.

Though these small moments may feel risky, a place where you open yourself up to the world, a position of vulnerability, it is in those exact places where the unforgettable lies.

How do you want to be known?

A lot of people are searching.

We’re questioning the ways things are done and how they are run, the notion of work, the ways in which we live, and the relationships we invest our time in.

We’re actively searching for meaning, for what makes us happy and how we can have an impact — whether helping ourselves or helping others.

No matter where you are along this journey, I’d like to encourage you to “check in” every so often, to make sure your daily decisions are contributing to a life of joy and generosity.

Actively work to create moments and accomplishments you’re proud of, regardless of fame or fortune. Because in the end, your essence and your passion is how people will remember you.

What you leave behind matters most.

Modified from original post found here.

Guilt is worthless (mostly)

Guilt can be split into two faces: The kind that is paralyzing and negative, a harmful state that serves nothing and no one; and the kind that can help you fix what is broken.
The first kind, for obvious reasons, is worthless. This kind of guilt will trick you into thinking you are worthless. It robs you of your most present and precious moments and kills your confidence.
The second kind, however, can be a gift. This one can push you into unexpected growth. Instead of living in shame, this guilt prompts action. It can apologize for wrongdoings and set wheels into motion. New behaviors, evolved patterns, inspired creative projects.
Don’t fall victim to the first kind. If you find yourself wallowing in that direction, force yourself to turn the corner and see what good can come out of a tricky emotional experience.

Sweet and spicy

The most talented chefs have memorized which flavors keep diners coming back for more. These particular dishes aren’t ones that fall into strict “Spicy,” “Sour,” or “Sweet” categories. Instead, they combine elements of several flavor profiles and artfully merge them into one.

The best freelancers — and lovers — understand this balance, too.

Give a creative too much freedom without structure, and ideas will bounce wildly about the room. Set some boundaries, however, and that creative energy can be harnessed into productive results.

Similarly, too many restrictions placed on any partnership will end up in resentment and distance. Fire needs air to breathe. Your most passionate relationships will continue to burn if you give them the space to do so.

The best work and the most satisfying relationships evolve out of unique blends of hard and soft, sweet and spicy, routine and surprise. Find the combinations that work for you.