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Category: Meaningful Connection

Minus The Headaches

Published on October 24, 2021

Sometimes the best way to learn isn’t through experience, but through other people’s experience.

And it’s not even like those experiences are hard to come by.

They’re abundant. They’re accessible (especially to those reading this). And there are plenty that are completely relevant to you and your path.

Here’s the thing: you could just venture out onto the path and wing it.

Or, you could chat with the guy who’s just coming back and learn a thing or two.

It’s the insider tips that not only keep you on the right path, but get you to the best viewpoints along the way—minus the headaches.

To The Kind Hearts Who Read This

Published on October 20, 2021

Be generous with your thoughts.

When those who express kind, constructive, supportive thoughts are quiet, then our collective mind is taken over by those who spew overwhelming amounts of the opposite.

We may only be one, but we are connected to ten.

And so are they.

Will You Get A Do-Over?

Published on October 5, 2021

You can always get up after you fall.

And you can always try again if you miss.

But you can’t ever recover hateful words after they’re spoken.

Nor can you undo harmful actions after they’re taken.

Lesson? Move quickly when you’re focused on growth and generosity.

And move slowly when you’re charged by emotion and hate.

Love Renewed

Published on September 30, 2021

You can’t just give love once and expect it to last.

…Or twice, or three times, or ten.

Love needs to be regularly renewed.

…Twice, three times, ten times per day!

…Or week or whatever works for you and yours.

But it will only last so long as it is renewed.

As soon as you stop renewing your love, like Netflix, it’ll only be a matter of time before it expires.

Fragmented Communication

Published on September 16, 2021

What’s worse than not communicating?

Fragmented communication that gets misconstrued.

It gives the illusion that communication happened when really, it didn’t.

And what follows are actions that are taken on unclear, confused, incomplete information.

…What leads to fragmented communication? Fragmented listening.

What leads to fragmented listening? Fragmented attention.

And what leads to fragmented attention? A person’s belief in their ability to multi-task.

Here’s the thing: you can’t. So, don’t.

Start single-tasking your attention with those whom you’re speaking with.

And if you can’t single-task with them, then don’t even try or pretend to try to.

Fragmenting a conversation can do far more harm than not having the conversation at all.

Our Art

Published on August 31, 2021 
The picture you paint in your mind
as you read the words I arrange
is the art we create together

The Greatest Gift

Published on August 30, 2021

One of the greatest gifts you can give to another is freedom.

And I’m not talking about the kinds of gifts that are given on birthdays. I’m talking about gifts that are given with the intent of bettering another person’s life.

Freedom can be gifted to another in many forms. Some examples might include: Freedom for self-expression; freedom from obligations; freedom to explore uninterruptedly. And each is incredibly powerful.

As I return from vacation, I’m reminded of these gifts.

  • My mom gifted me the freedom from my household obligations. She cared for my dog and kept the house in order.
  • My coworkers gifted me the freedom to explore uninterruptedly. They kept the school running, serviced our students, and managed the day-to-day operations without interrupting my time away.
  • And while I was away, someone I knew made a life-changing announcement about their identity—and virtually all of the people who we’re both connected to embraced this announcement with nothing but love and encouragement. Being immersed in this type of freedom for self-expression is unbelievably empowering.

Here’s the thing: these gifts were given out of turn, without expectation of return, and with love. Which is precisely why they mean so much.

If you only give people gifts when you’re “supposed” to, so that you can get some type of return, and/or out of obligation—it might come as no surprise that that’s what’s reciprocated and for the exchange to feel lackluster and superficial.

Remember this as you think about the people you love most.