A sunrise is Nature telling you that it’s time to cherish another day on Earth. Enjoy life.
The Gift of Adventure
The gift of Adventure - Joey gifted us this book for Christmas and we’ve had so much fun dating each other. It’s so important to find space in your weeks to be alone in each other’s company. Next, a dining journey, enacting scenes at each stop. Life’s an endless party with your soulmate.
Let the Good Times Roll
Laissez les bons temps rouler - (Let the good times roll)
Photo Cred: NOLA - nearly two decades ago
New Orleans is a city I cherish deeply. I spent a year amidst flavors that dance on the palate, moving to melodies that stir the soul, and among art that whispers of centuries gone by. There, in the air thick with freedom and expression, one finds the true essence of living unapologetically. To prioritize delight is not merely a choice but a way of life.
Imagine a world akin to the streets of NOLA, where authenticity is boundless and joy reigns supreme. Let us strive to embrace this spirit, where the good times roll, and every moment is an invitation to celebrate.
Kronos or Kairos
The ancient Greeks had two ways of thinking about time — “chronos” and “kairos.” “Chronos” is the time we can measure with clocks and calendars, like how long it takes for the sun to rise and set. But there’s also “kairos,” a different kind of time that’s not about counting minutes but about special moments that make us stop and feel something deep inside.
Richard Rohr, a writer, paints kairos as those breathtaking moments when the world stands still, and clarity floods in. We’ve all tasted such moments, rare and precious, like nectar to the soul, sustaining us through the ebb and flow of days.
In kairos, chronos fades into insignificance. We enter a state of flow, where time slips away, leaving us. in a zone where everything feels perfect.
How do we gather more of these special moments? We understand they can’t last forever, but how do we fill ourselves, not just our schedules, with kairos moments? How do we live not just by the clock?
Are these eye-opening moments more within reach when we step out of our comfort zones? Or perhaps it’s when we step out of our comfort zones, when time seems less important, that we’re more likely to follow our instincts, leading to more of those remarkable moments? I’m not entirely sure, but I’d guess that when I ditch my watch, put my phone on airplane mode, and ignore my schedule, I become more receptive to them. Maybe it’s because we’re more in tune with our surroundings, with nature, and with the people around us? Or maybe it’s something we each have to discover for ourselves.
What would happen if you lived kairologically for a week instead of by the clock?
Who else loves a great book, but can be a little temperamental about when best to enjoy it? Also, it’s hard to believe we’ve been in this house for over a year. The wildest things you imagine can be yours (like this bright and brilliant wall mural).
Learn to Unlearn
When you’re learning, you’re also unlearning.
Unlearning the program absorbed from the outside
Unlearning patterns and habits
Unlearning the belief that hold you back
It’s going to be messy before it becomes organized.
A Spark of Creativity
A spark of adult creativity can ignite an entire world-transformation.
The Renaissance - DaVinci, Michelangelo, Gutenberg, Shakespeare
The Industrial Revolution - Edison, Bessemer, Bell, Whitney
Creativity ignites innovation
The third and final priority for this season of mine, can you guess? Creativity
No as default
Proximity
Creativity
Of all people, when OpenAI’s founder, Sam Altman, was asked what kids should be studying in school right now he said this: “Resilience, adaptability, a high rate of learning, and creativity.”
Creativity is the future.
Consider this: Humans may not be the fastest or the strongest creatures, but we possess the unique ability to think differently, to envision fresh approaches, and to let our curiosity lead to the creation of cities, ideas, or even spaceships.
Regrettably, our current world doesn't encourage such a way of thinking. It prioritizes rigid paths and conformity while stifling curiosity, adaptability, and open-mindedness in the pursuit of fitting in.
My 2024 passion project is to teach others how to think again. How to be human again. And most importantly, how to feel alive again. Some of this will come from honing in on one’s intuition, and some of this will come from learning to re-embrace creativity and play as adults.
You ready?
Proximity & Access
I mentioned last week that one of my quarterly intentions is to set “no” as my default. Another intention this month has been to focus on proximity. Access to folks I admire. Some in similar places to me currently, and those who I want to be like when I grow up.
One Saturday in January, I spent one day with a group of successful entrepreneurs at an event in Florida. I left the event with a new energy to grow and a lot of interesting, non-obvious learnings.
The learning that’s the focus of this post: Find the room, gain access, learn all you can and begin to apply it, help others find the room.
This is grounded in a truth I’ve found over and over again in my life: If you put yourself in rooms with smart, ambitious, kind people, great things will happen.
In this phase of my life, my primary professional goal is to slinger in those rooms a bit more. I don't have a specific path or strategy, but I trust that if I am in those rooms, and create value for the others with no expectation of return, I’ll fare just fine.
Since the onset of the pandemic, I've found myself in an unusual state of isolation. However, nearing the end of 2023, I recognized the necessity to break free from this seclusion for my next phase of growth.
If you, like me, are yearning to escape the clutches of isolation, or if you feel trapped or stuck in a never-ending cycle, I urge you to prioritize proximity. Being in a space where you attract the right rooms and the right people is a truly rewarding experience. Alignment feels so good.
If Social Media Vanished
Would you fall asleep watching the snowfall or don five layers for two hours of play?
What is the true desire of your heart vs your ego?
No as Default
I shy away from resolutions for many reasons. One, I prefer to think of myself objectives in seasons, which bring down in a 90-day burst of action. This season, I've chose three priorities of focus; the first: No as default. We have only a finite amount of time in our lives, we must make it count.
Overcommitment is a silent and insidious enemy of productivity and mental well-being. When you constantly say "yes" without considering your limits, you risk spreading yourself too thin.
By evaluating each request and assessing whether it aligns with your goals and priorities, you regain control over your schedule. This empowerment enables you to allocate your time and energy to activities that truly matter, fostering a sense of accomplishment and balance.
Ego v Essence The Wolf You Feed
Two wolves, one fed on ego, the other on essence. You choose which one thrives. The ego wolf craves external praise and material gains, a hollow pursuit. The essence of the wolf seeks authenticity, rooted in intrinsic values. Feed the wolf that speaks to your true self, for that's the path to a life of substance and fulfillment. The choice is yours.
Do you likve for the Memory or the Experience?
Don't let memory chasing rob you of the experience. Look around your next concert: you'll see a sea of faces immersed in screens, recording the spectacle rather than absorbing it.
The key is choosing the now over what's to come or what's already gone. It takes practice, but nothing beats the raw sensation of all your senses electrified in the pulsating current of the moment.
EXTRAORDINARY magic happens when you take a leap before figuring out how you'll land.
Real faith doesn't wait for proof or give up. It's about moving forward even when you can't see the whole path. Literally, a blind leap of faith. Remember this.
I Bloom In Seasons
The evergreen, tough in the cold, showing resilience.
I am not an evergreen, for I bloom in seasons. But I look to the evergreen when bitterness for futility in my past creeps in.
Some may blossom, yet never truly bloom. I take pride in those defining moments, embracing the winters with the knowledge that the next season holds unforeseen possibilities. Every twist in our shared journey, every path taken, adds to the mosaic of our growth. Accepting the inevitable, we find the grace to honor the unique beauty woven into our individual tales.
You’ll Do Better When you Do Less
less people pleasing for more peace and boundaries
less shopping for more minimalism and space
Less scrolling for more presence
less trips for more vacations
less distraction more observation
less thinking more listening
Do You Believe In Magic
In Disney World, I witnessed the magic of a child's unfiltered delight.
In Disney World, I witnessed the magic of a child's unfiltered delight. Amidst the grandeur of towering castles and thrilling rides, it's the simple joy that reminds us of the power of imagination and a well-told story. Disney's magic is like a brilliantly written novel, where every detail counts. But it's through our children's eyes that we rediscover the beauty in all things truly enchanting.
Let’s Come Together!
I am deeply committed to creating empowering experiences that not only inspire personal growth but also cultivate compassion and understanding in our participants. As you journey through the retreat program, you will have the opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals who are also seeking personal transformation and a deeper sense of connection.
I believe that the impact of the retreat will extend far beyond the program itself. It is my hope that the lessons and insights gained during these retreats will be carried into the daily lives of participants, creating a ripple effect of kindness, acceptance, and positive change in their communities.
Together, let's embark on this transformative journey and co-create a brighter, more compassionate future. To join one of our retreats or learn more about the events, please visit the website by clicking on the link in bio. I look forward to welcoming you into our empowering community.
Most People Die at 25
Most People Die at 25... hear me out.
In Dan Koe's "Most People Die at 25" he says:
"They get their job.
They get their spouse.
They get their house.
They get their car.
They get exactly what society wants for them. Someone who is comfortable, docile, and of little threat to their system they are trying to survive."
Ahhh, the trappings of society.
Society often defines success by achieving certain milestones such as getting a job, finding a spouse, buying a house, and owning a car.
While these achievements may appear desirable, they can also lead to complacency and hinder personal growth
The Stagnation of Settling
Settling for a sub-par life can be like an anchor holding us back from the boundless potential that life offers. It's a barrier to personal and societal growth, blocking the natural flow of progress.
True growth and fulfillment thrive when we open our hearts and minds to new ideas, explore our potential, passionately pursue ambitious projects, and enthusiastically embrace transformative practices.
Don't let mediocrity be the silent killer of your dreams and aspirations – let it not symbolize the demise of innovation, the death of creative sparks, or the burial of new possibilities.
The world is full of untapped potential, waiting for those who dare.
So, ask yourself: Are you content with mediocrity, or are you ready to soar towards excellence? Your answer will shape your destiny.