What If We Become Radically Amazed?

Mid-April, Pemaquid, Me ~ budding begins

I’ve been wondering what habits, patterns, mindsets will remain post-COVID and which will just go away. There is one habit I’m trying to keep and I invite you to make it part of your ‘new norm’ too. It’s the habit of Radical Amazement. What the heck is that, you ask. Well, I shall answer! Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (one of my all time sages) winsomely said, ““Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted.” Why? Because “Mankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation.”*

Mackerel Sky” so named since it looks like the scales of a mackerel

I’ve spent a lot of time looking upward this past year plus. Literally and metaphorically. The colors, patterns, movement, sounds of creatures, breezes, gusts and silence of blue, clouds, canopies, greens, whites, grays. Every single day, I am Radically Amazed at the sky (ok, Maine sky). It never gets old, it never gets less majestic, mystical, magical and stunningly beautiful. It is different every minute, hour, day and yet the same ~ a paradox of the new and the steadfast.

Please join me in Radical Amazement. Today, this week, just go outside for a few minutes and look around - take a short walk, look at the trees, grass, flowers, creatures, everything and anything, feel the breeze, cherish the stillness, and dwell in some radical amazement to rejuvenate your mind and soul … to appreciate all that we have and are despite everything, all that remains glorious despite us. And if you’re willing, share it with me here. I wish you the joy and serenity of Radical Amazement.

*Abraham Joshua Heschel’s “G-d In Search of Man”

What Will You Tell Yourself in 20 Years?

Graduation time is upon us - so much has been learned, so much learning awaits. Some things are cool to learn, some not ~ I wish I’d learned more from others and spared myself a lot of pain. So, to my students (and friends & clients of all ages), here’s some advice that those of us who graduated in the 20th century wish we’d learned upon entering the ‘‘real world.” Please add some and share them with me!

• Show, don't tell;

• Know what you can, and can’t, control;

• Show up!! Be Present!! Don’t wait around for things to come to you!

• Use your skills & interests (you have more than you think) - the more you say it, the more you become it! Volunteer! Engage!

• Be your own best advocate - don’t wait for someone else - talk about your talents & victories;

• Don’t be afraid to fail - it’s a form of learning & applying … and it means you tried;

• You may be able to have it all - but not all at once;

• Just because you get along well with your peers, doesn’t mean you’ll be a good manager;

• It’s good to feel out of your depth - it means you’re learning;

• Talk to people, ask them about their stories, meet them where they are - and say Thank you!

• Be willing to take time ‘off’ your career path for a sabbatical if you want;

• Change on a dime by putting in a nickel;

• Experience!

• Love yourself and those around you;

• Be joyful - it’s more meaningful and lasting than being happy;

• Ask for help! Not knowing takes guts, courage and it’s how we learn;

• Say yes to more hard things than you want to do - grow your comfort zone;

• If you believe it can be awesome, it can;

• Don’t be surprised by your successes!

• Always do something for someone else, always give back;

• Be curious, open and skeptical;

• …

When Happiness = Disrupting! #DisrupTV!

#DisrupTV Episode 224!!!! Ray Wang, Constellation Research & Vala Afshar, Salesforce

A few weeks ago, I got to hang with 2 amazing people who always make us learn and laugh - Ray Wang, CEO of Constellation Research and my dear friend, Vala Afshar, Chief Digital Evangelist of Salesforce & communicator extraordinaire. This was my 3rd visit on DisrupTV!! If you want to learn about, and learn how to apply, the latest in technology for impact, you must watch DisrupTV and follow Ray & Vala on twitter.

One of our (mine & Vala’s) favorite stories is how we met and how Vala, through his network, made such a difference in the life of a kid with cancer, being supported by one of my students (now alum) & mentees who founded Connecting Champions.