Every segment of your life you can choose or choose not to participate in.
Unfortunately, today, “checking in” somewhere is the easiest way to check out.
What happens when your phone knows your global position, but you don’t?
If you’re there (and if you’re reading this you are there somewhere), wherever ‘there ‘ is, you have a role in the story that’s unfolding.
Awareness is The Great Predecessor of all worthy ideals.
It goes be, do, have. Not have, do, be.
Where the rubber hits the road.
Where the submit button sends your post.
Where the streets have a name and where the streets have no name.
Where the speech leaves the stage.
Where music hits the listeners ear.
Where hope is received.
Where an experienced is enjoyed and simultaneously joy is exchanged.
All…
…is…
…a by-product…
…of one’s romantic waltz in the trenches.
If you own a callus, it was not gifted to you, it was earned.
But you will call it a gift.
Or maybe the more appropriate question is, what are your craving to be at the end of your fork?
Most times we give into the cravings. Because no matter the diet, we crave the foods of that diet. A bad diet craves bad foods. A good diet craves good foods.
Back to your fork.
What’s at the end of it?
Hope?
Gossip?
Purpose?
Pity?
One thing our culture can never seem get full on is stories. Great stories. Stories with well nourished characters.
So when you live a great story, in a way, those around you are well nourished – i.e. – inspired and encouraged to be alive in their own story.
Or put another way, when you nourish yourself, you give light and direction towards what will nourish others into their own great stories. Life, at its core, is a constant conversation about our metaphorical diets.
Alas, your story isn’t your fork’s fault.
It’s safe to assume that the majority of the world is rolling their eyes over “another” Monday while sipping their Starbucks and logging into their inboxes…right now.
But let’s call today what it’s worthy to be called: a period filled with moments that have never been. AKA possibility.
So here we are.
Today.
Now.
This moment that has never been…is…yours.
As much as you want and as hard as you may try you cannot TiVo today or pause the sunset that is coming. This thing is happening and soon, very soon, you’ll ask where it went.
The element of surprise just may be the most rewarding and life-giving gift our days.
If today is typical, that’s your fault.
“What’s good on the menu here?” A seasoned waiter or waitress knows that this is not really the question the guest was asking. In all reality, it was a stated desire. What they really said was, ‘I’m here to dance and I need you show me where that happens on the menu.’
“Where should I put my money?” The financial planner, if he’s listening here, recognizes this is a request for long-term dance-ability. In other words, the question was ‘where can we put this so that I’m dancing at 90?’
What questions are you most often asked? Chances are these questions need to be pondered, because the answer probably isn’t as obvious as one may think.
Leadership reads between the lines. Leadership looks below radar. Leadership uncovers music in the noise of questions.
Whatever you do, you’re role is to be the dj of whatever your industry, sector, or market is.
Here’s some beauty for today: Your words, your insight, and you – the individual – are the music.
Next time you see a globe, think dance floor.
Next time you see yourself, think DJ.
Cue the music.
Ashton.Gustafson 