Hi Friend
What a fabulous week! First though, I wanted to apologize for last week’s letter to you. My return trip was 24-hours long and when I finally arrived home to put the Instigator into the program that sends it, I was zapped. I didn’t proof it and it showed. It was definitely one of those things that I was just glad I got it to you, even if it was a bit ugly.
This week I had zero jet lag and jumped right into work. We are close to concluding our World Class Customer Service project and spent time on #StandardsOfExcellence. It was a compelling conversation with division leaders. Excellence is such a desirable state of being and yet seems so elusive. Establishing parameters for ourselves is a cool exercise.
It’s been a full week of travel also; in state and out of state. I weirdly like to be on the go. I’m content in my car, on a plane, in a bus, on the subway and definitely walking. This week I drove to Tulsa and flew to Tampa. I got to be with some fabulous people! I think I might be part Hobbit, because any time I leave my house, I feel like an adventurous journey is upon me.
I’ve said this before, but it’s been an onslaught the last couple weeks. Any person I talk to who is not a close friend, has offered me the same phrase: “SAFE TRAVELS”… people love this statement. It’s worth mentioning again, because all my closest friends know – and I consider you one of them – I don’t want “safe travels.” I want adventure. So those closes to me regularly wish me my preferred refrain “DON’T DIE.”
LIFE IS A STORY
You and I regularly banter here about the stories in our minds. Most of life is lived there. However, today, in the physical world we are in a story. We’re not the main characters, but when we woke up this morning, it’s like the book was opened and fell to the page of you and me. I want the reader to experience something joyful, unexpected and fun.
What’s the title of the chapter you are currently living? Are you able to step outside of your life and look in on it to evaluate if you like where the story is going? So many people act like someone else is writing the story and they are just acting out the script. We are the authors as well as the sidekick. None of us are the main character.
4th WALL
I suppose I think the “reader” of our story is in the spiritual realm. Whether it’s those gone before us or eternal creatures living in parallax, the studio audience of our sitcom life are riveted by our choices. Have you heard that one explanation of our existence as “we’re spiritual beings having a human experience.” I resonate with that deeply.
When people break the “fourth wall” in television, they look at the camera – directly at the audience – acknowledging they are aware they’re in a TV Show. My first memory of that being done was Bruce Willis on the TV show Moonlighting. It’s meant to include those watching, in on the joke. I aspire to acknowledge my audience.
What if true self-awareness meant we were capable of inviting others into our story, accepting we’re both the author and bit-player?
Instigating Ideas…
1. Tell someone what you currently love about your story.
2. Take a trip away from the norm of your existence, whether by foot, vehicle or air.
3. Consider your perspective about a studio audience.
4. Applaud someone for how they are navigating this chapter of life.
Our lives don’t fit in one genre. We’re living a drama, comedy, romance, mystery, action, thriller, slapstick, suspense, hopefully minimal horror, adventurous life. We can be more intentional about it, then we give ourselves credit. We certainly have more power to affect the day-to-day than we assert. Please assert yourself because it’s not just a spiritual audience watching, but family, friends, strangers, colleagues and random extras who view this show.
RIDICULOUS
There is a scenario from this past week that was just ridiculous. It makes me laugh very hard. I’ve only gotten to share it with a few people, because of the nature of it. (Obviously if I could, I would share it here with you, but I’m unable. My apologies). It might sound absurd, but right up there with wanting my life to be “adventurous” I want it to be “ridiculous”. That might be my gravestone: “He Lived A Ridiculous Adventure! (and provoked a few towards greatness along the way).”
I hope this week you define the kind of story you want for your life, take the role as author, and consciously be aware and attuned to your audience. It’s a best-seller that you’re writing/living!