A great place for architects and debutantes

“In every encounter we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.” - Brennan Manning

Of all the gifts that we could ever give to another person, none holds more potential than giving life itself. And I love the idea that every interaction I have with another human being offers me that grand opportunity.

It doesn’t matter if my next encounter is a short conversation, an email, a meal, or a 4-hour business meeting, it always offers me the same opportunity… to brighten another’s existence by breathing life into theirs.

Once correctly understood and applied, this simple, profound thought calls us to be more intentional, more thoughtful, and more persistent. It calls us to…

1. Smile more.
2. Hug more.
3. Give more compliments.
4. Write more love notes.
5. Offer more forgiveness.
6. Ask more follow-up questions.
7. Show more interest.
8. Have more compassion.
9. Talk to more children.
10. Remember more names.
11. Leave bigger tips.
12. Use kinder words.
13. Laugh at more jokes.
14. Make more eye contact.
15. Treat others to more coffee.
16. Listen more intently.
17. Give more time.
18. Stop to catch-up longer.
19. Promote others more often.
20. Be more optimistic.
21. Be more sympathetic.
22. Be more patient.
23. Celebrate more successes.
24. Ask to pray more often.
25. Dream bigger dreams for others.
26. Cook more meals.
27. Ask elders for more advice.
28. Spend more time reminiscing with old friends.
29. Donate more to charity.
30. Remember more details.
31. Sing more songs.
32. Display more affection.
33. Give more apologies.
34. Focus less on differences.
35. Invite more to come along.
36. Read more books to your child.
37. Offer to help more often.
38. Trust more.
39. Give more responsibility.
40. Say more thank-you’s.

Give more life. Because there, you’ll find more for yourself as well.

***

Because when we give life, it gives back so much more.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Make this a day you promise to yourself to do one happy thing. The holiday is about love and creating reminders of the things we accidentally forget at other times of the year. You are your own Valentine and you should really GO ALL OUT this year. Do the most elaborate self loving thing you can imagine, and then don’t forget to do the same every other day of the year.