Musings – crypto lauren

While traveling for work – Whether that be by plane or car – I like to indulge on TED Talk podcasts. When I listened to this one, I nearly pulled over to start writing out this post.

Celeste Headlee’s “10 ways to have a better conversation” outlines the ingredients to nurturing more effective and genuine conversations in your day-to-day life. This portion of her presentation was extremely useful – But what spoke to me the most was the message she closed with.

Go out, talk to people, listen to people, and most importantly, be prepared to be amazed.

This resonates with me deeply. Whether it is over the phone or in person, I am continually reminded of how incredible it is to listen to someone’s story or idea. Every single person I meet has their own path, passions, and struggles. It is so important to step outside of your own to recognize and openly appreciate the things others share with you. It helps me be more human than I ever could when I’m focusing on myself and what I want.

I have bad days. BUT I can say that I wake up most days EXCITED. Even on a normal day, I know that the world is at my fingertips. I often tell people that I don’t drink coffee because I literally get adrenaline the moment I open my eyes and realize it’s a new day. The phrase “Prepare to be amazed” describes this feeling so well – So thank you Celeste for spreading a message I try to live by.

Amid so much tragedy and conflict – I find this excerpt from the last page of Andy Weir’s popular novel The Martian especially uplifting.

It’s hard sometimes to remember all of the people willing to line up to help when communities keep getting destroyed by natural disasters, lives continue to be lost at the hand of senseless violence, and political arguments divide nations across the globe. I often talk about how blown away I am by humankind’s capacity for kindness and generosity. When you see someone fall, you feel compelled to help them back up. I never forget the small gestures from strangers. From being prayed over late at night in the lobby of a hospital to an elderly woman paying for my bus fare while I frantically dug through my purse for change – These are things that you often don’t forget, that move your heart in the right direction.

As a highly emotional and empathetic person, I am often overwhelmed by these things. I gasp when a friend offers to help me move and rarely read a letter from my grandma without crying (Don’t think for a second that I’m not tough as nails – I’ve got thick skin but a big heart). The way Andy Weir puts it is very easy for me to consume – He has us look at the bigger picture and reminds us that human beings have a “basic instinct to help each other out.”

Yes, there are assholes who just don’t care, but they’re massively outnumbered by the people who do.

Category: Musings

Be Prepared to be Amazed

Basic Human Instinct