Nir Eyal’s book is next on my list. I just enjoy and appreciate how he thinks and what he thinks about. He’s been deeply personally involved in the promotion of his new book Indistractable.
If you’ve read anything I’ve written or heard me speak over the past 2 years you know how much I value attention more and more. His work delivers on that hypothesis value and observation in a powerful way.
He posted this quote today. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for the great new work some of today’s thinker and writers are producing. He also seems to be a pretty good guy.
Last weekend we celebrated my Mama’s birthday. He turned 60. His heart and spirit has held firm in his early 20’s since I first met him.
On his special day he bought gifts for our kids. Books. A funny flying drone.
And then today he sent over these; gifts for the rest of us. Pictures of our son.
#iamgrateful and #iamthankful for these pics, this boy … and the amazing love my Mamas have always showered me with now extending to the next generation.
Blow has been an understated indulgent flick for me on so many levels. But the scene after George teaches his first class and then tries to catch some zzzz’s. The conversation with Diego. The panning back and forth across the characters during the dialogue. Always stuck with me as a way to tel a story. What I missed … was the story being told. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for catching it this time tho.
One of the things organized religions do well are setting aside specific days for important and healing moments. Where rituals turn from service to some higher power to interaction courtesy and respect to the highest power IMHO, the people we live and live for.
As we sit in the heart of Yom Kippur, I’m inspired by the day. There is so much to the ritual of Yom Kippur as I understand it (an outsider) that puts me in position to do my own apology: if I’ve done anything to hurt or offend you, I apologize. If I can make it better, let me know and I assuredly will. It’s not just Yom Kippur, as Sanskrit has also taught us and as my Jain family knows too well with Paryushan and DA’s Lakshan. Which goes back to the original point of many faiths, cultures and religions getting something like this right.
FWIW, the apology is as much about the words (many say that’s the easy part but that isn’t true or more people would do it more often; and also, the hardest step is the first, shifting energy from potential to kinetic so I argue that leading with the words often enables momentum against the sincerity of the apology and ultimately, the resolution.)
Yom Kippur is the holiest day for a reason. My favorite part is when people share their apologies in the group; and what happens next sounds magical: the group leans in and shifts the context from the individual apologizing to the group absorbing ownership. From “I did this” and “I apologize” to “we did this” and “we apologize”. Sins, errors, mistakes—are communal. It’s the highest form of one of my favorite guiding principles, civic responsibility and the social contract.
I can’t think of a more beautiful moment inspired by faith, than that. Anywhere. And #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for the nudge, reminder and space.
So if you are apologizing. And I love you (so many of you I do), then as someone who loves you I say the burden is mine too. Share the weight of your known and unknown regrets; because as my Jewish friends have taught me in the past 24 hours, apologies and forgiveness love company in a way more inspiring way than misery.
What’s best about these days of forgiveness? You need not follow this faith or any faith to participate. Which is why I’m participating. You can too.
If you owe an apology. Or if you acknowledge we make mistakes that we never see; embrace the moment. We’re with you. And for those formally embracing the day, may your fast be easy.PS: As a fan of slow jammy 80s covers, I thought sharing this would be WAY better than sharing a Bieber hit:
I spoke to soon. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful and I should keep my eye on the prize, that prize, in perpetuity. I have plenty of outlets for my gratitude; this one is a documentation of my own for those moments when the world is too busy to ride alongside me.
I’m excited for this next phase of my life and career. Gratitude will be more front and center. So it’s not a wrap. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful it’s not a wrap. There’s too much to appreciate.
One of the greatest moments in your life is finding your forever love. That can be a person. A passion. A place. So many things.
You know it when you find it.
Which is why I think one of the greatest honors in life is being invited to participate and witness someone’s wedding. That moment when they choose to celebrate and codify that love for eternity.
It’s they’re greatest moment. And now they’re asking you to join them for it.
Whoa.
Today I was lucky enough to make it to the wedding for a person I think the world of. And after meeting her now husband a few months ago, I can agree I feel the same about him.
Cici Haynes your wedding was beautiful, inviting, aware and warm (yeah, it was 90 degrees but I’m not talking about that kinda warm!) Your friends and family represented you and their love for you so well today. As an old man, out of place at arrival, I found myself welcomed and feeling at home quickly. That’s you. That’s Chris. That’s your power. That’s the byproduct of your love.
iamgrateful and #iamthankful I was invited to be a part of today. Even more so. I’ll tell you, I love you both, and I absolutely love your love.
Look at this pic. My wife. Stunning. My daughter, dressed to an adorably fine pout. This is one of my favorite pictures ever. Because it’s modeled on one of my mom ( Renu Bhatt ) doting on and kissing a 2 year old me. And it fits with the others of my wife holding one or both of our kids. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for these moments captured. And pleasantly re-shared.
Suneet Bhatt 