Alex here,
This past week, I had an extraordinary experience with nearly complete strangers.
On a daily basis, it’s tempting to fall into the trap of disconnecting, often fueled by the flood of news or the allure of our phones, creating a divide between us and the world around us.
I’m often reminded that shedding my ego often leads to a remarkable shift in how I’m able to perceive everything around me and I find it to be a powerful lesson to remember.
Whether it’s listening to a new idea on how to make a pizza or discovering a deep love for a Taylor Swift song. Nothing is possible until I am truly open to accepting someone else’s viewpoint.
Lately, I’ve been actively trying harder to catch myself from making judgments about people, places, music, food, ideas, and politics.
It’s far simpler to disagree than to truly listen and understand, but I have to incessantly remind myself that this is a trap.
Last week served as a poignant reminder for me to hold my opinions and simply exist in the present moment, fully engaged with the people surrounding me.
That’s where real growth can happen.
“If you’re gonna make connections which are innovative… you have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does.”
– Steve Jobs