Author: John

I failed my November writing challenge. The experience was great though.

The only line on my resume I dream about is to have “author” next to my name. Writing a book is the one item on my bucket list. I’ll get there.

But, what do I write about?

Mortified then Magic

Imagine you’re brought on stage to sing along with your favorite band. You’re swept up in the moment. Rock on. Then you fall flat on your back in front of thousands. Yes, and…

Every moment can be beautiful depending on how we choose to react.

Long time ago, I had a friend named Jerry. Everyone loved him because of he was always happy to join you. He lived by “yes, and…” Every embarrassing moment became an enjoyable laughing memory. He dared.

Jerry would ride his bike across counties to see friends. He was a free-spirit. He hopped on his bike from LA to Irvine, slipped at the freeway off-ramp, and crushed his chest. He died.

Jerry’s funeral was big with family and friends a plenty. When friends gave their eulogies, stories of Jerry were met with so much laughter.

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou.

We choose. We can make a moment, or be mortified by it.

Tone of Voice

We’re all essentially singing. The quality of our interactions and relationships has more to do with the tone and rhythm of our voice rather than the words we say.

George Carlin is the greatest stand-up comedian of all time. He held attention and poked into the hearts of millions. Jon Stewart clued into Carlin’s uniqueness. It was all in his voice.

Stewart: “It’s interesting, you know. As I watch you now and through all the years of listening to your albums and things, your fascination with language…it’s so apparent. Watching your work is like almost like watching a musician. You know the way you weave words and use language for emphasis…”

Carlin: “…what we do is oratory. It’s rhetoric. It’s not just comedy. It’s a form of rhetoric and with rhetoric you look and listen for rhythms. You look for ways to sing at the same time you’re talking…”

The power of voice is how we carry it. Self-awareness in how we’re delivering our voice determines our results in life. Voice is more than an avenue to fame.

Chris Voss was an FBI hostage negotiator who had to talk to the nastiest and most violent killers terrorizing our world. Voss experienced the highest-staked conversations – “Give me money or I’ll kill everyone!” He never won with logic. He learned to set the tone. Voss coined the secret as the “Late-night FM DJ voice.”

We all have unique and individual texture in our voice. The listener hears range. Opera is the exaggeration. Subtleties make the difference. When we control our inflections, we direct our own results.

Voice ain’t found. Practice.

Rumination

Eyes are the windows to our souls. Staring blankly into space with negativity is a sign of rumination (i.e. the process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, which tend to be negative or sad). Acknowledging someone’s rumination draws powerful bonds.

Slumped shoulders and a blank downward stare. It’s a real unfunny signal of depression. We can spot it a mile away.

When do we get involved? How can we help?

Take a whole look. When someone is ruminating, but you notice they’re rubbing their hands or forehead…they’re self-soothing. They’re in bad thoughts, but trying to figure it out. Give a good listen, but no need for alarm. It’s when someone is ruminating with no clear signals of self-soothing that my siren blares.

So, I jostle. Not scare, but just a firm interruption with acknowledgement of the negative thoughts. “Hey. You’re here with us right now. Be here. You can dwell on your shit later.” Honor their inner world, but have them honor the fact that they are not alone.

Rumination is often the eyes to heart-break. We see it after broken marriages. We see it when their child is in the hospital. We ruminate when we feel powerless over losing what we love.

Catch a drifter.

Jay-Z feels bad for me, son.

Whatever happened to “fuck yes“? Why would you ever be excited to be with someone who’s not excited to be with you? – Mark Manson

I love enthusiasm. Sky’s the limit. Dogs. Children. Even my cat. Coming home to excitement fills my heart. Inclusion wins me. I hate being forgotten along the fringes.

Curiouser and curiouser. Tell me your story because I love seeing how far the rabbit hole goes. They say I’m a great listener. Two ears. One mouth.

Feelings are mutual. People like us because we like them first. We all want to be accepted. We all want to be heard. We get what we give. Chin up.

Every day is new.