Connection

The internet helps us connect with someone half-way around the world. Someone we would never meet in the normal course of life.

Starting a blog is a great way to find like-minded people. People who get what you are doing. Someone who’s traveled the road you’re on, and knows it’s twists and turns.

Lifestyle design can be very lonely at times. I tell people about minimalism, eating organic or vegan, adventure racing, exercising for 6 hours a week, or freelancing, and they look at me like I’m from another planet!

Of course that doesn’t stop them from mocking, criticizing, or giving me a freaking ear full of their opinions! Rather than listen with an open mind, they tell me what I should do, what I can’t do, who I should be, blah, blah, blah.

Where the heck am I going with all this?

Connecting with the right people can make taking the “road less traveled”….a whole lot easier.

Do you want to do something totally offbeat?

Do you want to live an epic life?

Is there something else you need to be doing?

Someone else you want to become?

Start a blog and reach out, you will be pleasantly surprised at the help and support you receive in return.

Friendship

Do you have a favorite hang-out? Panera, Starbucks, bookstore, library, park bench? A place where you see the same faces and exchange a “Hello, how are you? Have you ever thought of taking it a step further?

Of putting down that book, shutting down the laptop and striking up a conversation?Take the time to get to know them? Find out who they are, what they do, where they’ve been, their dreams, hopes, desires?

I’m a Ballroom dancer and several years ago I asked a simple question….that led to a lifelong friendship. The dance studio has parties on Tuesday and Friday nights. One hour of dancing with instructors and other students.

There was a family of 4 there most nights….mom, dad, son and daughter. The son sat out the parties doing homework. I hated seeing him missing out on the fun….and he had the most gorgeous smile. So one night I asked him to dance.

Ever the gentleman, he took my hand and led me out on the dance floor. We didn’t talk….just smiled at each other and danced. The song ended, he walked me off the dance floor, I thanked him, and went on to the next dance.

Next couple of parties we danced more often. It’s been 4 years since my first dance with Nick. We wound up entering a couple of dance competitions and did quite well. He is a phenomenal Ballroom dancer, and his family has become mine.

A chance encounter….a simple question, “would you like to dance?”….a new family and a LIFELONG friendship gained.

So go ahead….ask someone to dance (figuratively or literally)….you may be surprised what you gain in return.

Random Acts of Kindness

There’s been quite a buzz lately from a few A-list bloggers. All about how well the sales of their new ebooks or courses are going. How great life is….how many thousands of readers they have….and on and on.

In all that noise….one lone voice spoke out. He told everyone that he was in a slump. That life wasn’t grand at the moment…..that life in fact was the opposite. He wasn’t happy with any of it.

I’m reading Mark’s post and I can’t believe it. What? for real….it can’t be!? He just launched a new blog, The Donating Drummer. He writes such great stuff that makes me think and inspires me!!

I was going through a slump myself…and was feeling very lonely and isolated. I was losing the motivation to keep writing, and someone had just unsubscribed from my blog.

I probably wasn’t the right fit for that person. We just didn’t connect somehow. I know that….and I shouldn’t let it get to me….but it did.

During rough times, it helps to know that someone else feels what you feel. That they struggle, stumble, question, and have doubts like you.

So I commented on Mark’s article. Two days later I receive an email that Mark signed up for one of my affiliate programs. Mark was the first person to ever comment on my blog…and now he is my first affiliate.

Our lives would never have intersected if it wasn’t for the internet and my starting this blog. Someday I hope to meet Mark in person, shake his hand and thank him for this random act of kindness.

Connecting with like minded individuals, building life-long friendships, random acts of kindness…..welcome to my world!

Did this rock your world? Was it helpful? Did it resonate with you in some way? See those sexy social media buttons below? Go ahead and share this with friends, family, complete strangers….spread the good karma and it will come back to you.