I have for many, many years tracked book excerpts, lyrics, movie quotes, and other things that have inspired me or caused me to stop and really consider things. I’m here because I want to share some of my favorites with you.
First is a Chinese proverb which says, "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is today." I think the message that's most important here is that we’re always capable of envisioning a “better time.” A better time to have learned a new skill, to have tried something new, to have conquered a fear, to have become something you've always wanted to be. There is always going be a “better time.”
But later we’re going to say, "I should have done it yesterday. I should have done it when I got out of high-school. I should have done it last year." What I love about this proverb though is the idea that the second-best time is today, which should inspire you to say, "Stop bullshitting yourself, stop making up excuses, stop telling yourself it's too hard. The is the second-best time, is right-the-hell now! Right now." So, go after it. Just go after what you want and stop complaining that it's too late.
The next one is from Maya Angelou who has so many quotes that I love, it's really hard to choose.
But, the one that comes to me most often is, "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, “I'm with you kid. Let's go."”. What I love about this is that it speaks to the fact that life really rewards us for having the energy and enthusiasm to conquer those fears. Getting out there in the world and smelling, tasting, touching, feeling, and interacting.
The thought urges us to be out there in the world doing and living fully, not just sitting on the couch with the dogs watching Netflix. As tempting as the latter can sometimes be, it's so important to leave your comfort zone and really experience things—remembering that life rewards that.
The best experiences in my life, some of my favorite memories and funniest stories, are when I have conquered my fears by getting out there and trying something that made me a little bit uncomfortable. I went after something big and scary—trusting that life would reward that.
The last one I’ll share with you today is from a movie called “Almost Famous”. If you haven't seen it you should—it’s really good. The quote is, "The only true currency in this bankrupted world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
The thing I love about that sentiment is that it really speaks to the value of authenticity. I think we're so often trying to put on a show and tell people what they want to hear—strangers, acquaintances, friends, and sometimes even family.
The true currency, what you really base the most rewarding connections on, is you nerding out—being “uncool”. In these moments you are saying “This is who I am and I'm not gonna apologize for it! I'm gonna enjoy it!”. That's how the authentic and lasting connections are made, simply being who you are. How cool is that?
Go out there today, not tomorrow, and take bold, courageous moves in your life, and enjoy what makes you uncool.












