Photo Credit: Darren Hester

I met E briefly at a networking event several weeks ago. I finally joined her (and also met her friend B) for coffee this morning.

After I got a mocha and sat down a long, rambling conversation ensued. We started on mundane business stuff, but rapidly progressed to entrepreneurship, education, history, art, teaching, parenting, and personal growth. It was a fun conversation, and two hours melted away faster than an ice cube on a July sidewalk.

Near the end, I apologized because I felt like I had monopolized the conversation. Both E and B said, “No! It was fun listening. You do so much stuff! You only learn these things from talking to people.”

It was flattering, to be sure. But I’m just a guy trying to find his way through life. I haven’t done anything I consider noteworthy. I have not backpacked around Europe, roller-bladed across the United States, become a millionaire by age 40, or skydived naked from an aeroplane. You won’t find a Nobel prize for curing cancer on my résumé.

What have I done?

• held a job
• fathered a beautiful daughter
• made some friends
• kept an open mind
• tried to get to know myself

Noteworthy? Not necessarily.

Why, then, did I tell my friends that “I live a rich life.” I have met fascinating people who do noteworthy things, tell good stories, and like to laugh. I appreciate other people and I choose to keep growing.

To me, that is a measure of a good life. What makes your life meaningful?

No?

Me either. But I did learn a few things today…

• Two nine-year-old girls are fun together.
• Girls change clothes before (and after) dance class much more quickly when they have the right incentive.
• It’s better with friends.
• Fathers should wear tennis shoes to the park.
• I still like love to play tag.
• Life isn’t fair, especially when you didn’t hear that someone else is now “it” and you were just tagged.
• Overtired 9-year-olds can still have meltdowns.
• It’s easier for (some) adults to ponder this important question: Would you rather be right or be happy?

I’m grateful that I could spend the afternoon with my daughter and her friend. I hope I find this again in a few (or many) years and it jogs my memory.

Photo credit: alkruse24

• One medium conference room
• Four tables
• Chairs as needed
• Eleven smart, creative, experienced people
• One packaged topic

Directions

• Arrange chairs around the tables
• Place people in the room
• Close door
• Stir with laughter
• Uncork the topic
• Shake gently
• Simmer 90 minutes
• Open door
• Allow people to trickle out

Servings

• Unlimited possibilities

Warnings

• May cause allergic reaction for those with closed minds
• May cause insomnia

Photo credit: H is for Home

“Write that down! It’s a good idea for a blog post,” I said.

“Really? A story about a yellow crayon?” Mom sounded almost dismissive.

“Yeah. It’s a good story! I think people will relate to it.”

“Hmm. I’ll have to find a way to make it about happiness.”

I don’t know if mom will blog about the yellow crayon, but I liked the story. After our conversation, I wondered if she would even have noticed those thoughts, let alone considered writing about them. I must have (and forget) a dozen random thoughts each day that teach a lesson, tell a story, or make a point. Some are silly, some are smart, and sometimes I trip over something profound.

How many times do you pass over little things in your day? How often do you dismiss a memory from your past, just because it was “no big deal?” Some of them may be worth another look.

You don’t know what might be of value to another. What may be “just a pebble” to you could trigger an avalanche of insights or opportunities for someone else. By not sharing, you deprive them of the chance to benefit.

Photo credit: jaxxon