Monday, May 4, 2009

Change the Station, Expand Your Network


I've been inspired. I'm blasting out the cobwebs, turning up the music and just plainly getting on with things. With that, I'm learning about people. Someone (probably more than one person) said one small degree of change at the beginning make a world of difference at the end so this is what I have changed:
  • The radio station I listen to
  • Reading offline
  • Renewed commitment to better eating
  • Insisting on gratitude, openness, and respect
This mind is open and willing to receive new experiences which includes new experiences with people online and off. I believe we meet the people we need to meet when we need to meet them. With a conscious decision to learn, our awareness needs to be turned on. Unfortunately, many of us walk around with little protective barriers and not so open minds.

Have you ever re-read a book that continues to make a difference? Last month, I re-read The Celestine Prophecy. For those of you who don't know, this book by James Redfield was a hit back in the early 90's and one of its messages was about learning from each other and how each of us has messages for the other. Reading this book in my college days, I embraced the "meeting who we need to meet" philosophy. It was interesting for me to recognize that core belief, ignited nearly 20 years ago (along with a ton of what we'll call life exprerience for now), still alive and part of my life force.

It's a choice to either connect with others or not. I think lots of social media enthusiasts get this. For things to work well, you have to connect. You can't connect without asking questions, and you can't ask questions without listening or reading at some point. Once you decide or become aware of what sort of people you are looking to connect with, you'll see opportunities pop up. Will you be looking broadly or will you have your blinders on?

Life has changed for me, there is no doubt. I'm enjoying the shift in my mindset and in the new roads ahead. I'm grateful for the relationships I have developed over Twitter resulting in both local and non-local friendships. Some have transferred offline and that is something really neat and authentic too. See my post about Hiding Behind Technology.

So who are you? What can we learn from each other?

Nimbly,
JCM

P.S. Thank you to Kneale Mann (One Mann's Opinion) for inspiring today's post.

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