Sometimes
“weak”
is merely us judging
someone’s pain
as unworthy
of appreciation.
Quotes
Mutuality
Much will change,
when we are willing
and able
to help others feel understood
to the same degree
with which we
want to feel understood.
Much will change
when we are willing
and able
to provide what others need,
instead of what we think
they should need.
Serial Enterepreneurship
“How many startups
have you founded?”
I asked.
“This
is my 3rd.”
she answered.
“That
could not have been
easy.” I said.
“It’s like
having kids.”
she replied
without hesitation.
“When you have them,
you tell yourself
‘never again!’”
she continued
smiling.
“But somehow
you forget that
and before you know it
you’re having
another one.”
Wisdom
The root
of “wisdom”
is “weid-,”
“to see.”
When we realize empathy,
we connect
our experience
with that
of another.
Experiences
we did not know
to connect.
And it is in that instant,
we come to see
something
we previously
did not.
If Steve is right
that creativity
is coming to see something
others
could not
by connecting
experiences,
then perhaps realizing empathy
is creativity
imbued with the wisdom
of love.
3 Times
First time,
just do
to learn.
Second time,
do and apply
what you’ve learned.
Third time,
optimize.
Then
move on.
To Become One
To become one
is not
to be
the same.
No two “things”
can ever be
the same.
Especially so
if you consider
their locations.
To become one
can be
to become one
of a new kind.
Just as two rings
can become
one chain.
Boundary of Responsibility
May we ask ourselves
where
our responsibility
ends.
Where
the limits
of our ability to respond
lies.
Because our responsibility ends,
where our ability ends.
To assume otherwise,
can be an easy way
to set us up
for frustration
and resentment.
Trust and Knowing
We don’t just
know.
We trust
that we
know.
When trust gets shaken
so
does our knowledge,
and with it
the illusion
of certainty.
Illusion of Progress
We tend to associate
progress
with forward movement.
But forward movement
is not necessarily
progress
if in the wrong direction
In fact,
it may be
the opposite
of progress.
May we check
our direction
before assuming
progress.
Same Thing
When someone says
the same thing
over
and over
and over again.
There lies an opportunity
to explore the depth
and nuance
of the supposed
“same thing”
with the realization
of empathy.