Stand Out

Stand out...make people smile.

Hole in One

Yesterday we took a short trip to Anacortes, WA where there is a small park next to the Victoria Ferry called Washington Park. We have a family custom of driving to the top of the park where the cliffs overlook the sound and sea passage and taking pictures in an old gnarley tree that has withstood the winds of time. In the past couple years, we have added yet another custom that has proven to be much more intriguing...cliff golfing. We take the driver with us and hit balls into the straight to see who can actually hit the water. There is no greater satisfaction that hearing the "clink" of the driver.... a very long pause....and then the "sploosh" of the ball hitting the sea. Making memories required anti-lemming activities. What makes a day memorable are the moments that stand out. Adventure is what draws hearts together and is the bond of committment.

Lemmings

Lemmings are best known for following the crowd to their death. I have always had an aversion to being a lemming. How can you be a Lemming and still be distinct?

We are all Lemmings in elevators. The unspoken Lemming Law is to enter, turn around, push the button, and look up, scoot to the back if more Lemmings enter. No meeting of the eyes is allowed. You are permitted to talk on a cell phone and pretend that you are all alone, pretend that no one can hear you. You can look past others but there is an invisible social shield around you that prevents interaction and protects vulnerability.

The Lemming Life does not lead to distinction. To be an average, vanilla, lame follower is to be a filler-kind of person. Fluff, a utility. Even subtleties of uniqueness can attract excitement and curiosity from others. They make us memorable.

Next time you are in an elevator....break the shield. Lose the Lemming in you.

Surprise Them...Be Distinct

What makes you distinct? From the time you rise in the morning, to the moment your head hits the pillow again, you have the opportunity to make a distinct impression on every person you interact with throughout the day. What will make each contact memorable? With each opportunity, did you surprise the person you talked to, or evoke emotion? That is what makes you distinct from anyone else. Surprise them and be memorable.