Before I get out of bed every morning, I greet the day with gratitude. It’s my own ritual of meditative thought, creating mindfulness and presence to keep me motivated. Lately, I’ve been grateful for a couple of unique opportunities that came my way.
Thank you, Best Self Atlanta, for the recognition, and congratulations to my fellow honorees.
Best Self Atlanta Magazine included me in their recent feature, “2020 Over 40 and Fabulous”, and listed me among the top ten. I am humbled and honored to share this spotlight with an impressive group of philanthropists, business owners, and leaders who are truly making a difference. Read the profiles of my new fabulous friends, and you’re sure to feel inspired by the work they are doing to protect the environment, mentor others, and set examples of overcoming adversity.
I also had the great pleasure of sitting in the guest spot on The Daily Huddle, a 30-minute conversation focused on sharing advice that carries from the personal to the professional. The “Question of the Day” during my appearance was: What inspires you each day? With an open mic and a captive audience, I was off and running and grateful to offer my inspiration. Of course, I talked about my morning meditation of gratitude, and then we discussed the family crest which my wife, two daughters, and I created to illustrate the values that guide us. It’s made up of four symbols: a curly cue for creativity; a fork, knife, and spoon which together represent generosity and passion for cooking for others; a book to remind us of the joy of continuous learning, and lastly, a globe to celebrate travel, exploration, and a reminder to repair the world if even in the smallest way. It was no small task to engage the kids on this topic, but it was worth all the effort a year or two after its creation when we were struggling with a big financial decision and my daughter said quite clearly, “What do our family values say about this?” In that thunderstruck moment, the course of action was clear.
Thank you to the listeners who followed up with questions and, as a reminder, if you are going to initiate this conversation with your children, I highly suggest starting it when you have them in a contained space like during a long car ride!
If you read my profile or listen to the interview, you’ll also hear my story about the power of action. My family and I participated in a peaceful protest supporting Black Lives Matter, and then we made phone calls and wrote letters supporting the Georgia Hate Crimes Act which became law. That all happened in a matter of just two weeks. We were in awe over how quickly change happened, proud to serve as a catalyst in that moment, and again, grateful… Grateful for progress, opportunity, and the platforms to share my story to connect with my community and make the world a better place.
The Daily Huddle, July 10, 2020