BECAUSE NOTHING IS CERTAIN...
My friends are dying: Cancer, Alzheimer's, Heart Attacks, and Covid-19.
Before anything happens to me or you (and it will one day), can we spend up to 60 minutes having a conversation that matters?
This is one part 60th birthday present to myself and one part mission to create a deeper connection to the people who have made this a truly wonderful life.
With highly restricted connection since March of 2020, and the passing of almost a dozen people in my life recently, I am taking a step to deepening at least 50 relationships while I still can.
It's become clear that what I have, the only thing I'll ever really have, is the quality of my relationships.
Any or All and More: Laughter. Tears. Insights. Trust. Fears. Confidential. Revelation. Connection.
I'm looking for long-form conversations that I will remember when I'm falling asleep at night, with perhaps a moment or two that I'll remember for the rest of my life.
An opportunity to share what matters: what we long for, what we've lost, who we love, what inspires and frustrates us, and what we are doing that scares, satisfies, and/or excites us.
My ask is that both of us bring ourselves, 100% focused and uninterrupted, to the conversation.
Realistically, this should be the exact opposite of feeling caught up because we read each others social media posts.
Because I've promised, "someday...", "let's talk soon...", or "I want to hear about...", for most of my life.
And every single time, I've meant it.
This is a step towards delivering on those promises to myself, and to you.
If we know each other in real life and have had mutually deep, meaningful, memorable connections (please, no "social media only friends"), or have promised each other a date that will likely never happen, and if a powerful conversation with me is something we'd both remember - grab a date and put it in your calendar. I've blocked off 2 - 3 Pacific Time for every single Tuesday through early 2023.
I've had a few powerful conversations that were over in 10 minutes, and some that we wished would never end. It's scheduled for a maximum of 60 minutes and we'll both know if it should end sooner.
This is easier than you might think, and it's unusual for many people.
Below is a far-from-exhaustive list of categories and topics. Basically, if it's real, touches something deep inside, offers an opportunity to say something new or challenging or brave, bring it.
It's a space for any and every emotion, reaction, or reflection.
Where we are in life and love and health. What keeps us awake at night and what makes us laugh like careless children. Parenting, family, a heartbreak, something you're ready to take on or something you're ready to never do again.
In work, our community, for the world, or in our own home - what are we doing to play a bigger game? What are we doing to leave a legacy that is truly memorable, worthy, and representative of the life we lived ?
What we miss, honor, resent, or long for from our past. How those experiences affected us, and how they defined us. Pictures or words or stories - facts or slippery memories, we are the sum of our experiences - together and apart.
I'm hopelessly uninterested in celebrity news, professional sports, crypto currencies, social influencers, sports cars, or weather. I promise not to bury you in my dogma if you'll do the same. We'll have a safe word of "mercy" if it's time to change topics. No hard feelings!
I don't know where we met, but I can promise you it wasn't in a normal/muggle/pedestrian event or situation. I've had very few of those in my life and, for the most part, those people aren't seeing this invitation.
You and I have drunk from deep wells, and I'm sure we have unfinished conversations to explore.
If this doesn't resonate with you, no problem. SPOILER ALERT: I wrote it specifically to attract or repeal. Trust your gut.