Connected by love or blood

One of the greatest gifts we are bestowed is our family. And I am one of the lucky ones.

Parents who are now friends. A brother and sister-in-law who are soothsayers. Grandparents that can counsel but joke in the same breath. And a whole bunch of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and more to fill my cup of happiness.

As I get older, I realize the world isn't so clean and many have lost or never had a ‘blood’ relationship with some (or all) of their family.

But blood is such a tiny slice of the pie. The pie is rather large if you include those whom you love and love you back. And you can feel connected with them as much as your closest family member.

TGIF? TGFF. Thank God for Family*

*However you define it!

Together with TikTok

Okay, I’ll fully admit it: I am fascinated with TikTok. It has completely raptured me — especially in this brave new world we’re in today.

But why has it became such a force of nature?

For me, it’s a combination of three things: addictive design, bursting creative tools, and (perhaps most important) an inviting community.

  • Addictive design: TikTok immediately throws you into the product. No sign-in, account, onboarding. Rather than YouTube, it serves concentrated dose of 60 seconds with every flick of your finger that are vertical and fit with your screen. It immediately gives value without asking anything in return. Remember when you supposed to go to bed hours ago? Woops.

  • Creative tools: After a week, you get inspired to just throw something at the wall and see what sticks. The creative barrier of entry is intentionally set very low. You can lip sync with a trending song, change your environment with a ‘Green Screen’ effect, or add an AR effect with glasses. You really can explode your ideas into every which way.

  • Inviting community: We want to belong somewhere. Especially now — after life has turned virtual from this virus. But TikTok prides itself on its inviting, zany community. No need to polish, prune, or filter — unleash your authentic self into its atmosphere. And many people will engage and jump in with you. (Literally, with a ‘duet’!)

With the world far apart, we can still feel together. And TikTok gets huge credit for doing a bang up job.

Lanes of creation

Always been inspired by creators. Those who risk, push, expand their world — all by adding freshness and novelty through their work.

The crazy thing I am realizing: it’s not exclusive to one realm.

Many of those who I admire flex beyond their comfort zone — in areas and lanes that seem so far apart.

But funny enough, that’s the beauty of creativity. It can flow wherever you apply it - it just needs room to breathe. And then practice to take it from good to great.

A reminder to myself: open up my horizons to all creative journeys. It might make the drive even more enjoyable!

The Great Pause and Vessels

Our world has profoundly changed from this virus. Very easy to succumb to alarm, fear, worry and more. The new Great Depression.

But we have been given a gift: a Great Pause.

When the world is now at a ‘red-light’, what can you do with this time? What’s been thrown to the back burner for too long? A page-turner you left behind, that guitar that’s been getting dust, or even a relationship that’s been growing apart.

Despite the worst, our vessels are generally intact. So how are you planning to fill it?

Hard on the problem, not the person.

A great article that was shared with me left me thinking this week: "You’re hard on the problem and respectful of the people”

From any challenge or issue, either personal or professional - sometimes all energy gets misplaced on the wrong area: the people side. People will royally screw up, and that’s the fact of life. In fact, it’s very human of us.

But if we spend all the energy at the problem: what is is, why is it, how is it - with merciless precision, it becomes a ‘us’ versus that — versus “you” versus me”.

Treat people with utmost grace and patience. And then both of you can work together on making a problem part of your distant past.

No shenanigans and relationships.

Fred Wilson shared one of Twilio’s values in his fantastic blog: No shenanigans.

The idea that thoughtfulness and care comes from honesty and directness: what you say and do is what you get. It really resonated with me — especially even outside a work context.

Trust is built when you can match your actions and intentions, when your agenda is open and clear with as little as surprises. You can feel so connected when you know you’re getting the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So a call to myself: strive for less antics, less mischief. It’ll be worth it!

Did you intend to?

I’ve been subscribing to ‘5 Ally Actions’ - a weekly newsletter to expand out thinking on how we can all elevate our actions to improve diversity & belonging. (Wonderful newsletter - highly recommend subscribing!)

From these emails, a recurring theme that’s been playing in my mind: separating your ‘intent’ from ‘impact’.

Many of us mean well. We really do. We don’t ever intend to make someone feel small, far away, or diminished. But through layers of privilege, aloofness, ignorance — we sometimes add ‘hurt’ to people we work with, live with or love. That ‘impact’ is still very much felt for the party.

So rather than ‘excuse’ or ‘explain’ away your behavior, I’ve been attracted to the idea of ‘surrender’ and ‘acceptance’. Express your apology and regret with a full heart - and push yourself to not make the same mistake twice.

So the impact is actually left with ‘goodness’ - even if intended it to be that all along.

Full body 'yes'

What’s your decision? Yes or No?

Too often, I’ve felt in the middle. Easy to not commit when the consequences are stark or the answers are murky, And you can be lulled into the safe comfort of ‘grey’ answers.

But I heard something this year that resonated: Is it a ‘full body 'yes?

Is it a visceral, in-the-gut kind of feeling? Because that’s hard to fake, or misinterpret. It takes a full listen too - cutting out the din and noise of any inputs.

So when you feel it, you know.

Oceans and drops.

I’ve been anxious and worried this week about our evolving crisis against COVID-19. When will this end? How long will this go? Will we be okay?

Thankfully, I read a lovely post this week on Seth Godin’s blog: the ocean is made of drops.

It was a soothing reminder: We are not alone. We are one. And we must find the others and act together. Your community and tribe matter more than ever. Reminding myself to lean on them, and let them lean on me.

Our wave is coming.

“The dry seasons do not last. The spring rains will come.”

XXX

What a wonderful, humbling ride it’s been.

Grateful for so much. Family who loves, friends who hold, work that inspires, a home that comforts, food that nourishes.

Given the tough year with this virus, will be praying for our world to stand tall and recover. Let’s watch over each other.

Steph Curry and Culture Add.

This week, I’ve been exploring a few courses on building great, durable teams.

Two concepts that spoke to me on DIBs (Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging).

One, the idea of why great teams need to be diverse. Imagine Steph Curry: all-star guard with incredible handles and the smoothest stroke. He could (and has) won championships based on his talent. But would you want 5 Steph Curry’s on your team? Likely not. You need a lockdown center, big forwards and another shifty point. The diversity of skills make the team.

Two, when you’re getting that championship team, they don’t have to always have a ‘culture fit’. Then you’ll look at the room and see pure reflections of yourself (more or less). Rather, look for culture add. Someone who doesn’t think or look like you but will invariably raise the bar.

So when hiring: think differently, hire differently. It’s a rising tide that will raise all ships!

Linear paths and washing machines

I heard a humbling story about grief this past weekend.

In a podcast, Emma Tait recounts the story of loss: losing her love, losing her brother to suicide, and losing herself all in a few months.

And she struck a chord: the idea that grief is never linear. It’s not a line graph that goes up and to the right. In fact, you’ll feel much like a washing machine. Tossed and turned and spun, there will be weeks of good days sandwiched with a terrible day.

Most of us, this process will feel rough. You’ll tell yourself: it’s not working. I’m not healing.

But Emma gave some comforting words: You don’t get to see the path, you only get to feel the path. And whatever you’re feeling is natural. Remember: You are doing everything. You just aren’t trusting you are doing everything.

So, take heart. You are on your way. Everything will be better in the end. If it’s not better? It’s not the end.

Dullest ink

I heard a really great phrase this week:

The dullest ink is better than the sharpest memory.

I sincerely believe in this. There’s so much to remember. to-dos, birthdays, reminders, moments. And our poor brain can only keep so much in there. And it’s prone to forget easily as well.

That’s why for almost a decade plus, I’ve sworn by my (digital) brain to help keep it all together. And the amount of peace it brings me knowing it’s all there.

So my Friday tip: write it down. You won’t forget!

Daydream and down time

There are always moments in the day where you have a breath. Maybe you’re waiting, or commuting, or resting.

That brief period - what do you do? I know what I do. That sensation you get to pick up your phone and look. There’s always something to catch up on, right?

That seems to have a grating effect on my life. Loss of thoughts. Loss of wonder.

In an effort to dream, I’m just trying to take that time back to myself. And it starts with looking out than looking down.

Five and favors.

When someone reaches out for help, that’s an act of strength. Never easy to admit: "Hey, I haven’t figured all this out. Can you be there?”

But I realize, our first instinct is usually to estimate. How much time will this take? What do I have going on? What work will be needed?

I realize now that so much can happen in ‘five’. Five minutes to do a quick connect, review, text of encouragement. But that ‘five’ can be a massive multiplier to a person in need.

Take 5. You never know how much it’ll mean to someone.

The first cup of coffee

We lost my beloved Ajji this weekend.

And after 60 years, my grandpa had his first cup of coffee by himself.

Decades of busy mornings, relaxed mornings, ecstatic mornings. But now, a quiet morning.

It fills me with so much emotion:. A shared life and love over a generation. And now, a somber new beginning.

Ajji: you brought so much light to my grandpa. And to me. I’m sorry the last few years were so hard. I will miss walking with you, giggling with you, praying with you, and being with you.

I hope your first cup is heavenly too.

Community and Crews

This weekend, I am headed for a reunion for a dance crew, Punjabbawockeez. It’s a group I joined a decade ago.

The crazy thing is: there are deep connections between members almost a generation apart. Authentic camaraderie and care that is hard to fake.

My brother and two of my close friends have built a wonderful culture of connection that has stood the test of time. Something I rarely see from groups this long. As I was thinking, what makes this so community so unique?

  • It’s the journey, not the destination: From the beginning, the founders believed in fun and friendship over results. That made every practice, event, competition more joy than work. And that brought people to show up because they wanted to, not because they had to.

  • Meet for real: Every year or so, a group of planners ensured we had an opportunity to meet IRL. We went to NOLA, LA to ATX. That made a huge difference, because connection is forged on the ground level. Not on FB, IG or chats, but in different places with fun spaces.

  • Bring your (whole) self: People are the undercurrent of a good community. And we took people who brought themselves to the fullest: the zany, the goofballs, the pranksters and everything in between. You never hid from yourself, and everyone embraced it.

There’s a quote I like to describe this: An overnight success is 10 years in the making.

And I am proud of what the team did to foster such a durable and joyful community.

Tell them.

We love so deeply for some people in our lives.

Do they know though? Have they heard it out loud?

Maybe it’s not your style. Maybe it’s fear of vulnerability. Maybe it’s a lot of things in your head making you hold back…just a little.

For me? It’s taken years to break open these words: “I love you & you matter so much to me.”

Tell them. You will feel better. And chances are they will feel even better too.

Keep your shoes on

I’ve been lucky to be able to stay in a few family and friend’s homes in the last few weeks.

And I’ve been struck how well some people can take care of their visitors. Little details like luggage racks, hot food, fresh towels, phone chargers, easy-breezy entertainment.

When you stay with people who look after you so well, comfort reigns supreme. You leave fuller and happier than when you arrive.

Want to sprawl out? Go ahead. Wear your sweats? Please do. Keep your shoes on? This is your house!