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Learning and Trying New Things Never Gets Old


Happy Spring! I recently attended the brazenly-titled Wisdom 2.0 conference – sort of a Lollapalooza of Mindfulness – exploring the importance (and challenge) of staying present in today’s hyper-connected, super-busy world. It was indeed a Wisdom-fest!
 
In the spirit of getting wiser— or at least smarter— here are some choice nuggets from my 2019 so far. If anything in here compels you, pass it on.

 
  1. Attend a conference or gathering, just for the heck of it. Conferences and gatherings can be overwhelming, but the right one can also be game-changing. Especially when you’re challenged to think more expansively. We live in an age of amazing gatherings (like Wisdom 2.0, TED events, publication-based festivals, and the list goes on). Make a point this year of investing some money and time in a gathering that makes you both a little uncomfortable and a lot excited. You’ll be glad you did.
     
  2. Spend your money on experiences, not things.  You’ve heard this one before, but it’s always worth a reminder. Experiences are where we grow, connect and embrace the fullest range of thought and emotion. People uniformly value experiences over things. So get your spending priorities in order. Read this to learn more
     
  3. Curious about exploring plant-based medicine?  There’s never been a better time.  Author/Guru Michael Pollan was a headline speaker at Wisdom 2.0, discussing his latest book called How To Change Your Mind. Pollan examines the history and amazing potential – medical and personal – of plant-based medicines (aka: psychedelics). The book is a fantastic read. I’m super captivated by the possibilities he explores (and I have some personal experience to boot), so reach out if you'd like to discuss.
     
  4. Make podcasts a bigger part of your life if they aren’t already. New York Magazine recently devoted its cover to the increasingly essential medium of podcasts. If you’re not already a convert to podcasts, read this.  Podcasts are rocking my world these days, and they should be rocking yours. NY Mag recommends 100 podcasts worth listening to.  Here are some of my faves that focus on personal growth and transformation.  
  • Adam Grant’s Work/Life, one of the smartest thinkers around discussing mastering work and life while keeping them in sync with one another
  • Jay Shetty is today’s breakthrough voice in growth and development, a former monk who is packaging age-old wisdom in a way that is fresh and energetic
  • The Tim Ferris Show, featuring one of the best interviewers around engaging with the most interesting guests you can imagine on mastering work and life
  • Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations. You can’t help but be moved and transformed by O’s conversations with a line-up of the world’s most inspirational guests
  • Hay House is the go-to publisher for many of the best-known authors on personal growth and transformation.
  1. Feeling the creep of age? Try embracing being a “Modern Elder.” What does being an “elder” mean to you? Sure, it includes age, and yes, it's about experience. But mostly, being an elder is about the way we bring our age and experience into the world, generously sharing our gifts while remaining open to learning at the same time. It’s what my friend Chip Conley calls being a “Modern Elder,” and it’s a very powerfully way to be. There’s a crazy strength in reframing your sense of getting older with a claim of evolving into an elder
     
  2. Meditation and mindfulness are being applied in mind-blowing ways. At Wisdom 2.0 I heard about so many powerful applications of meditation, from healing in the wake of the Parkland shooting, to supporting firefighters managing stress, to helping corporate employees find meaning and focus in their daily pursuits. There’s never a bad time to get your meditation practice going. How about … now?
     
  3. Focus is essential, it’s hard, and you need to get better at it. There is no argument from anyone that our hyper-connected, totally wired world makes it difficult to focus. So learning how to place your attention on what matters most is essential. Here’s how.
Finally, my favorite quote from my three days at Wisdom 2.0 came from Jack Kornfield, a well-known coach, author and Buddhist. He was talking about the importance of mission … the way that having a mission of meaning and value provides a foundation for growth and a way of inviting in what you need to make it happen.
 
“Tap into a vision that’s bigger than you, and the world shows up to support you in making it happen.”
 
What is your vision for the person you want to become?  How connected is your vision to the people and world(s) that surround you? And how willing are you to trust that if you stay connected to your vision, it will be manifest?  
 
Ponder, go forth and make your vision for your life real!

David
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Contact David at 917.331.1243 or info@davidalport.com