On book club, friendships, courage, curiosity, and collaborative learning…
Starting this week, I will summarize the key points of my blog post at the beginning of each writing. If you don't want to read the entire post, I want you to walk away with at least the following points:
- Let courage push you forward—you'll be amazed at what you can do.
- Keep an open mind and stay curious. Learning from each other is one of the coolest parts of life.
- Surround yourself with positivity and inspiring individuals; it can profoundly transform your perspective on life.
Now, for those patient people who want to read the whole thing, here it is:
Three friends from three different states came together last weekend and had an amazing time with each other. Yup, we stepped out from the tiny Zoom screen into an adventure, and it was no less than a story out of a storybook.
What a blast last weekend turned out to be! After spending a whole year only seeing my book club buddies as tiny faces on Zoom, we finally met up in person—and you guys, we had such an incredible time! Our time together involved laughter, heartfelt tears, karaoke in the car, and dancing by a waterfall. It was as magical as it sounds. I came back super inspired, with my note app filled with new ideas and my head buzzing with exciting thoughts. And of course, I had to share my experience with my growth mindset community, so let me break down the awesomeness into three big takeaways:
Dare to Do
Do you recall my blog post from the end of 2023, where I wrote about playing a quick reflective game with my family and friends? This is the blog I am talking about (click here)! One of the questions the game had was, "Your 3-5 words/phrases for 2024." One of my words is "Courage." We often hold ourselves back, sweating the small stuff and scared of taking big leaps in life. But not this year! My new motto? Lead with courage. Whether it’s speaking up in meetings, trying out new activities, connecting with people, or taking any reasonable risks, I’m all in.
The idea to meet my book club buddies in real life—yes, that was me pushing past my nerves. I still remember my nervousness as I was typing my heart out, thinking in the back of my mind, "What if they don’t like my idea?" I guess I could say the fear of rejection was solid. But since I was determined to be guided by courage, I told myself even if they said no, I put myself out there and it’s not the end of the world. You already know that was the story I made up in my head. Everyone agreed and hence the meeting happened last weekend. As I look back, I can't help but think about what I would have missed had I not been brave enough to ask. Pushing through your fear, whatever it may be, is so worth it. Last weekend filled my heart with gratitude as we spent quality time together, met their families, and created unforgettable memories. The laughter, songs, and connection still give me warm fuzzies! So, if you are holding yourself back from something, be brave and just do it! You can thank me later 😊
Stay Curious, Keep Learning
The world is an oasis of knowledge—there is so much to learn. Curiosity? It’s the best tool we've got. Over the past few years, I’ve realized that people love sharing what they know, as long as you are eager to listen. Last weekend, I got a crash course in everything from the best skincare routines to making smart money moves—and you bet I've been all over Google this week, diving deeper into those topics. Not to mention ChatGPT. If you are good at giving prompts, ChatGPT can teach you things so effectively. Now, if you need a crash course in prompt engineering, I am your person. Just let me know, and I can teach you a thing or two that I know. Anyway, my point is: never ever underestimate the power of asking questions and learning together. It’s seriously the best way to grow.
Find Your Tribe
Human connection is everything. We're basically wired to thrive in communities. My book club has become more than just a group of readers—it’s a family. If you're on the hunt for your tribe, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Whether it’s through books, music, sports, or any creative outlet, finding your people is transformative.
I started this blog to form a community of individuals with The Growth Mindset, so please don’t hesitate to engage with my posts, comment, and interact with each other! Who knows? You might find your best buddies through my blog. The possibilities are endless, my friends!
Not everyone could be as lucky as we are in turning online friends into real-life buddies. But if you have a good feeling about them, go for it. Meet them, spend time with them, and see where it takes you. My experience was absolutely golden. Plus, who doesn’t want an excuse to dance by a waterfall, right? (wink, wink).
Thanks for swinging by!
See you in the next blog post!