Happy New Year!  We ring it in with a bang.  And then we have 365 days to live it out.  The universe began with a big bang.  And now it’s just…life.  We so often think life is meant to be a series of big bangs.  Bang! It’s done.  But once the bang has faded, we still have the rest of life.  And how we live each day often matters more than the bang.

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On This Episode

Rhythm of Life – What if They’re Doing the Best They Can?
Random Riffs – Baby, It’s Colder Outside
Feature Segment – Forget the Big Bang Theory

Today’s Quote

Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.  –Twyla Tharp

Rhythm of Life – What if They’re Doing the Best They Can?

Brene Brown’s therapist asked her a challenging question when she was complaining about how someone acted:  “What if they’re doing the best they can?”

Studies have shown that we often judge others by their results and ourselves by our intent.  I’ve seen that in my own life.  Empathy is when we don’t do that. When we understand what someone else may be feeling, rather than simply judge them.

So though I’ve seen that I sometimes judge others, I’ve also seen that I often judge myself more harshly than I judge others.  Maybe you do too.  What if you asked yourself a similar question: “What if I’m doing the best I can?”

As we start this New Year, why not take time to appreciate just how far come in the last year?  Then start this new year with a greater understanding of yourself and others.  Greater appreciation.  Knowing we’re all doing the best we can right now.  And that’s all we can ever do.

Random Riffs – Baby, It’s Colder Outside

In Episode 103, I talked about how annoying I found the song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”.  I didn’t say the song should be banned, which sounds like book burning.  But merely that perhaps its time had come to quietly be retired.  After I wrote the episode but before it released, a radio station pulled it from  its playlist, citing #metoo.  And then things went crazy.

People called in, demanding they reinstate the song.  Friends on Facebook discussed it back and forth.  Then William Shatner jumps into fray.  It got ugly.

It’s easy to love people in theory.  It’s harder close up.  When we don’t agree.  But let’s cut the noise.  Dial down the rhetoric.  Have real conversation instead.  Listen with the intent to understand.

In 2019, let’s agree to listen more than we speak.  To hear with our hearts.  To give as much as take.  Let’s make civil rights and #metoo unnecessary by treating one another as brothers and sisters we’re meant to be.

Let’s make this a happy new year for everyone.

Feature Segment – Forget the Big Bang Theory

The universe was created with a big bang.  Some say it was through a concentration of energy, and others say it was spoken by God.

That was wonderful and all, but what happens next?  And they all lived happily ever after?  Actually, the rest of life happens next.

Here at New Years, there are so many advertising products that promise a big bang.  Instant change.

Now quick fixes are great, because they help us see that change is possible.  Once we believe it’s possible, we’ll work harder to achieve it.  But we still have to work to make that change a habit.  Do it over the long haul.

Small, consistent actions done over time is what makes change happen.

We’re in the middle of a series on being an Artisan, and talking about creativity.  It’s easy to believe creativity comes in a spurt – like a big bang.  And that isn’t necessarily true.  It often comes by showing up day after day.

This New Year, don’t get sucked into advertising for Big Bang anything.  The Big Bang already happened.  Now it’s up to you to live the rest of your life.  With a series of little drips that makes a big difference.  What do you want to start dripping?  Let me know in the comments.

Artisan Series

090: Why You Should Be an Artisan at Work
091: The Three C's of Artisanship
092: Are You a Creator, Consumer, or Critic?
093: Where to Start as an Artisan? With a MAP.
094: What's Your Signature Scent?
095: The Foundations of Craftsmanship
096: Follow Your Curiosity to Build Craftsmanship
097: Craftsmanship Requires Change
098: Building Craftsmanship – When it Gets Hard
099: Building Craftsmanship – Take Care of Your Tools
101: Building Craftsmanship – Be an Apprentice
102: Building Craftsmanship – Practice
103: 4 Habits That Foster Creativity
104: Time for Wonder