Dare 4 - April Update
Tulip Season, Mt Vernon, WA - 2025
How are you doing with the April dare: Grow your network by 1-2 people?
I currently see a physical therapist, and I don't look forward to these visits: the exercises are repetitive, my legs get achy, and my physical therapist is often quiet. This time, I dared myself to do something different.
When we started, my physical therapist asked me about my weekend plans, and I shared a couple of things. I then asked him about his plans, and he mentioned a track cycling class he’s signed up for. I asked for more details about track cycling, and we were off! We got into a long discussion of how track cycling works (the specially-built bicycle has only ONE gear and NO brakes) and how events take place in a velodrome. Like field and track events, there are multiple track cycling events of different lengths. I was fascinated!
Amsterdam, 2019
We then talked about the Tour de France, the different type of stages, and the kind of athleticism that's required for 21 grueling days of cycling through winding mountain roads in high altitudes, lined with crazed fans. The discussion kept my mind busy while I cycled through my exercises; the time sped past, and before I knew it, we were done! While there was no yellow jersey waiting for me at the end, the win was clear! This was one of the better visits, and it happened because I chose to get curious about someone else’s world. It was that simple.
Copenhagen, 2023
About 25 years ago, a long-time friend of mine and I attended a conference. She's extroverted and has no trouble striking up a conversation with anyone new. I'm in awe of her skills. At one point during the conference, she walked away from me and I started to follow. She turned around and told me she'd rather go alone to meet people. What??? I had to talk to people by myself? How cruel could she be? Seeing my shocked expression, she told me 'Imagine that every person you meet has a buried treasure inside. It's your job to talk to them and find it'. I never forgot this idea, and managed to meet several new people at that conference all by myself! Such a powerful lesson.
Now it's your turn:
What are you discovering as you engage with your loose connections?
What treasures are you finding?
What kind of world are you creating when you connect better with those around you?
Cynthia with siblings, 1966
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