A spirit of discovery makes life worth living and the world a better place
I learned early on how awe-inspiring the natural world can be. Some of my most memorable moments and meaningful insights came in and through nature: experiencing the power of a right-above-us thunderstorm in the dark; feeling the breeze waft through the windows of a tent on a cool fall night; listening to a loon call on a deserted lake. There is magic in such moments—moments that bring a sudden, electrifying spark of clarity… when the world shifts into focus in a new way, when confusion or the sense of being “stuck” give way to a surge of discovery and possibility… of awe and even joy. I believe the greatest gift you can give others—and yourself—is an opportunity to experience those moments in everyday life. Moments like these have renewed my strength and sense of purpose in otherwise murky times, and I have seen the same with others—across contexts, continents, and generations.
In consulting and executive coaching, I see these moments when a long-held perspective about an organization’s culture, a person’s capability, or “how we do things” suddenly shifts and a whole new set of possibilities opens up.
In leadership and management, I see it when our team is able to “go deep” in conversation and then experience the burst of energy and creativity that follows; or when a skilled consultant takes on a new challenge and in wrestling with it, sees something in a wholly new way—rediscovering their passion and potential in the process.
In parenting, I see it in my children’s exuberance when they try something new and find it rewarding; when they get lost in a book, article, or TikTok rabbit hole and suddenly look up, itching to discuss what they uncovered; or when they realize that doing something “boring” actually opened up space for discovery.
In my community, I see it in simple acts of service: connecting a foster child with an experience they’ve never had; taking time to talk with—and truly listen to—clients at the food pantry as they share stories about their lives and families; bringing someone to their first protest and experiencing the power of collective action together.
And so, my wish for the world is that everyone is able to experience such moments, regardless of current circumstance, and that together, these moments drive the creation of a better world and a brighter future for all.
