Overwhelmed? This will help.

Watching the news, talking to friends, hearing what’s happening around you and around the world can all feel like too much.

What can you possibly do to help?

I’ve been searching lately myself, cycling through feeling lost by what I see and hear and then feeling incapable of making “enough” of a difference to matter.

That thinking isn’t useful for anyone, especially ourselves.

This quote appeared at the perfect time to remind me what’s most important. I hope it helps you too.

I have another idea that could help — keep reading to learn about my #RealMail #HugTour.

What we do today, right where we are, matters more than we’ll ever know. Every compliment and thoughtful gesture ripples out wider and wider into our circles and beyond.

What’s something we can do today?

Share more love.

• Love for ourselves. Time away from phones reading in quiet corners and walking along silent trails. Carve out at least 15 gloriously still minutes for yourself today. You deserve it.

• Love for others. Buy a stranger coffee, call someone you care about, hug like you mean it (always my favorite). All of these require us to be present with the other person, aware of where we are right now and who is here with us.

We have each other.

I’m so glad to have you on this journey with me.

Want to join me in sharing more love??

Starting this week, I’m sending Real Mail HUGS to friends, family, clients, readers, and loved ones around the world. I’d love to add you to my list.

If you or someone you know would enjoy Hugs in their mailbox, share your address here:

I believe in you and what’s possible when we work together.

Introverts can be funny

This was from my third-ever speech at the Ottobar for Ignite Baltimore. Five minutes to speak on whatever you want and I chose Deconstructing a Hug, including some demonstrations like this shot here while wearing a t-shirt that said, "Hug Like You Mean It." 

Not only did the rambunctious crowd erupt in hugs by the end (watch the video to see for yourself), someone called me a comedian.

Me, funny? I couldn't feel my feet the whole time.

I had practiced that five-minute speech for hours, how to phrase punch lines and when to pause in case anyone laughed. I didn't realize the work it takes to be funny but now have greater appreciation for people who get up there all the time. It's cool how many of the best comedians are introverts. 

This hug, which I also called the Herman Munster, still makes me smile. Don't give one of these by the way, okay? No one likes them. 

But do get on stage and do what feels out of your comfort zone, and beyond what anyone - including you - would ever think you were capable of. 

You are capable.

You are brave.

You are funny. Really!

If you've been sitting on an idea for a while, worried that maybe now isn't the right time or maybe you don't know enough yet (you can never know enough, it's the oldest Fear trick in the book), get yourself out there. 

I'm happy to help.

Schedule a free consultation and we'll chat about your idea, helping you feel more confident and clear.

We can even come up with jokes for your first speech. I might still have a couple one-liners memorized!