On Exhaustion & Joy

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

Notions & Contemplations

Another Round of Applause for You

Well, friends, we did it again. We made it through another calendar year, past these shortest days, onward closer to the sun. Please join me in a round of applause for us. No really, take 10 seconds to clap for yourself. It feels good, and you deserve it.  

This time last year, I remember being pretty tired. This year, I have achieved a new PR in tiredness, making last year’s “tired” look positively chipper. But just below the fog of existential fatigue is a little squeak of satisfaction, because after all is said and done, I am still standing; and, guess what: you are too! What a feat.

Though I can’t be sure what 2025 has in store for us, I do know that, like every year heretofore and henceforth, it will bring a great deal of change, and with proper hydration and rest, a fair amount of growth, too. My prayer is that we find joy in the unexpected, peace in the quiet moments, and plenty of laughter to carry us through the rest.

With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this second annual edition of Joy Sparks. As you prepare for the new year, I would love to hear from you. What’s on your mind these days? Are there topics you’d like to read about in these missives? In the meantime, happy happy holidays, from our grateful home to yours.

Onward,

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📽️🙏 Inspired by the inimitable, must-read Book of Joy, the 2022 documentary “Mission: Joy” follows the friendship of two holy men, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose shared giggles alone are enough to spark my joy. Though two years old, the movie’s message has never been more timely. Consider it 90 minutes of self-care as we wrap up a long year.

🧚🏼‍♂️🪄Though I have yet to see the Wicked movie (2025 goals), I found this montage of “Defying Distance” incredibly moving!

✨❓As you may recall, my mantra for 2024 was “loving the question, rather than the answer,” which is altogether easier when the questions are MAGICAL! Many thanks to my dear friend Priya Parker for initiating and collecting this incredible collection of meaningful conversation starters. I’m especially delighted that she focused on my contribution in her follow up post: “What’s a path you almost took but didn’t?”

🦙📖For anyone else whose evening hours are increasingly consumed by a certain genre of reading, this interpretation of an all-time favorite book by a certain fellow Atlantan is my new jam.

🎧🌟Speaking of jams, it’s the most magical time of the year because my ever-talented friend Jacob has yet again done the great, national service of putting together NPR’s best songs of the year.

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Let’s work together in 2025!

I’m currently booking projects for next year, and I’d love to support you and your team. Here are three ways that we could work together:

• Executive Coaching for you (and/or your colleagues)

  Let’s navigate the issues occupying your head (or heart) space. I’ll bring a fresh perspective to help you lean into the questions of the day, clear obstacles, and bring your most thoughtful self to work.

  
  

• Creating Compelling, Strategic Communications

  It is one of the great ironies of life that we often have the hardest time talking about the thing[s] we spend the most time on. Fortunately, there are few things I love more than helping develop compelling, accessible narratives. I’ll help you leave the jargon behind, tighten the talking points, and share a story that makes you feel proud.

  
  

• Strategy Planning/Team Facilitation

  You know that strategic plan or team retreat you simply haven’t had time to plan? Let me help. I’ll do the groundwork, work with you to set the agenda, facilitate an inclusive, energetic meeting, with clear follow-up, making the whole thing worth your time.

Drop me a line so we can get started!

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And in closing…

A throw-back to December 2022’s Notions & Contemplations as a reminder of some timeless wisdom.

Desiderata 

By Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.