This is what joy can do.

A couple weeks ago, I had one of those simple, profound moments with a friend that left a mark. 

He's a quiet introvert; I'm a chatty extrovert. It’s not always easy to calibrate, but then I asked him about something I know he loves but I keep forgetting to explore with him — his singing.

Before I knew it, he was booming out Christmas carols, I was accompanying him on my new piano, it felt like we could talk about anything, and everyone else in the room wanted more.

We all have things that pull us in. Things that fascinate us. Things we love.

We have things that pull us apart, too. Things that challenge and poke us, leaving sore spots that make us want to stay on guard… or stay away. 

A beautiful thing about relationships is that the more we connect on what we love, the more capacity we build to deal with what matters too much to always avoid. 

And to deal with those things without hurting each other.

That capacity is easiest to build when nothing pokes.

But when our conversations keep circling the sore spots — like politics — it’s another story. 

So what if instead of hovering around differences that bring you down, you plunge right in on something that lights you up?

You never know where it might take you. And what becomes more possible as a result. 

Stay curious,