I’m writing this blog just two weeks out from the fourth annual Project Endure event and I couldn’t be more excited! Each year I have the privilege of giving a talk to the attendees and I attempt to center it around a theme. This year, I’m going to be talking about being insane… let me explain.
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The path that I took to get here was a winding one. There were twists, turns, ups, downs and even a few dead ends that required turning around. When I look back at the past decade, the biggest constant was that I felt alone more often than not. Starting with the decision to give up drinking (alcohol) at 18 years old, I chose an unusual path that most other people (my age) didn’t understand. There was this sense that I had outgrown the people that I used to spend time with but hadn’t yet grown into the person that could be around those that I aspired to be like (which I now understand was a limiting belief).
The point that I’m getting to is that we all have seasons of life when our growth creates distance between our old circle that isn’t growing in the same direction that we are. These people who knew us as a specific version of ourselves might not understand the version that we’re becoming and that can leave us feeling all alone (as we have not yet found a new group who accepts our growth). This is where we have to make the choice to be insane in the eyes of those who don’t understand – we have to keep dancing….
“Those who dance are considered to be insane by those who can’t hear the music.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
If you’re in a season of life where personal growth has created separation from the people that you once called friends, listen up. The people who care about you will continue loving you even if you’re growing in a different direction. You need to be willing to be misunderstood until you find those that understand.
The gap that I’ve grown through has helped me realize what matters most (to me) and has afforded me opportunities to create something for those who want to pursue growth (enter, Project Endure). When you can’t find people who are like you, that’s the chance to stand firm, be bold and attract those who feel the same. Build it (become it) and they will come (see the quote below).
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Don’t hide. Start dancing in the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. There are others with the same music in their minds and in time, you’ll find them and they’ll find you.
“Don’t waste your time chasing butterflies. Mend your garden, and the butterflies will come.”
Mario Quintana
Do hard things.
Joe Rinaldi
IG: @joearinaldi
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