I’ve been on a magical adventure in LA with my friend Krishnan over the past few days. Here’s a quick taste:
- An event called “Soup Soup” for transcendental meditation followed by a soup potluck.
- A cold read of original movie scripts by actors at the Aster Social Club
- Nourish & Flourish, an intimate dinner (hosted by us!) for connection and storytelling
- An art exhibit with light projections onto objects
- Jeffrey Gibson’s kaleidoscopic Native American art exhibition
- A live healing hoop dance by a Lumbee member
(It’s way more than I’d normally cram into four days, but Krishnan is a mystical experience designer, after all.)
Here’s my LOVE design projected onto the letters behind me:
Somewhere between our storytelling dinner and the hoop dance, we took a break in Park Le Brea. As we dozed off listening to a spiritual contemplation and consulted “The Oracle of Life” for a sign about the project we’re dreaming up together…
Three Maltese puppies – DaVinci, Monet and Dali – barreled into me like a fluffy wave of creative chaos and adorableness. ✨✨
Their owner could barely hold them, and they barked at the next character to enter the scene:
A giant poodle wearing sungoggles and black socks, led by a man wearing what looked like a Wolf tactical vest.
I kid you not. Here’s the photographic evidence:
Krishnan took one look at the scene and said, “Obviously I’m the three puppies, and you’re the poodle.” I wasn’t sure quite what to make of that. Krishnan suggested that I talk to the guy.
I wanted to. I sidled up, hoping to catch the man’s eye.
But I froze.
You see, sometimes I still feel paralyzed by social anxiety.
Put me in front of a group with a microphone, and I’m golden. If someone talks to me first, no issue. But ask me to walk up to a complete stranger? Sometimes it activates an old story in me: You’re not the kind of person who just walks up to people. It’s uncomfortable and weird, and what will they think?
Krishnan watched as I stalled, and walked up to talk to the guy himself.
It turned out the poodle’s name was Roy. He has cataracts, which is why the sungoggles. The vest was full of treats and the beeping device used to get Roy to return on command. They guy was friendly, and we talked about art, transformation, AI and consciousness, of all things.
It was surreal, magical and ordinary, too.
But here’s what stuck with me:
I’m so DONE with the story that I can’t talk to strangers.
Sure, the guy and his poodle were a bit intimidating in their blatant weirdness, but my intuition said it was okay. And still, I let fear win.
I’ve been buying into that old script for far too long.
I know that people are people, connection is simple and often surprisingly deep – but I miss it because of fear.
Just now – another sparkle of serendipitous magic – I came across this article about the positive effects of talking to a stranger for 30 minutes.
And so, on my flight to New Jersey, today, I made a choice to live differently.
I found myself next to an eccentric man with thick glasses. I pulled out my pistachios and asked if he wanted some.
He declined, but we started talking anyway. His name was John. He lives in Jersey and dreams of visiting Europe, and now Portugal, specifically, since I mentioned living there. “Fingers crossed,” he said.
It was ordinary. Sweet. Precious.
Lately I’ve been getting fed up with my fear of approaching people, the worry about coming on too strong. And I’m just done with it, and already my behavior is changing.
Breaking a habit is simple. Get clear that you don’t want to do it anymore. When you notice yourself doing it, stop.
Until now, I haven’t actually wanted to change this habit of insecurity. It looked like protection, and it was too scary to contemplate.
But the interactions I have with people are too magical and precious to miss out on anymore. And being me (sans insecurity) feels amazing.
So tell me: What surprisingly delightful interaction have you had with strangers lately?
Hit reply and share it with me. We can celebrate connection together.
Yours in love and play,
Steph
