You would have thought “the day I grew up” was at my Bar Mitzvah (see above pic of the big day).
But truthfully, I didn’t grow up until a few weeks ago on a sunny winter day, halfway through my 39th year of life.
I accompanied a good friend to a sales meeting at a Fortune 500 Company in a Manhattan skyrise—he wanted me to sit in as a prop. I could not believe what ensued.
This friend lied through his teeth, making up stories that caught these attentive executives hook, line and sinker. My friend thought nothing of it, skating from one bullsh*t story to the next.
I must have looked like a nine year old boy seeing a naked woman with giant boobies for the first time; I couldn’t believe my friend could sit there and lie to these executives.
I said to him immediately afterward in the elevator, “Did you just make that stuff up?”
“I embellished,” he responded.
“You mean you lied?”
“It’s not lying. It’s business.” He continued, “I used to think you first had to be invited to the party in order to celebrate. But that’s now how it works. You first gotta celebrate [he paused for intonation] and then you’ll be invited to the party.”
It took me a little to understand, but then I realized, every single person I know who is successful in business is, shall we say, a great storyteller, if not a mega bullsh*tter.
God knows we are all leading lives of quiet desperation; the last thing we want is another meek dweeb clogging up our calendar with boring and literal interpretations of business and life.
I thought to myself, I gotta pump it up!!
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Over the past year, I have been part of the Newark Yoga Movement, which brings yoga to public schools.
It’s a lot different audience than the Lululemon-clothed folk like you and I who frequent urban yoga studios.
It seems like the kids are only partly listening and taking in one out of every 10 words from my mouth. But by the end of class, they are relaxed, giggling and just awesome kids who I love to work with.
Yoga is good for them, probably one of the most liberal offerings in their curriculum.
But what these kids really need is a class on how to sell their story, how to “pump it up!”— how to fake it til’ you make it!
They don’t teach that in school. And these are the lessons we need to navigate the streets, especially in the jungle that is Manhattan.
On that note, I am excited to announce that I have worn the meek jersey most of my life. And on January 11th, that jersey is being retired and I’m putting on some new gear with the word Momenteer all over it! And those kids I teach in Newark can be ready for “Mister David,” as they call me, to tell them to pump it up!
The Momenteer Movement is going to be a gamechanger. Not because it will be big. But small, just asking five seconds of each day. Everyday at 1:11pm, I will send Momenteers everywhere a vision, not words, but a vision…to wake up and celebrate life!
I believe it’s the single most important message of our time.
What I could not understand in 39.5 years came clear to me in just nine words: “Only those who Celebrate are invited to The Party.”
The countdown is on. Email me at [email protected] if you want to be a Momenteer and as the original Spiritual Gangster Ian Lopatin said, “Celebrate a little vacation everyday!”
*****
Will you invite me in?
We all know that health and happiness begin with a healthy and happy home.
That is why the best retreat I am ever leading is taking place, not on the tropical beaches of Tulum…but in the comfort of your own home!
My In Home Retreat is about getting rooted in your truth, in your body, in your home!
You don’t need to get on a plane or schedule time away from family; you just need to carve out a weekend to cozy up and go deep.
Email me at [email protected] with the subject line ‘Bring it Home!’ to receive early registration info.
~
Ed: Bryonie Wise
Like elephant I’m not “Spiritual.” I just practice being a good person on Facebook.
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