Connection matters

Moving your focus to others will change your day, and repeated enough times, your life

I love coffee. I ignore the studies that say it's bad for you. My wife and I recently visited my brother in a small California beach town called Carpinteria (or Carp, as the locals call it). I visited my favorite coffee shop on the planet - The Lucky Llama. Here are a few reasons why it's my favorite:

• It's about a mile from the beach

• The weather is incredible, even in the dead of winter. You can sit outside and let the California sun warm your back as you sip hot black coffee.

• I have great memories of being here with my family

• It's got a surfer vibe. I'm not a surfer, but my nephew is great at it, and I live vicariously through him.

• Carp is a vacation spot. I love watching bleary-eyed moms and dads wandering in from the campgrounds with kids in tow.

• Everyone seems to have a dog. We love dogs.

• You might see a celebrity! A few years ago, we saw Ashton and Mila, and we’ve been on the lookout ever since.

On our recent visit, I recognized a man I’d seen the last time we were in town. He was in the corner drinking coffee and reading his Bible. I decided to introduce myself. I learned he’d grown up in the area and was interviewing for a new job that day. Susanna and I learned some of his story and then prayed together for his interview. That encounter changed our day for the better.

What's the lesson here? No matter what is going on in your life, you get to choose what you focus on. You can:

• double down on all that is going wrong (we all have stuff!)

• choose to focus on adding value to others

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as easy as asking the person taking your order, “How is your day going so far?” Make it your goal to try to make them smile. Remember, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Intentionally moving your focus from yourself to others will change your day and, repeated enough times, your life.

Whose life can you make a difference in today? I'd love to read your comments below as you try this out. Have a fantastic week!

L to R: Sharif (brother), Me, Susanna (wife), Oakley (beach dog), a Llama

*It’s been a busy summer! I’m reposting some early blogs for those who may have missed them. I’ll use the next few weeks to recharge and come back with refreshed creativity. I am adding voiceovers on a new mic, so that’s a bonus. Thank you so much for your support!

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