I want to take a moment to honor the teacher who had a profound influence on me, and my mindfulness journey. Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings are accessible, honest, and authentic. His books are easy to digest, and lessons easy to incorporate into daily living.
Often, when eating an orange, I find myself slowing down and remembering the meditation where we mindfully eat. Before even cracking its peel, he instructs to imagine how far this fruit came in its lifecycle. The seed it grew from. The tree it grew on. The workers who picked it. The truck it was packed in. Eventually, this orange ended up on my plate, and there is gratitude for that.
The same can be said for my career to date. There is so much more to each relationship that presents itself to me, or the jobs I have to do to keep my business progressing.
When I meet you, I am present. I care. I bring my full self to the table, and really want to be available to you and your goals. I learned this practice from my dharma practice. I learned that I can bring my mindfulness work into my work life. This is how I learned to actively listen. This is one of the teachers who made this possible.
Over the past 16 years, I've learned about gratitude, finding joy in menial tasks, being happy in the space that I'm in. Being here now. Offering my heart to my work practice. Translating my love of entrepreneurship onto clients in a way that is present, passionate, and in the now. I learned all this from Thich Nhat Hanh.
I was lucky enough to sit with him at his monastery in upstate New York a few years ago, and walk with him in silence through the woods. For that, I am so grateful.
Today, I am quietly remembering the impact this teacher had on me and our community.
May we all be at ease.
May we all be at peace.
May his passing be a reminder of the impermanence of things. His contribution to the world was outstanding and impactful. There is much to continue to learn from his teachings and rich full existence.