This is a place for honesty and transparency, so I want to share a life-changing thought that’s been on my mind.
Pumpkin.
Weird, I know. But stay with me.
Pumpkin is all the rage these days. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin scones, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin beer, and, of course, the ever-popular pumpkin spice latte.
But something about the whole pumpkin foodie craze strikes me as odd.
When was the last time you sat at the dinner table and asked someone to pass the big plate of pumpkin?
You haven’t, have you?
Well, if you don’t eat pumpkin by itself, why is it so popular? Here’s the answer.
Pumpkin SHINES—and pumpkin makes a REAL DIFFERENCE—by making OTHER THINGS BETTER.
It turns out, what’s true in the culinary world is also true in life. Look around, and you’ll see this same pumpkin philosophy in practice everywhere.
Good leaders shine when they make the people around them better. So do good managers, caregivers, service providers, teachers, parents, first responders, soldiers, donors, coaches, consultants, authors, clergy, and friends.
Now include anyone who works in a service-minded business, organization, or industry. People who grow our food, service our cars, run our technology, provide hospitality, manage our finances, and build our infrastructure. People in public service.
Literally anyone who has dedicated their life to serving others and making a difference practices this surprising philosophy.
They THINK LIKE A PUMPKIN.
Here’s why this matters.
You’re here to make a difference. I believe that. Making a difference gives your life meaning and purpose.
But when you’re struggling with the challenges and overwhelm of everyday life, it’s easy to forget the power of investing in the lives of others.
Encouraging, supporting, empowering, and blessing the people around you is remarkably healing.
It’s healing for them—and it’s healing for you, too.
It’s paradoxical, to be sure. But it’s true. Making other people better makes you better too.
This week I’d like you to consider the overlooked and uncommon ways you can start to Think Like a Pumpkin.
Here are questions for you to consider:
Who are the people you admire—past or present, real or fictional—who seem to shine by making the people around them better because they Think Like a Pumpkin?
Who are the people who have made a difference in YOUR LIFE because they Think Like a Pumpkin?
How can you Think Like a Pumpkin? Who is someone in your world, maybe right under your nose, that you can invest in, encourage, support, empower, or bless?
It’s time for you to shine.
Until next time,
John Alan
