“Unordinary carries a sense of uncovering, of finding something undefinable but precious beneath the surface of the world, beneath the surface of my everyday self and my everyday life. The words beneath the words, the gift at the centre of what is offered at the surface.”
-David Whyte
This is a story about following your heart and venturing into the unordinary.
I’m shite at giving material gifts. Sorry. It’s not my love language. I get all muddled up on what exactly to purchase. And truth is, I don’t enjoy shopping.
I realize I give gifts of another sort. All the time. I have a knack for connecting people. It all comes from a feeling—a tug that overcomes me in the middle of a conversation I’m having, or when I’m in someone’s company.
What happens in my brain when this tug happens?
The person I’m speaking with drops clues all over the place. These signals land in the form of requests, invitations, and wispy threads of longing. You could say I receive a funny swirl of words, body language and their tone of voice. Yes, I’m capturing it all. Illuminating the person is my focus. All these cues become breadcrumbs to my tug.
As I listen in, specific people I know come into focus. They pop into my mind’s eye to connect with this person. These contacts could be humans of all ages, backgrounds. I don’t question. I jot their names down and make a simple plan to connect them with the person I’m speaking with.
Sometimes the synchronicities are obvious. Not always. I still trust.
I have joked about this skill of mine. Calling it ‘Hope speed dating’. I know parts of people will get unlocked by syncing up. Sometimes this unlocking is related to a professional or creative inspiration. Other times, I know there are dormant sides of character that will come alive when they meet.
When I first started this "super-connecting," it felt bold. Presumptuous. My inner voice would ask, "Who are you to know who needs to meet? What if you’re off base?"
Strangely, I don’t listen to these doubts. I keep connecting. And as I kept doing it—year after year—it has become a superpower I lean into.
Why? As a result of me leaning into my tug, I get to witness people feel unordinary aspects of themselves pop out. Whether you believe in karma, or not, this is my way of giving back.
Stretch Yourself: Meet New People, Meet New You
I believe we transform through our relationships. We reveal ourselves with others.
“To be able to understand people and be present for them in their experience—that’s the most important thing in the world” - Mary Pipher, Therapist & Author
When we always stay within the same circles, reinforcing the same perspectives and familiar comfort zones, we can remain stagnant. Yes, it keeps us feeling safe and certain, but also contained. To expand, my plate includes a healthy balance of going deeper with existing people in my life, and a side order of fresh and new.
Lately, I've found myself on the other side of this dynamic. People have started to connect me with others, and it's been eye-opening. I've met incredible unordinary people from around the world—people I now work with, create alongside, and share epic experiences.
The best part? None of these connections would have happened without someone following their tug and taking the time to sync me up.
Ok, how does this work?
Most Fridays, you'll find me on Zoom with someone I've never met before—often a complete stranger who, for some reason, I have been put in contact with. Yesterday, I had one of those calls with a young woman from the UK who was put in touch by a dear friend.
The zoom screen opened. There she was. In her twenties. Living in the UK. About to be on her way to Thailand. She was excited to meet me and got straight to the point. She wanted to know how I'd led my work, motherhood, lifestyle and personal exploration in such a unique format? How did I feel confident to do this? What did it take to make it happen?
So, I shared.
I can still see her large, watery eyes lean into the zoom screen. She spoke, “Knowing you’re living in the way I feel called to live is encouraging. It’s a reminder that the voice in my head urging me to want a life of my dreams isn’t crazy after all.”
We then dissected how wild the synergies were between our lives. And how grounded she felt to meet me…a woman further down the road than her. Perhaps her impossible dreams were possible?
When our 30 minute zoom sync up ended, we knew we’d meet up. We will. I don’t take these connections lightly. They always change the course of my life.
Always.
Kindred Convergence
We often think of connection as a means to an end—networking to land a new job, internet dating to meet a partner. But what if it could be much more?
What if there’s a new best friend out there?
Someone waiting to meet you—a friend who understands you in ways you’ve always craved?
Or a wise elder mentor who can offer the grounding and insight that even family couldn’t provide?
Through convergence, connections move beyond the superficial, creating a meaningful resonance that brings people closer together, often leading to collective growth. These people stretch us, support us, and reveal parts of ourselves we didn’t know we needed.
Here’s my invitation:
Give and Receive:
Be open to both giving and receiving connections. You never know which conversation could open a new door, spark a new idea, or help you discover a hidden part of yourself. If you’re looking to expand on a vision, chase a feeling, or bring an idea to life, reach out to someone to offer your support, or ask for specific help.
*Maybe I know just the person you need to meet? Explore here.
Expand Your Circle:
Our worlds expand through the people we meet. Be willing to trust that instinct when it pulls you to connect—whether as the giver or the receiver. If there’s a spark you're curious about, or if you’re seeking someone to share a vision or create something meaningful, let me know. Ideas and visions can be tricky to expand on all alone, or within an echo chamber of similar viewpoints.
*I regularly run Braintrusts, Think tanks, and Masterminds. Contact me to find out when my next one runs.
Opening Doors:
Connecting isn’t just about meeting new people—it’s about opening doors into new realms of possibility. If there’s something tugging at your heart—a vision, an idea, or just the desire to explore what’s next—let’s talk. Perhaps I have someone you need to meet.
*Perhaps it’s time to see where that next door might lead. Or maybe you want to connect someone with me?
A new word for you…thank you Germany
Herzensbildung (noun, German): The cultivation of the heart—an education focused on empathy, emotional intelligence, and the nurturing of deep human understanding.
Imagine a world where our relationships are rooted not just in shared experiences or conversations, but in a genuine understanding of each other’s inner worlds. Herzensbildung invites us to bring empathy and compassion to the forefront, transforming how we connect. By weaving this concept into our daily lives, we can create bonds that truly uplift, ensuring that those around us feel seen, heard, and valued.
I say YES to Herzensbildung. Lets lead with our hearts and nurture deeper, more meaningful connections.
ps. I got this word from a book on my bedstand.
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See you next week. If you enjoyed this read, please invite your friends.
In your corner,
With love,
Hope