This morning it’s different. I remember things differently. The bracken fern is greener and this time I see the insects, like sparkling dust, and I hear the grasshoppers, the buzz of wings, the birds. We are running and we are children, no more than maybe 10 or perhaps 12.

We run from gardens overcome with joy and hard work. It’s a work we regretted when it came around to us, but later we’ll come to pride ourselves about how hard we worked. Thinking we know something about what it means to pull together and harvest the fruit from the knarely pear or the apple tree with a bird for a heart.

We used to make spears from the bracken fern. We’d pull them fast from the earth, strip them clean of the curling frond, and then weighted by the earthy root, fire them across the field with a burst of hollers until our pile was depleted. The heavy drone of summer, the twist of river, the shrieks of excitement, the dread of leeches, the long walks, the crack of popsicle against the counter of the general store where we all hoped, in our own way, for a bigger half.

This morning, as I was lying in bed thinking about getting up, my mind posed a question to itself ” What do you love most about being alive?” My answer is beauty. I love beauty. The aesthetic pleasure of things put rightly together. Harmony. The perfection of sunrise. My daughter’s joyful face. A well tended garden. Mountain streams and snow flakes. Cloud formations. Prayer flags and sailboats. Green Forests. Cobbled stones. Pomegranates. Babies. If each of us were to start our day with that question and then we were to pursue the answer until nightfall I am quite certain everything would be very, very different. Today, I intend to pursue the beauty of my basement apartment kitchen that has been under renovation for the past month and should wrap up today.

What do you love most about being alive?

Do yourself a favour – Commit a random act of kindness!

I have been using random words to spark fresh perspectives and solutions. Last week, as part of a large HR retreat, I had each breakout team use a random word to kick off strategy discussions. My intention was to have people enter the dialogue from a completely different and unexpected place. Random words help you do that. So…how to:

1. Determine the essence of your problem, challenge, issue, need. For example: How can I commit more random acts of kindness in the work place?
2. Select a random word. I have a gigantic list that I use. Nouns are great. You might also try one of the many random word generating websites where you can also learn other ways of applying the exercise.
3. Stick with the word you get. I got jetliner. Take some time to describe/highlight the qualities and principles of the word: Goes fast. Takes you where you need to go. Consumes too much fuel. Brings loved ones together. Seat sales. Above the crowd. Close to heaven… (you get the idea).
4. Next apply the principles to your challenge. Look for creative ideas, associations and solutions. NOT ANSWERS. At least not yet.
5. So in terms of my issue are there any links? How about creating opportunities for conversation corners where people can gather in a comfortable place. Or maybe I commit to decreasing wait times for delivery…You get the idea.
6. Select another random word and do the same. Try about 5 or 6 words for the same challenge. Work with your team and really have some fun. Once you have come up with a bunch of associations and ideas you can turn your mind over to evaluation and finally implementation.

So where does the kindness piece enter this equation? People are bored. People want to be creative and explore territories and concepts not previously considered. Our insistence on coming up with the right answer has stifled the creative expression of countless teams and individuals. Next time you sit down with a problem delight your colleagues with a fresh approach, you will be amazed at the creative ideas such randomness generates.