In 2025, Do More of This …
“Sometimes our power resides not in what we do, but in what we don't do.” – Paulo Coelho
Yes … it’s hard to believe 2025 is here!
As I think about the big tech advancement of 2024, it has to be artificial intelligence (AI). For many of us, Chat GPT and Gemini are now common terms. This is an exciting time to be alive, but we must also be aware that these technologies can be used in a harmful way.
Let’s pray for the best here!
The Experience
A few days before Christmas, my family and I were enjoying breakfast at a local coffee shop near our home, and I overheard a conversation from a family at a nearby table that almost made me intervene.
From what I could tell, the boyfriend of a young lady was sharing a travel story with her parents, and it went something like this …
“Mike, Samantha tells us you were recently traveling through Asia, and you used a service similar to Uber, but it wasn’t Uber, right? How was that?”
MIKE: “Yes, I did! It’s called Grab, and it was actually pretty reasonable from a price standpoint. Because of the crazy traffic in Bangkok, I would sometimes select a motorcycle ride because they move around much faster than cars.”
Upon hearing the word Grab, I immediately knew what it was. In fact, I have the green-colored app on my iPhone. I’ve used the service in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Restraint
Our daughter Kaitlin was seated directly across from me, and I said to her that I knew exactly what they were talking about regarding Grab.
“Kait, I think I should jump into that conversation on our way out of the restaurant to share my experience regarding the rideshare service.”
However, I knew this was not a good idea, and here are some of the reasons …
The young man felt important when talking about his international experience, and it had nothing to do with me.
The family was not interested in hearing what I had to say. Instead, I sensed the father was trying to learn more about the young man dating his daughter.
I’ve seen situations when strangers jump into conversations and, for the most part, they bring little to no value. The fact is that other people are largely unimpressed when someone interrupts their conversation.
The Ego
As we welcome 2025, my goal is to do a better job controlling my ego. The restaurant scenario I shared with you demonstrates one step in the right direction for me.
If I spend less time talking about who I am and all the wonderful things I have done in my life, I will have a chance to learn more about others and what is important to them.
There is no need for me to recite my resumé to others. Even when others are boasting about their accomplishments, I can listen intently and take a friendly approach.
So, in 2025, my resolution is to remember the restaurant experience where I controlled my ego and minded my own business.
If I take this self-restraint approach, I am confident this year will bring many blessings to me and my family.
Happy New Year’s, my friends!
Inspiring Quotes
“Restraint does not mean weakness. It does not mean giving in.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
“There is always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Homework Inquiry
During the next week, here’s your homework inquiry: How will you show self-restraint?
I use this opportunity to share with you a unique story and a couple inspiring quotes. Oh ... as a professor at heart, you guessed it, I have a homework inquiry for you. This is a powerful question that might just trigger you to take action on something that really matters in your life. If you feel the Catalyst Newsletter brings benefit to you.