ENTHUSIASM

A few years ago, I started realizing that ALL my favorite people and experiences had one big thing in common.

They’re all really into what they do.

They’re enthusiasts. And the experiences they share with me? Infused with enthusiasm.

It’s funny how identifying a commonality among your favorite things can help you identify and appreciate more and more of those things as life goes on.

For my birthday, I’m gifting myself this list — a place to identify and appreciate people and experiences that are infused with the enthusiasm I love. I’ve been compiling this list in my head for years, but today it gets a home. I plan to grow it as I have time and as I continue notice more of the things that make me happy. (Since I’m a procrastinator I’m putting this together ON the morning of my birthday, this is just a quick-and-dirty beginning. I’m not saying you should stop back, but you should know that I definitely will and if you are into this idea, future visits will be rewarded).

Here we go – my enthusiast collection:

Live musicians. When you can tell how much fun the performers are having, it almost doesn’t matter what the music sounds like.

Tour guides. Docents. This was actually how I first identified the common thread. I tagged along with a friend who had won a guided tour to the Met. I don’t even remember what exhibit she showed us (something Egyptian, maybe?), but her passion for the art and history of each piece was delightful. Since then I’ve found that my kindred enthusiasts have a tendency to end up in these kinds of roles. On the rare occasion that I take a tour guided by someone who’s dialing it in, I’m literally crestfallen.

Apple (and other) Geniuses. People whose enthiusiasm for how cool the technology is makes them psyched to teach it to me. I love a nerd who wants to get me on board with the wonder that is (fill in the blank). I’m including here all the researchers I worked with in my fifteen-ish years as a biotech patent lawyer who made me love my job. I love to learn from (and to have my tech problems fixed by) a friendly enthusiast.

Collectors. A few years ago, someone sent me a box of pencils in the mail. We had met at a cocktail party and somehow got on the topic of how little things — like the color, grip, hardness of the pencil you use all day – can affect how your day goes. This particular brand was his favorite, and he cared enough about it to send me a whole box and a specialized sharpener to try. I can’t say I’ve become a “pencil person” since using the gift, but I’m more aware of noticing and appreciating the little things that matter to me and how they affect my day. On a grander scale, how fun is it to look at a collection of art, dolls, antique cars or squid-themed home decor with a person who has amassed their collection enthusiastically over the years? The energy is contagious.

Most photographers/creative entrepreneurs. Let’s be honest – you don’t become a creative entrepreneur for the money. If you’ve taken on the harrowing, all-encompassing work of running your own business because of a passion for your art, you’re my people.

My families. I promise that this list is not – and never was – intended to lead up to a marketing hook. The thing is, though, that I realized long ago that my favorite people to work with are as enthusiastic about the “why” of my business — freezing and keeping the best moments of our lives as a family — as I am. That realization has led me to finding those people. And yes – these are the people I get to work with.

That’s all for now, folks. I’ve got a full few days of birthday celebrations to attend to. When I finish my ice cream cake, I definitely will lick the plate.

Thanks for looking,

Jaye