E52: Being Called to Love with Hannah Brencher

Hannah Brencher joins us today to share inspiration through the power of words. An author, blogger, and a TED Speaker, Hannah initially moved to New York City for what she thought was a dream job yet she found herself struggling with depression. As a way to cope, she started to write love letters and leave them around New York City for others to find and draw inspiration from. Today, she runs a global organization called More Love Letters, which marks its 10 years now, inspired by those first letters to strangers in the lonely city. Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: The power of words to either cut people down or build them up What productivity means and ways to be inspired What it means to be with it all How to show up for other people The story behind More Love Letters Episode Highlights: Utilizing the Power of Words – for the Good It’s wonderful to make others feel that there are other people in the world that’s cheering for the, and that they can show up and do something for somebody who needs it at that very moment. And with how people use words nowadays to cut others down mercilessly, why not do the opposite of it since words hold power. And we need to use words that build people up. What Productivity Means and Ways to Get Inspired Productivity doesn't necessarily refer to what you produce, but how you show up to this moment. Inspiration comes through reading great books and reading great words, as well as through prayer and meditation. But first, you need to figure out how to be present. And sometimes, it takes shutting off your phone to be in the present moment and feel everything around you. It's all about giving yourself the gift of being present. What It Means to Be With It All It's about knowing how you're in this dark day but also realizing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And you will get there not not in a toxic way. Not everything is great and it’s hard and it hurts. You’re going to stub your toe a million times because it’s dark. But having that support from people around you, and being able to support one another, you will get out of that darkness. It’s a matter of being a beacon of light for the person next to you. Showing up for other people comes in a lot of forms. You could just sit down with a friend and hold them in your arms. Or bring someone a meal or give them something to do. More importantly, you also need to figure out ways for you to pour into yourself so that you can show up and pour into the people you need to pour into. Self-care is key because you cannot pour from an empty cup. Resources Mentioned: www.hannahbrenchercreative.com www.moreloveletters.com