You know that juicy delicious feeling you get when you spend time with a really creative person? The one who sees the world in different colors than you do, and when you combine your thoughts and ideas, magical things happen? Some people call this 1+1=3, but my designer friend Darlin informed me that the correct term is gestalt.
gestalt \gə-ˈstält\: a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts
I love this concept, and seeing it in action is like a natural high that can carry you for days or weeks.
VW Beetles by Elmo Alves via Flickr
Finding the right friends
Sometimes you stumble across them in the weirdest places. Sometimes you are lucky enough to work or live next door to one. I’ve had great luck meeting the right people by joining causes or groups of people with similar interests (business, social, athletic, etc.).
There is a company in Seattle called Compendium that makes inspirational books and cards. I attended a book discussion of their latest publication, One, along with 18 other members of Biznik looking to find and spread a little inspiration. The book is all about how one person can make an impact on the world by following her passion.
I’ve said it before: We would not be taking this trip – or even thinking about this trip – if it weren’t for the creative, supportive people in our lives. There is just something magical about living among people who see the possibility in everything.
How to get high
What happens when you put those kind of people together in a room for a couple of hours? A little bit of magic, actually. (Sorry, Darlin. I meant gestalt!)
On the surface you have a lot of talk about what you do now and what you want to do in the future, and over the course of the time together you start to see new connections being made, wheels turning, and ideas flowing and expanding.
Afterward, each person is off on a little journey, and there is usually at least one connection with someone else in the room to move the idea along.
I can’t stop thinking about the idea one person had for expanding her business, and I hope she pursues it. Another has decided to help a forgotten segment of the population with her expertise, and you can see in her eyes how much joy this will bring to her life.
The organizer of the event, Lori Richardson, has a lofty goal this year for her 50th birthday: Speaking about small business in 50 cities, getting 50 new clients, booking 50 charity auctions, and getting 50 minutes of exercise/sunshine every day.
How can you *not* want to up your game when you hang out with people like that?
As I was walking home from the event I couldn’t help but think of how lucky I am to live this life in this instant surrounded by these people. And then I remembered the conscious decision I made a few years ago to seek out the kind of people who would push me to be a better person.
I still have a long way to go, but it will be a very pleasant journey with companions like this. Thanks to the Beatles, I even get a soundtrack.
About Betsy
Lovely. Gestalt. I’ll have to add that one to my vocabulary. I also need to focus on getting more friends like these. I often feel like my friends bring me down but I can work to change that.
I felt the very same inspiration at Compendium last week Betsy! And magic is just as fine a word as gestalt…we all know what we’re talking about, right? Being more and better and greater because of those around us!
Reading this gave me goosebumps. Seriously. I also need to focus on making new friends who are viewing things in an expansive way.
They say that you are like the 5 people you spend the most time with. I don’t know who “they” is, but it sounds right to me. I just know that my life is so much better since I started really focusing on being around people who want to do more, be more, and love more.
The downside? When you have to spend time with people who aren’t like that it will drive you CRAZY in a matter of minutes.
But I’m willing to risk it.
I always heard it called “synergy,” but Gestalt sounds more official!
Interesting friends are the way to go. My sister hosts a party or two each year where she invites colleagues, friends, family, adult continuing education teachers, etc. It’s always a good mix of occupations, ages, and interests, and, like you say, can spark some incredible ideas.