Dustin Ahkuoi

I had a great conversation with my good friend Eric King this morning at the mecca of all things coffee…Starbucks. Eric is a person who I genuinely love hanging around. We met to catch up on where each of us were in life etc…it was great. Eric said something that struck a chord in me…he was talking about the notion of being all of who you are wherever you are. I have fallen into the rut before of compartmentalizing my life. There is the “work” section of my life, the “play and fun” section, the “church” section, the “husband” section and so on. I have made the mistake in the past of  bringing a different version of myself to each one of these areas. Example: I am ultra playful at home…and then try to become Mr serious at work. Why do I do this? Playfulness and laughter have always been a huge part of what makes up who I am. Whether singing a song or doing something for my job or going on a date with my wife…all of these things will be served the best the authenticity of who I am. If I am offeringa watered down version of myself to my place of employment…they are giving a paycheck to a half rate employee who isn’t being all that he can be.

Look at the lives of the people who inspire you. Many of them are being who God has created them to be without apology. In my life

…a few examples of this are people like my good friend Josh LeRoy

…speaker and social change agent Kevin Carroll

…and last but not least my wife Miriam.

I heard a quote yesterday that referenced the notion of not stopping to apologize to those around you who cant handle you being you. We all have things we can work on…things about us that need growth and improvement. What I am referring to are the incredible, nonnegotiable qualities that we possess that are authentically us. Your life will have the most impact on others if you are living out of your sweet spot. I am still figuring some of this stuff out…not fully there by any means. These are just some thoughts in progress.