Yesterday, I met Mark (an executive coach and speaker, a great soul who loves Vietnam dearly) at Joama - one of my favourite cafes in Hanoi.
As I walked into the café, Mark greeted me at the door with a hug and then warmly asked, 'Hi Jen, great to see you. Have you tried apple pie here? You gotta try it',
I told Mark I had never tried apple pie at the cafe before.
Mark smiled and said to the owner:
'Could you please make Jen an apple pie and a drink - and Jen, you want to order something else?'
I felt like I was seeing a friend after a long absence, even though it was the first time I had met Mark.
Mark is on a mission to make a positive influence on people, and I experienced that feeling through Mark's friendliness, kindness, and especially his open heart.
I learned through what Mark teaches and the books he gave me:
1. It's never too late to follow your dream: Mark had wanted to be a speaker since he was around 20 years old, and then more than 30 years later - Mark pursued his dream.
Mark's wife - began realizing her childhood dream of playing the piano in church at the age of 64.
2. 'Unlock your courage' book: Choosing to listen to the voices that support our dreams, growth, and success.
(One voice says: Don't get your hopes up. That's really risky. You might fail. What will people think? You can't do that. Someone else can do it better. You’re not good enough. You're too young. You're too old...')
(Another voice says: Why not? Go for it. You can learn. When you fall down you can get back up. You will find a way...)
3. 'Unlock your influence' book: Unlocking your influence with honesty, creativity, team development, energy, love, enthusiasm, trust, praise, optimism, persistence, and friendship.
4. 'Unlock your success' book: Have more Luck by = preparing + having a great attitude + taking action + appreciating opportunities.
5. 'Unlock your heart' book: it is an upcoming book by Mark, I am looking forward to its lessons but what I have learned by meeting Mark is that when we open our hearts fully we can connect with other peoples’ hearts.
#have a courageous heartfelt week for all of us
