Joy Junket

A friend of mine told me a story about how she and her husband decided to buy a tandem bicycle so they could spend more time exercising together.  They were SO excited the first time they took off together on this joint, equal, cooperative adventure…. Until her husband realized that she, at the rear of the bike, had the only brake control.  As he fearlessly raced toward intersections, railroad crossings and crosswalks trying to beat cars, trains and pedestrians, she gently applied the pressure to her brake, forcing him to slow down and therefore keeping herself (and THEM) in her comfort zone.  After a few outings on their tandem adventure, they both decided to get their own bikes.  Now they can choose to ride side by side, by themselves, or with other biking friends, (and they are BOTH much happier)! 

Work, marriage, friendships… all are a cooperative efforts.  And to cooperate means to work together toward a common end, and I would add not to lose our autonomy in the effort, and respect that our partner doesn’t want to either.   Our business has morphed from a small vintage shop into a larger design business, website, coaching, workshop, philanthropic calling.  We have both allowed each other the choice to act with autonomy, while learning from our friendship.  We are unwilling to allow fear to be a factor in what we do.  (not that the F word doesn’t come up now and then.. Hey, not THAT F word!)

We  believe that great design is good for your spirit, whether it’s for your home or your life.  In order to make that happen, we know that to do it cooperatively and fearlessly benefits everyone.  So, we’ve learned to LISTEN, to each other and to our clients, to LAUGH, at ourselves and each other (really, I think we have like 9 different business cards because we’re always morphing into something new.  They’re becoming collectible!) and LOOK for the best in everyone. 

Cooperation can be a challenge, I admit that there are times I want to be the one on the brake, but there’s times I’ve raced like hell to beat the train too.  That’s about the time Sarah will say, “What are we DOING??  This is crazy!”  and she’s usually right. 

So, what would happen if you checked  your ego at the door today?  Laugh at yourself, look for opportunities to improve your relationships, and know that EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE (Joy Junket Manifesto #10).  Start living fearlessly, and know that you can always get your own bike!

(In true confessional fashion, I feel that before I sign off, I must make a short list of things I am still fearful of… Mainly monkeys, clowns, people touching me in the grocery line and birds flying into our studio from an open window) also large live chickens and the freight (I call it FRIGHT!) elevator in our studio.