Be Interesting

If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.

— Carl Perkins, Rockabilly pioneer

I have been hesitant to post this quote because of its inclination towards banality. I mean, come on, how corny is “the stream would have no song?” But there is an underlying wisdom to this rockabilly adage. We do not grow if we are not challenged.

Lately I have been intrigued by the idea of what makes people interesting. I discovered a number of “be interesting” blog posts and began to reflect on what captures my interest when I meet new people. I find people interesting when they are curious about the world around them. This is especially true when they are curious about their own journey as well.

The professional speaking circuit is flooded with people who have overcome great adversity — the cancer survivors, the “pick-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps” entrepreneurs, or the guy who cut off his hand to save his life. We are drawn to these stories because of their sensationalism but we take away a deep sense of inspiration because of the speaker’s ability to turn adversity into a song.

Be interesting.