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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.

This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.

Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize it’s opportunities.

Read time: 10-12 minutes.

Bright Side in Brief

What’s covered this week?

• Little Reader/Big Lessons - How my daughter’s determination inspired us both.

• Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles.

• Nick Cave - Transforming personal tragedy into a source of strength.

• Bookmarks - ‘Humankind’ by Rutger Bregman.

• A Bright Idea to Consider - Adam Grant.

• Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.

• Daily Gratitude Journal - Transform your daily routine through reflection.

Hi Everyone,

As always, welcome to the newest members of our optimistic community, and endless gratitude to those who continue to read along.

As we approach the holidays and glide our way through December, time seems to accelerate.

The days are filled with festive prep, gatherings and the anticipation of the New Year.

The biggest shock I experience each year is the early darkness that comes with winter in Toronto.

When it’s pitch black by 5pm and the chill in the air nips at your skin, you know that winter is just around the corner.

Living in Canada for the last 16 years has taught me to appreciate the changing seasons and everything that comes with them.

From the vibrant colours of autumn leaves to those beautiful blankets of winter snow and the warmth of long summer days.

Each season offers its own charm and opportunity for memorable experiences.

If you don’t like one, just wait three months, there’s always something new around the corner.

Fortunately, I appreciate them all.

This week, I share some insights inspired by recent experiences with my daughter.

Recently, she reminded me of the incredible power of leaning into our fears and embracing the challenges in front of us.

It’s remarkable how facing difficult moments leads to growth and transformation, providing us with an added layer of strength to face our next challenge.

Confidence is a fickle thing, to build it you have to put in the reps.

Just like anything in life that’s worth doing.

False confidence is a temporary solution.

It might get you through your current situation, but when it surfaces again, you still won’t have the experience to overcome it.

Flip the coin, though, and those who put in the work will breeze through it a second time.

Life is full of hurdles.

Lined up one after the other.

By leaning into them rather than shying away, we can access new possibilities and discover strengths we didn’t know we had.

And that’s a pretty cool lever for us to pull.

See you on the Brighter Side,

Chris

P.S. I always love hearing from you - feel free to reach out anytime.

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Little Reader / Big Lessons

How My Daughter’s Determination Inspired Us Both

One morning last week, my six-year-old daughter gave me a lesson in perseverance that filled my heart with pride.

First, some context.

As one of the youngest kids in her class, with a birthday two days after Christmas, she had been having a hard time developing her reading skills.

Being the smallest and feeling like you're falling behind can be tough on a little one's spirit.

It began to impact her confidence.

What's interesting, though, is that her best friend is almost a year older, celebrating her birthday in January.

And at their age, that year makes quite a difference.

Standing almost a foot taller and starting to read earlier, her friend was hitting milestones that seemed way out of reach for her.

But if there's one thing I've learned about her, it's that she's a fighter.

Instead of getting discouraged, she used it as motivation to knuckle down and make it happen.

It was as if she decided, "If my friend can do it, so can I."

This determination to catch up, despite the age difference, showed a resilience that moved me.

Over the past few months, I've watched her transform.

She dedicated time to practice her reading after school several times a week.

It was inspiring to see her determination in action.

This wasn't just about reading though; I'd seen similar courage in other areas too.

Whenever she feels nervous about singing or performing, she will spend an hour practising in her room until she feels ready to shine, a quality that will serve her well later in life.

Today was different, though.

After breakfast, she was unusually quiet upstairs in her room.

When I called out to check if she was getting ready for school, I could hear the excitement in her voice when she replied, "Dad, I'm ready!"

Moments later, she appeared downstairs with her arms behind her back and a cheeky grin that said it all.

"Dad," she said, clearly excited with herself.

"I'm ready to read this whole book to you!"

What followed was pure magic.

We snuggled on the couch as she confidently read Little Miss Giggles from start to finish.

Yes, there were some stumbles.

But she put the lessons she had absorbed into action and overcame each one.

The joy on her face as she finished was priceless - she looked me straight in the eye and declared:

"See Dad, I can read now!"

The happiness radiating from her was infectious and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride.

If you have children, you know what an incredible feeling that can be.

Embracing the Challenge

As we strolled to school afterward, she couldn't stop talking about how hard she had worked and how proud she felt.

Then came the moment that struck me the most: she started wondering what other challenges she could tackle next.

At just six years old, she was grasping an important truth, that obstacles can be opportunities for growth.

I took that moment to reinforce her insight.

"Whatever you want to achieve," I told her, "you can do it if you're willing to put in the effort."

Her response?

A bright-eyed "That's so exciting!"

The Bigger Picture

This wasn't just about reading a book.

It was about witnessing a young mind discover the power of persistence and the joy of overcoming obstacles.

Confidence can be a tricky thing for kids, it comes and goes like waves.

But moments like these help build a strong foundation.

By supporting her efforts and celebrating her victories - big or small - we're helping her develop resilience that will serve her throughout life.

Connecting to a Broader Wisdom

Later on that day, I realised my daughter had unknowingly tapped into a powerful philosophy: "The Obstacle Is the Way."

This idea, popularised by Ryan Holiday but rooted in ancient Stoic wisdom, teaches us that challenges aren't just roadblocks.

They're opportunities waiting to be seized.

My daughter didn't see her reading struggles as barriers.

Instead, she viewed them as challenges to conquer.

Now that is a transformative mindset.

It's all about reframing difficulties - not as things that hold us back - but as chances to learn and grow stronger.

I say this coming from a place of pure kindness:

If SHE can do it, YOU can tackle that thing that you’ve been putting off.

Thomas Edison famously made 2,774 attempts to invent a practical light bulb that would be commercially successful.

This is a number that reflects the extensive experimentation he conducted.

 (sorry, I had to 🤣)

The challenge was developing a suitable filament that would glow effectively in a vacuum when electricity was passed through it.

I’d say that turned out pretty well for him.

The Power of Persistence

As I write this, reflecting on the experience, I'm struck by how universal this lesson is.

Whether you're a six-year-old learning to read or an adult tackling a new project at work, the principle remains the same.

Persistence pays off.

My daughter's journey reminds me of all the times in my own life when I faced challenges that seemed insurmountable at first.

From navigating career changes to adapting to life in different countries, each obstacle has been an opportunity to grow.

And for that, I’m thankful.

And just like my daughter, I've found that the satisfaction of overcoming these challenges is worth every ounce of the effort required.

Developing a Growth Mindset

As parents, we have the incredible opportunity to nurture this mindset in our children.

But the truth is, these lessons apply to all of us, no matter our age or experience.

Here are a few things I've learned along the way:

1. Celebrate effort, not just results: When we praise our kids for their hard work, we teach them that the process is just as important as the outcome.

2. Encourage problem-solving: Instead of jumping in to fix things for them, ask questions that help them find solutions on their own.

3. Model resilience: Let your kids see you tackle your challenges with a positive and solution-focused attitude.

4. Create a safe space for failure: Help them understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growing. The only true failure is giving up, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Building Confidence Through Challenges

One thing I've learned over the years is that the more obstacles you overcome, and the more challenging learning experiences you successfully navigate, the higher your confidence soars.

It's like a snowball effect – each small victory builds upon the last, creating a momentum of self-belief that can carry you through even tougher challenges.

The majority of us are capable of much more than we think.

It often comes down to leaning into our fears and assumptions rather than believing them as the absolute truth.

When my daughter first struggled with reading, she could have easily believed she wasn't capable.

Instead, she pushed through, and now she's not only reading but excited about what else she can achieve with her new confidence.

The Power of Our Thoughts

At the end of the day, our thoughts are just that – thoughts.

They're not facts and they're certainly not limitations unless we allow them to be.

We can use them to help navigate our lives, but we shouldn't let them steer the ship.

Within each of us lies the ability to achieve and overcome so much more than we believe.

This experience with my daughter has been a powerful reminder of this truth.

Her initial thoughts of "I can't read" didn't stop her.

Instead, she pushed past them to discover what she was truly capable of.

A Lesson for All Ages

While this story stems from her reading breakthrough, the lesson extends far beyond childhood learning.

The world is moving quickly and it's easy to get discouraged when things don't come easy.

But this experience is a powerful reminder that with persistence, patience, and the right mindset, we can turn our biggest challenges into our greatest achievements.

Next time you're faced with a daunting task or a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, remember my little girl and her book.

Or even better … find strength in the challenges you yourself have already overcome.

Take a deep breath, embrace the challenge and know that on the other side of that struggle is growth, confidence and maybe even a little bit of magic.

After all, opportunities abound for those who are present, engaged and able to solve problems.

By embracing challenges, pushing past our self-imposed limitations and believing in our potential, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities.

There’s no limit to what you might achieve when we stop letting our thoughts hold us back and start believing in our ability to overcome them?

Let's all take a page from Little Miss Giggles and remember: the obstacle isn't just IN our way - it IS the way to becoming a more capable version of ourselves.

If you’re looking for regular tips and practical advice on building resilience, I recommend the following Newsletter:

Bright Reads

Interesting insights to ignite your inner optimist.

• The surprising effect of stress on your brain’s reward system.

• Here’s why you’re always running late - and how to finally be on time.

• The big idea: should we be thinking about luck differently?

• Visiting the gym today could trigger a bright idea next week.

• Digitally detox with these peaceful nature scapes.

Nick Cave

Turning personal tragedy into a source of strength.

Nick Cave has been writing and performing music for a very long time, captivating audiences with his deep baritone voice and poetic lyrics.

As frontman of the legendary band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, he’s developed a unique sound that blends rock, blues and gothic influences, exploring themes of love, death and spirituality.

One of his most famous collaborations is the haunting duet "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with pop icon Kylie Minogue.

This is a track that beautifully showcases his talent for storytelling through music.

These days, you might know Cave from the critically acclaimed series Peaky Blinders.

His iconic song "Red Right Hand" serves as the eerie theme for the show, and throughout its six seasons, at least 14 of his songs were featured in the soundtrack.

This connection has introduced a whole new generation to his work, enhancing the gritty atmosphere of post-World War I Birmingham.

What’s truly impressive is how widely respected Nick Cave is within the music industry.

He has received numerous accolades, including multiple ARIA Awards and recognition as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the performing arts.

His ability to stay relevant and innovative over decades has inspired countless artists across many genres.

With a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire, Cave is a true icon whose work resonates deeply with audiences around the world.

This respect stems not only from his musical achievements but also from his ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level.

Personal Challenges and Resilience

In recent years, Cave’s personal life has seen profound challenges.

Most notably, the heartbreaking loss of two of his sons.

However, Cave's journey through grief is not just a story of loss.

It's a profound exploration of resilience and connection that resonates deeply with many fans, including myself.

As someone who has followed his work for years and seen him perform multiple times, I can attest to the incredible power of his live shows.

They are not just concerts; they’re experiences that move you, challenge you and make you think.

I’ll never forget the night my wife and I attended his show in Toronto in September 2019.

It was a few days after I’d returned home from saying goodbye to my Dad.

I was still reeling from the loss, trying to find my footing in a world that felt suddenly empty.

But this wasn’t just any show.

It was part of Cave's "Conversations" tour - a unique blend of performance and audience interaction that transformed the typical concert experience into something much more intimate and meaningful.

Connection Through Vulnerability

During this tour, Cave engaged in heartfelt Q&A sessions with fans while also performing songs at the piano.

It was an “exercise in connectivity,” as he described it and I felt that connection deeply.

Listening to him share his thoughts on grief and hearing other audience members open up about their own experiences created a space where we could all be vulnerable together.

It was cathartic.

It was comforting and it was incredibly powerful.

Cave's willingness to discuss such personal topics was both refreshing and inspiring.

It reminded me that grief is a universal experience - something we all navigate in our own ways.

His music has always explored themes of love, loss and longing, but during that particular evening, it felt like he was speaking directly to those of us grappling with our pain.

Hearing him articulate the complexities of grief opened my mind and comforted me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Transformation Through Grief

What struck me most about Cave during that show was his transformation from a brooding rock star into a kind of goth grief counsellor.

This evolution has been shaped by his own experiences with loss, particularly the tragic death of his son Arthur in 2015 and later the passing of his son Jethro in 2022.

Instead of retreating into darkness or despair, Cave has channelled his grief into his art and interactions with fans.

His albums "Skeleton Tree" and "Ghosteen" are hauntingly beautiful reflections on loss, filled with raw emotion and vulnerability.

They showcase how he has turned personal tragedy into a source of strength - a theme that resonates deeply with anyone who has faced similar hardships.

In many ways, these albums serve as a testament to the transformative power of grief.

Cave’s journey illustrates that it's possible not only to survive loss but also to emerge from it stronger and more connected to others.

He’s embraced the idea that sharing our pain can grow deeper connections among us all.

Through platforms like the Red Hand Files - where he responds to fan letters with astonishing vulnerability - he has created a space for dialogue about grief, faith and love.

The "Conversations" tour exemplified this shift beautifully.

Instead of simply performing songs for an audience, he invited us into his world - a world where pain is acknowledged and shared rather than hidden away.

That night in Toronto, I felt seen and understood in a way that I had not expected when I walked into the venue.

His ability to connect with fans on such a profound level is what makes his work so impactful.

He’s not just an artist; he’s a guide through the complexities of human emotion.

His recent album "Wild God" continues this exploration, blending themes from across his career while reflecting on how grief has shaped him as an artist.

Wild God has received two Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance for the song "Song of the Lake".

Gratitude for Connection

As I reflect on my experience as a fan of Nick Cave's work, I realise how indebted I feel to him for providing solace during one of my most challenging times.

His music has always moved me but it was during that intimate concert experience that I truly understood the depth of his artistry.

While he often comes across as dark and broody, his ability to connect with his audience on taboo or challenging subjects resonates greatly and shows his profound empathy and understanding of the human experience.

This connection allows you (the listener) to feel seen and heard, creating a shared space for vulnerability that differs greatly from the typical artist-fan dynamic.

In sharing his journey through grief, Cave reminds us all that we are not alone in our struggles.

He shows us that vulnerability can lead to connection and healing - a lesson we can all carry with us as we navigate our paths through loss and love.

So here’s to Nick Cave: an artist who has transformed personal tragedy into a source of strength for himself and countless others.

His journey through grief is not just about survival; it’s about finding joy amid sorrow and growing connections that transcend our individual experiences.

And for that, I will always be grateful.

If you have 25 minutes, check out this amazing interview with Cave:

Bookmarks

Humankind: A Hopeful History

by Rutger Bregman

I’m excited to share my thoughts on a book I read quite recently, Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.

At a time when negativity and scepticism about human nature are amplified, Bregman offers a refreshing perspective that challenges the common belief that humans are inherently selfish.

I tend to side with Bregman in that I believe the vast majority of humans are awesome.

We may not all see eye to eye on certain issues, but we are inherently kind and considerate at heart.

There have been numerous occasions where my assumptions about a person were completely wrong upon meeting them in person.

These experiences have reinforced my belief that people often surprise us with their warmth and generosity when we make the effort to connect.

Experiencing life in various countries and travelling is something I love, so I was curious to see if Bregman's ideas could connect with people everywhere, not just in one specific culture.

Key Highlights

A New View of Humanity:

Bregman takes us on an engaging journey through history, examining events from prehistoric times to modern-day scenarios.

He argues that humans are fundamentally good and have evolved to be cooperative and compassionate.

This hopeful perspective is particularly relevant today, where cynicism often prevails.

The Power of Altruism:

Bregman presents numerous examples of human kindness and solidarity.

He highlights how people tend to rise to the occasion in times of crisis, like during the London Blitz, demonstrating that when faced with adversity, we often support one another rather than succumb to chaos.

This challenges the notion that a thin veneer of civilisation keeps us from descending into savagery.

Historical Context:

He skillfully weaves historical events with scientific research from psychology and anthropology.

He critiques classic studies, like the Stanford prison experiment, arguing that they often overlook the inherent goodness in people.

By providing a broader context, he encourages readers to reconsider their views on human behaviour.

Implications for Society:

One of the most striking aspects of Humankind is its call to action.

Bregman believes that if we shift our mindset to believe in humanity's fundamental goodness, it can lead to positive changes in politics, economics and social structures.

He also makes a compelling case for how this optimistic view can develop trust and cooperation within communities.

Universal Principles:

While Bregman's focus is on human nature, his insights have broader implications for understanding happiness across cultures.

Just as Scandinavian countries rank high in happiness due to their strong social support systems, low corruption levels and high trust among citizens, Bregman suggests that believing in our collective goodness can create similar environments elsewhere.

The Nordic model emphasises equality and community well-being, principles that could be adopted globally.

My Takeaway

Humankind is more than just an exploration of human nature.

It's a hopeful plan for how we can improve our societies by focusing on our positive qualities.

Bregman's engaging writing style makes complex ideas easy to follow and relatable, encouraging us to reflect on our own beliefs about humanity.

For anyone interested in understanding what drives human behaviour or looking for inspiration on how to encourage kindness in their communities, this book is a great read.

Humankind is a powerful reminder that we all have the capacity for compassion and cooperation.

It helps us challenge our assumptions and consider how believing in the goodness of people can lead to real change.

Got a recommendation?

Please share; I'm always keen to hear quality suggestions.

A Bright Idea to Consider

Adam Grant

Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s natural to feel disappointed when things don’t meet our expectations. Instead of ignoring your feelings, acknowledge them and understand their source.

2. Shift Your Focus: When disappointment surfaces, try to shift your focus toward gratitude. Reflecting on what you have and recognising that things could be worse can help build a more positive mindset. There’s a big difference between “Why is this happening to me?” and “What is this teaching me?”

3. Control What You Can: We can’t control external events but we can control our reaction and perspective. Choosing how we respond sets our emotional tone.

4. Be Thankful: Regularly practicing gratitude can improve your overall well-being. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or taking a moment each day to reflect on what you appreciate in your life.

5. Embrace the Present: Grant emphasises that for most people in most places, this is the best time in history to be alive. Embracing the present and recognising the advancements and opportunities available can create a sense of hope and positivity.

Lesson

Grant's wise words remind us to be careful where we focus our attention.

The world is full of distractions and challenges making it easy to get caught up in negativity.

But if we choose to be grateful and notice the good things in our lives, we can build a more positive outlook.

Final Thought

While we may not always control what happens to us, we always have a choice in how we react.

Focus on what you appreciate and watch how it transforms your outlook.

Positively Hilarious

A quick laugh as we part ways this week.

Daily Gratitude Journal

Transform your daily routine with my specially crafted gratitude journal. Start (or end) each day with a moment of reflection and positivity.

Thank you to all who have purchased a copy so far, I am truly grateful and for every journal sold, I will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

This means that as you develop daily gratitude, you're also helping grant wishes to children facing critical illnesses.

It's a powerful cycle of hope and optimism.

🌟 What's Inside:

• Thoughtful prompts to inspire daily gratitude.

• Space for personal reflections and affirmations.

• Beautifully designed pages to make each entry a delightful experience.

Ready to embrace the power of gratitude?

Click here to order a copy now!

Recommended Newsletters:

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