"A single conversation across the table from a wise man is worth a month's study of books." - Old Chinese Proverb

I'm a curious person. I've always enjoyed talking with taxi drivers and strangers on airplanes. One of my big beliefs in life is that you never know where you'll get your life changing insights. Even a jerk can teach you things. In fact... often it's your tormentors - more than your mentors - who teach you those biggie lessons you remember for life.

For example: "Yo! Nothing is ever as good - or as bad - as it first appears!"

Unfortunately both "Part A" and "Part B" of the above got drilled into my neurons far more from my tormentors than my mentors.

The good news... if you stay curious about this curvy, twisty, chaotic thing called life -- and keep your eyes open for insights - they will come from surprising places and unexpected people.

Once I was seated on an airplane next to a man who told me they were passionate about gardening.

"What's a super good gardening tip for me?" I asked curiously (although the only thing I'd ever grown in my life was an occasional onion in my vegetable drawer.)

"My number one gardening tip," said the man, "is to recognize that some plants and flowers are only meant to live a certain amount of time -- for a certain season -- and if you try to make them live longer, you will be a bad gardener."

Wow. What he said rang true for me about a business relationship I was in at the time which I needed to get out of. It was interesting how "the zen of gardening" also applied to "the zen of relationships."

The man went on to add, "Also, different plants have different needs for sunshine and water. Some need very little sunlight - thrive best in darkness - with only a little moisture. Others need a lot of light and feeding. Different plants all have different needs and speeds for growth. You must really know what each individual plant needs - and not treat them all the same."

Again I felt that Wow. This "zen of gardening" also applied to "the zen of relationships." It's always essential to get a pulse on an individuals needs -- read their instruction manuals very carefully!

Because I never know where "zen wisdom" might come from, I'm always open to having conversations with strangers. At parties, I especially love to have conversations with people who at first glance have nothing in common with me.

Your assisgnment:

Become a more curious person. During times of crises, get curious about the lesson to be learned!

During times of boredom in taxis, planes, and trains start a conversation.

You never know. Next time you're waiting in a long movie line, and start talking with the people in front of you -- the conversation you share with these strangers, might turn out to be more exciting and entertaining than the movie you're waiting to see.