.047 Austen Brower

Austen and I have known each other for a grand total of about 58 days. We’ve never met in person, but he has already played quite a large role in my life. He reached out to me about a book that he’s writing on gratitude, and from there we scheduled a quick chat/interview. For context, I’ve spent the last 4 years wrestling with the idea of how to bring gratitude back into my life, and hopefully the lives of others, too. I’ve written notes, journaled, talked and talked with friends and family about it, and never started anything, mostly out of the fear of not being perfect with my execution. That changed after I spoke with Austen.

For some reason, everything just clicked when I hung up the call with Austen. I shut my computer, walked 10 steps to my boyfriend and made it known that I know exactly what I want/need to do: this! The grate|full project started about a day later, and I don’t think it would have without the simple small indirect nudge from Austen. His curiosity and passion for gratitude reminded that there’s not only an audience for it, but also that there’s genuine hope in the world, even when everything seems pretty awful. He eloquently asked me questions about my experience and brought of questions and ideas that I’ve never thought of before, altogether adding to the excitement to get back on the gratitude journey.

Austen, thank you so much for your original outreach to me, dealing with my rescheduling at first, and then for our wonderful chat. Thank you for coming into my life at quite a perfect time. Thank you for writing what is sure to be an amazing book that benefits the lives and emotions of so many people. Thank you for continuing with it, even when things get tough or if you second-guess yourself. I’m excited for our eventual beer together. Thank you for being you.

-BD