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M o n d a y M o r n i n g M o t i v a t i o n W i t h M i k e #52

DID YOU KNOW:

There's a psychological phenomenon out there referred to as 'Recency Effect' 

The recency effect creates a certain bias in our brains to give more weight to the most recent information we've gathered from the most recent external life experience. Which, in turn, can shift our way of thinking, many times even resulting in behavioral changes. 

The greater the most recent life experience the greater the impact it can have on us. Life experiences don't get much bigger than the loss of a loved one, or like what many are experiencing in Florida right now, the loss of a home or business.

Thankfully, Hurricane Milton's landfall destruction, though devastating, wasn't near as catastrophic as originally predicted.

I remember after Hurricane Harvey hit here in Texas a few years back and how we Texans came together in solidarity for those who lost loved ones, homes, businesses, etc by donating our time, money, and resources.

Myself, along with other friends and family members went out to areas along the Texas coastline that were impacted and helped rescue those stranded, helped clean up, cooked and provided food for those without, and helped rebuild.

Major local companies provided so much relief by offering their money and resources to help those in need.

It was a very sobering moment, much like it is for those in Florida and you see so many coming together out there to help those impacted by Milton.

Here's the thing about recency effect though. It doesn't last. As our memory fades of that recent event, as life goes on, and other experiences dominate our thoughts, or we simply just get caught back up in the hustle and bustle of life, we revert to our older patterns of behavior and old habits begin to take precedence. 

UNLESS there's a conscious, sustained effort to maintain the change. 

My message for you today is twofold:

1. Why must we wait for catastrophic events to take place before we extend our prayers, time, love, energy, and resources to our fellow neighbors?

   Even something as simple as seeing the police lights behind you as you drive can have a ‘recency effect’ on you; sure you’ll slow down in the moment and even moments after they pass you but how quickly do you speed back up? How soon after you feel for those devastated by Hurricane Milton do you forget about them? Have you already? Has life already gotten the better of you again to where you’re focus is back on you?

2. Why, when the feelings have faded, do we drift back to our old ways and become less mindful, less caring, less aware? 

   Or worse, let our God-forsaken-fear-mongering media outlets dictate to us how different we are and how we need to stay divided? Rather than how similar we all are and how much stronger we are when we stand united?!

You know, when things get crazy and the media wants us to believe that things are much worse than they are better, you’ll often hear people say that they’ve ‘‘given up on humanity’’.

I refuse.

I’m still a part of humanity, so are my wife and kids. And so long as we are a part of humanity, we vouch to do our part to the best of our ability to be a shining light for those living in darkness.

Let’s not wait for the next hurricane, instead lets be one for each other, offering relentless winds of love, gratitude, and compassion; flooding the lives of our neighbors with positivity, hope, kindness, and our caring presence.

Remember, it takes conscious, sustained effort to maintain the change. Lets be that change. Let’s be the reason why someone smiles today.

Thanks for reading, y’all, really appreciate you.

And please never forget:

Giving YOURSELF acknowledgement, compliments, and forgiveness is the starting point for giving to others.

Much love, mi gente!

- Mike O’Hara

PS

Though edited quite a bit so that its relevant for you, today’s newsletter was actually the original ending to my Uncle Mike’s eulogy. But the night before I completely changed it up after feeling compelled to do so off inspiration I experienced on my plane flight earlier that day.

Please let me know what you thought of today’s newsletter: