The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact

“Tell me about your child’s experiences in school. Tell me about yours.” (Understanding) “Tell me your hopes and dreams for your child’s future.” (Validation) “What do you want your child to be someday?” (Validation) “What do I need to do to help your child learn more effectively?” (Caring)

In short, courage is contagious. From historic protests to everyday acts, from the civil rights movement to an employee asking a tough question, this is the lesson we’ve learned: It is hard to be courageous, but it’s easier when you’ve practiced, and when you stand up, others will join you.

The good news is that if even one person is brave enough to defy the majority, we are emboldened. We’re not alone anymore. We’re not crazy. And we feel we can call red “red.”

You cannot bring two teams together by simply talking about unity. They must experience unity. That’s what makes it a defining moment.

In his research, Hansen also explored the distinction between purpose and passion.5 Purpose is defined as the sense that you are contributing to others, that your work has broader meaning. Passion is the feeling of excitement or enthusiasm you have about your work. Hansen was curious which would have the greater effect on job performance. He groupe

(It’s called “36 Questions.”)

The researchers concluded that perceived pain increases “prosociality,” or voluntary behavior to benefit others. They argued that extreme rituals—and specifically the shared experience of pain—can be seen as “social technology to bind in-groups together.”

many people believe they need to find their calling, as though it were a “magical entity that exists in the world waiting to be discovered.”6 She believes purpose isn’t discovered, it’s cultivated.

One patient with cancer was undergoing her fifth or sixth trial of chemotherapy, but she was not responding. She wanted to throw her pregnant daughter-in-law a baby shower but knew she would never make it out of the hospital before the baby was born.10 So the staff arranged for her to throw the shower at the hospital. They reserved a nice jade gard