There are some people who seem to have abundant energy. Creativity oozes out of every pore. They tackle life and life’s challenges with generosity, excitement and genuine curiosity.
As I walked up the street yesterday I was presented with one of life’s gentlemen — Paul Bennett. You can’t miss him with his mane of silver hair, wide eyes and smiling face. After wishing me a happy new year he handed me a card … membership of his new Lift Club. Actually, it was more than membership — I am now a LIFT CAPTAIN.
Membership entitles you to openly converse with others while riding in a lift/elevator. On his site, you can learn the "rules" — promote friendship, create good energy, create a club environment and HAVE FUN!
Paul also provides ideas for lift games, provides questions to get people talking and engaging. AND if you are daring enough, you can take the PAVAROTTI challenge — invite your fellow lift travellers to sing with you. I am thinking of trying the Pavarotti challenge myself — but will only get a couple of bars done by the time I arrive at my destination. Probably best for my fellow lift captives (ahem … lift travellers).
All joking aside, this is a sensational way of openly breaking down some of the barriers that we allow between and amongst ourselves. Give it a go. Oh, and tell me how you went. Can you get anyone to sing with you?
I wonder why people avoid personal contact in elevators. What’s up with that? What I actually think is that we don’t want to make a connection with someone who we know will be out of our life within moments.
We figure, “Why bother? We’re only together for a few seconds.”
This Lift Club idea makes you think–every moment of your life counts. There are no throw-away passages of time, and sometimes experiencing someone fleetingly is better than never knowing them at all.
Oh, thanks for the link Gavin! You were kind enough to introduce me to Paul once, when I really needed a professional lift, when I needed to know that there are good people who strive to create worth and want everyone to win. His genuine love of life, people and our craft made all the difference.
The building I now work in contains the Office of Homeland Security. I’m a fan of :”The world is one country and all its people citizens”. And I’ll to see if if I can ‘Make it work in the lift and it will work in the world’. Elevated thoughts- hurray!
That’s amazing Gavin. Not that there is any way in hell I’m ever singing on an elevator, but that is so amazing. Simple, elegant and as Sharon just mentioned, a wonderful connection- even if fleeting.
I’m beginning to think you Aussies really are better than us Americans.
Yes, the Elevator Club doesn’t have the same ring to it does it?