Hi Reader,

Welcome back to Renaissance

This newsletter is meant to:

• Teach you cool stuff
• Inspire you to take bold action
• Make you pause, smile, and maybe even laugh

It's part of my mission to live a story worth telling while helping YOU do the same.

If you're ready to create more meaning, fulfillment, and adventure in your life, click the button below:

Why wait any longer?

What I'm learning about 🧠

The secret formula to feeling MORE ALIVE.

I'll give you a hint.

It's what Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama are doing in this photo:

If you guessed "getting down to some filthy rap beats", you're close.

The correct answer is:

HAVING FUN.

Seriously, look at those two!

It brings a huge smile to my face.

I bet you $100 that you can't not smile at this next photo:

These two priceless photos come from Catherine Price's amazing TED talk which you can watch here.​

In it, she explains that the secret to feeling more alive is to have more fun.

But being told to "have more fun", is not very helpful advice.

If we knew how to do that we'd see mandatory adult recess and piñatas full of tequila at 50th birthday parties.

Catherine shows us how to break "fun" down into a mathematical formula:

FUN = Playfulness + Connection + Flow

Fun is a feeling, not an activity.

It emerges in our bodies when we are being playful, connecting with others, and doing things that create a flow state.

Your homework for this week?

Put something on the calendar that will bring those three elements together.

Bonus points if you look half as happy as the Dalai Lama in that last photo!

P.S. If you are unable to see the photos, click "allow photos from this sender" at the top of this email.

What I'm thinking about 💭

The most important decision you'll ever make.

According to the legendary Albert Einstein, there's one decision that we all have to make.

It's a decision that trumps all others.

It's obviously not what type of hair gel to use, as step #4 of his hair care routine was sticking a fork into an electrical socket.

He famously said:

"The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe."

This influences everything.

You can believe the universe is out to get you and hiss like a fat tabby cat when things don't go your way.

Not recommended.

Or you can believe that the universe has your back and that things are playing out exactly as they are "supposed to."

Now let me be clear, I have no way of knowing which is true.

But believing that the universe and I are besties and that she's looking out for me makes my life a lot more fun.

And if you read the section above, having more fun is the goal!

But let's do a quick thought experiment.

Let's say that the universe is actually hostile.

And that when you die, you're going to be forced to watch the worst movie ever made on repeat FOREVER.

I did some research and it appears that "The Hottie & The Nottie", featuring Paris Hilton in the lead role, is one of the worst films of all time.

Second only to "Fire Maidens From Outer Space" 😂

My point is this:

If the universe is hostile, you're screwed regardless of what you believe.

If watching Paris Hilton's acting is your eternal fate, why not have some fun now before it's too late?

I think you'll find evidence for your beliefs, whatever you choose.

So choose wisely my dear reader!

Quote of the week 📜

“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” - Russell Nelson

What I'm creating 🎨🎬🎤

It's finally here!!

The most beautiful episode of The Dare to Dream Podcast ever created.

I'm mostly just saying that because my mustache is in it.

Watch it on YouTube HERE and see the new look of our in-person guest episodes.

P.S. If you don't hate it and/or me, go ahead and like and subscribe!

What I'm reading 📚

I can finally bring this section back now that I'm finished with Shogun.

It's one of my favorite books of all time but it is a behemoth!

Yesterday, I just started Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin.

This has been on my "recommended leadership books" list for a few years now and so far I like it.

Feel free to reply to this email if you have any thoughts about it!

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Sent with love,

Gregory Russell Benedikt

Website: gregoryrussellbenedikt.com

Podcast: The Dare to Dream Podcast​

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