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The one thing you can count on in the Washington, DC area is traffic.  No matter how hard you try to avoid it, congestion along the major arteries in and around our Nation’s Capital is as inevitable as death and taxes.  Having taken my fair share of lumps over the years, I have had far too long to read countless bumper stickers while stuck in traffic.  Political affiliation.  School pride.  Religious denomination.  Sports allegiance.  Family dynamics.  You can learn a lot about a driver by paying attention to their bumper stickers.  Social media allows for open communication to a potentially massive audience.  But the old school medium of billboard space on your bumper is perhaps the most direct method of communication in society today.  Think about it.  Where else can you learn, in an instant, that the person in front of you has two children and one dog, roots for the Redskins, vacations in the Outer Banks, runs in marathons, stands for peace  and loves Jesus?  Regardless of how you feel about their various affiliations, you have to give these folks some credit.  They are not afraid to put themselves out there!

And couldn’t we all stand to do a little more of that in our lives?  At work, how many times have you swallowed hard and towed the company line even it conflicted with your own personal views?  How many times have you stifled your own ideas for fear of rejection by management? How many times have you tempered your enthusiasm in front of the client in order to look more “corporate”?  There is a time and place for everything and we don’t have to always go overboard. Sometimes, you have to tow the company line and put on a brave face for the rest of the office.  Sometimes, your ideas need to take a backseat for the moment to let another idea play out.  Sometimes, we need to play it close to the vest with our emotions in a sales situation.  But this should not be the standard operating procedure!  Your ideas need to be heard.  Your passion needs to shine through in all you do.  No one is going to fault you for showing incredible effort and expressing emotion.  Even if the execution is a little off, enthusiasm and passion will make up for your tactical shortcomings.  Do not be afraid to let your “outside voice” overcome your “inside voice”.  As Walt Whitman so eloquently stated (via Dead Poet’s Society!): “I sound my barbaric YAWP over the rooftops of the world!” Let that YAWP be a positive force.  Sound it out with enthusiasm.  And don’t let anyone take that YAWP away from you.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.–Dr. Seuss

Imagine Dave Grohl holding back on his vocals.  Or Tony Robbins sleepwalking his way through a seminar.  Or Samuel Jackson mailing in a dramatic performance.  There are people who let their emotions shine through in all they do.  And it makes a difference.  I am not suggesting you need to deliver fire and brimstone in every aspect of your life.  Not everyone is that type of person (and that is a good thing).  But be true to your own voice.  Do not stifle your ideas.  Speak your mind and do not worry if you will be judged.  Sometimes you need to shake the trees in order to feel alive.

If we are going to lead a resilient life, there are times when we have to take a close look in the mirror.  How can I bounce back from my defeat?  How can I build lasting relationships?  How can I feel better about my contributions to this world?  Most of the time, it comes down to emotion and enthusiasm.  Pour your soul into everything you do.  Be a shining example of passion and show conviction in all your actions.  Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve and put yourself out there.  Your true voice will win out in the end.

Until next week, keep smiling!