FOR THOSE WHO ZAG

Here’s to the ones who still write things down.

The analog ones.
The handwritten ones.
The slow ones.
The kind ones.
The ones who believe a short walk can fix more than an app.
The ones who know dogs need little pats on the head and sunsets deserve an audience.

They’re not fond of shortcuts and they’re suspicious of templates.
They have respect for empty spaces
and complicated feelings about noise.

You can quote them. You can disagree with them. Scroll past them.
But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.

Because they notice.

They notice birds.
And clouds.
And tired teachers.
And lonely cashiers.
And the person who just simply needs a minute.

They’re the ones who wave in traffic.
Who let people merge.
Who listen to kids like they’re great philosophers.

These are the ones who believe in smiling with their whole face
and handwritten thank you notes
and personalized cakes
and remembering there’s other real humans out there living
real human lives who deserve to be looked directly in the eyes
and told how much they matter.

You see, while some people are busy optimizing life, there are others busy living it.

They see things differently.
They see gentleness as strength.
Kindness as courage.
Attention as rebellion.

Many might be trying to disrupt the world, but these folks are trying to repair it.

While the world keeps refreshing, they’ll keep remembering.
Some may call them outdated,
but time will reveal them as wise
and essential.

Because the people who are gentle enough
to think they can change the world …
are usually the ones who do.

—

Brad Montague, The Enthusiast

 

 

 

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image credit: leafy trees