Hey!

This is less of a business email but more of a personal share, but life is business, and business is life. Business emails will return next week! Don't worry. If you want a few free resources, scroll all the way to the bottom.

In a fleeting moment of vulnerability, a couple of weeks ago, I vaguely shared in an Instagram story that I was having a flare-up of an inflammatory condition I have. Usually, I keep those things to myself. It’s not business-related or light.
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I didn’t go into specifics, but turned my phone on “do-not-disturb” and tried to control the symptoms. My partner was leaving for a work trip, one in Alaska, where they would be speaking to a large audience, and I was supposed to go with.

There was no way Kat could stay, nor would I have ever insisted on that, but I was pretty sad as I clicked “cancel flight” on my United App and passed out into the black hole of our couch.

The days after they left, I was in what I have been describing to friends as a “pain-fog." I ended up with 3 visits to my doctors and 2 urgent medical procedures I hadn’t planned for in the span of 5 days.
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Because I had shared briefly on Instagram and updated a few close friends, and then put my phone down, when I picked up my phone again, I was shocked.

I had so many messages checking in on me.

I felt absolutely blown away. I had text messages, DM’s, phone calls and more, from family and friends who didn’t think twice before “showing up” in whatever way they could.

A couple of my best friends came and sat on my couch with soup and acted (per my request) like it was just a normal night. My partner checked in on me endlessly from far away. My parents picked up prescriptions, drove me to last-minute doctor appointments, and took the dog out when I couldn’t walk more than a few steps.

My assistant Melissa rescheduled my week, and my clients without hesitance, generously agreed. I felt so taken care of. I felt so grateful. I got text check-ins from so many people I love.
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I will spare you the medical details, but I am doing much better. Please don’t worry about me. I am doing what I need to do next.

But I do want to share something about community. As an open letter to you, the one who sees people…

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I want you to know, that every time you reach out to someone in a text, call, or make room to even just say hello to someone, it means something.

I am talking, even the group chat member that you reply to when others forget.
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The sticky note of encouragement you put on someone’s computer when you notice they are at lunch.
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The friend or family member you know is going through it, but you don’t know what to say, so you say “Hey, just checking on you.”

The person you send a meme to, that reminds you of them.

The partner you leave a message for on their leftovers in the fridge.

The heartfelt birthday note even if you haven’t talked in quite a while.

The “I just wanted to say hi and give you a quick hug” when you are out and about and you see that person you know, even if you have limited time…

Those things really really matter. ​
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As someone who intentionally tries to do those things, I have found myself often downplaying the importance of micro-touchpoints when they’re coming from me.

But as I was laying there on the receiving end, listening to a “Lower Inflammation Theta Waves” track trying to sleep instead of counting the minutes to my doctor appointment, I can tell you, it mattered more than you know.

I felt wrapped in a metaphorical hug by so many people I know, some a little and some a lot. Some I hadn’t replied to yet. In my mind, I imagined all of that love filling every blood vessel in my body with sparkly healing magic, and I know that sounds silly, but it helped me stay focused on getting to the other side of it.

If there is a friend or family you’ve wanted to reach out to this week, maybe someone that you thought of, and then they flew out of your mind just as fast, I recommend you say something, even something quick.

Don’t overthink it. Your small check-in might feel so healing to someone. ​
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Lauren V. Davis ​P.S. Curious about working together? See what my clients say. I would love to show you the encouragement and energy you deserve. Want to chat or brainstorm your business? ​Book a call to chat!​ Free goodies for you: ​The most impactful TOOLS I use to run my business​​ ​​Make Meaningful Connections On LinkedIn​ ​20+ Memorable Speakers Share Their Secret Tips for Getting Booked​​ ​100+ Quality Content Prompts For Speakers​ ​100+ Quality Content Prompts For Personal Brands​ ​Connect with me on LinkedIn​

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