Finding Hope Within Our Fears

I was riding down a long escalator at the airport today when I heard loud crashing behind me. Someone had lost control of their large suitcase. It was tumbling down the 30 feet of empty space between us… Right at me!

It was moving fast, and there was no space to dodge. I feared it might hurt me or knock me off balance. I felt in danger. My heart rate went up. My nervous system activated.

I braced myself with a hand on the railing and raised my foot to try to stop the case’s momentum and pin it against the side of the escalator. Gratefully, it worked.

The owner was racing behind the bag with an overwhelmed, desperate look on her face.

She said, “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I’m having such a terrible day. You could have been really hurt.”

Her vulnerability softened my fears. I replied, “Don’t worry. Everything turned out fine.” Then I paused and asked, “Do you need a hug?”

She didn’t hesitate. Her eyes got wet, and she softly said, “Yes, I do.”

So when we got to the bottom of the escalator I embraced her whole-heartedly. She burst into tears.

I said, “Everything is okay. You’re doing good. I’m so sorry you are having a tough day. It’s going to get better.” And she just kept crying. I cried with her.

A guy who had been watching all of this walked over and said, “I’ve had times like this. I get it.”

After a minute, she released the hug, and I stepped back. She seemed better. I offered her a blessing, and we both set off to catch our flights.

I believe all of us have this kind of compassion to offer. When we open our hearts to the struggles of others, we can set down our fears and truly cross over.

And hope can magically appear from nowhere - though, in truth, it was with us all along.

Strength in Surrender

I was so frustrated at the airport early this morning when a TSA agent told me to get out of the line.

I knew she was wrong. I argued. I resisted.

Then, I listened and realized she was right. I was in the wrong line. There was a different line that was better for me.

I admitted my mistake, apologized, thanked her, and walked to the other line.

I like to be right. I want to be the winner. But my life is so much better when I embrace humility when I need to.

Maybe you are struggling right now and you are battling your way into exhaustion. Maybe the victory is in surrender.

Your Story Is Bigger Than You Know

When I woke up on this day 6 years, I had no idea my life was about to change.

I felt so discouraged that morning. Many things in my personal & professional life weren’t going as I had planned.

I was speaking to a group of filmmakers in San Antonio, TX. It was the only speech on my calendar for the year, so I brought as much energy to the stage as I could.

On that particular day, there was someone in the audience who was touched by my message. He made a phone call and opened doors for me.

Within 6 months, I was traveling the country, delivering keynotes for all types of audiences. My entire career changed on that day, and I entered the most rewarding phase of my work so far.

Each time I think about that moment, I am reminded of this truth: No matter how you feel right now, the story of your life is much bigger than you know.

There is unexpected possibility within each moment, and today could be the day that everything shifts for you. Your job is to show up and bring your full self.

I know this is a difficult time, but I’m always cheering for you!

The Rhythm of Compassion

I was running through the Atlanta airport to catch a tight connecting flight. I rushed onto a crowded shuttle train to change terminals. A little boy sprinted ahead of his family and jumped onto the shuttle beside me. The doors closed behind him. The rest of his family were still on the platform. 

His parent’s faces instantly dropped. I saw the desperation in his mother’s eyes. I shouted through the glass, “We will meet you at the next stop. I will take care of him.” They were too shocked to respond as the train sped off. 

I took a knee next to him and introduced myself. Even through the mask, I could tell he was a special needs kid and anxiety was overwhelming him. I fully understood why his mom was in a panic.

We got off at the next stop, and a voice announced there was a problem that would delay train service. I was now certain I would miss my flight, and my schedule for the day was in big trouble. I could feel the chaos this would create for me.

I waited on the platform with him for a while. He never spoke, so I told him how much I liked his Ninja Turtles backpack and how brave he was for flying. I talked about how cool this airport was and how exciting it was going to be to see his parents in a few minutes.

Then the shuttles started moving again and his family appeared. They hugged him tight. His mom was crying. I blew them kisses, picked up my bag, and took giant leaps up the escalator. Maybe there was still a chance…

As I reached the gate, my heart sank. The boarding area was empty. But there was a single Delta employee at the desk. From 50 feet away, she called to me, “Mr Culp! I was supposed to release your seat, but I just knew you were going to make it. I took care of you.” I cheered and hustled down the jetway. She closed the door behind me.

As I sat in my seat - the last spot on a full flight - I felt so grateful. Sometimes it seems that there isn’t enough and all we can do is fight for ourselves. It feels like there isn’t room in our hearts to hold the stories of strangers. 

But love calls us to risk. To sacrifice what is comfortable and simple.

Sometimes the cost is high and our generosity seems to fall short. But every so often, we catch a glimpse of what’s possible. Our hearts beat together in a rhythm of compassion, and we dance through life together.

May we choose to share more of this kindness with each other.

We Need Each Other

After a speech, a woman named Susan tracked me down. She was battling Stage 4 cancer and wanted to share how my message had lifted her spirits.

I said, “I will pray for you. Actually, would you like to pray right now?”

She turned and told all the people around us: “We are going to pray. You can join us if you want.”

Moments later, surrounded by new friends, I prayed for Susan. I prayed for her healing and for the healing of the world. I prayed for strength, hope, and peace.

When I finished, we were all crying. I felt grace and light everywhere. And each person got a hug.

Dear friends, we need each other. We are built for connection and community, and life is better when we walk together.

I’m committed to being ready for these opportunities and keeping my heart open to engage them fully. I hope you will continue to join me.

2021 - You are Ready!

For the first time in 18 years, my son Logan’s room is empty. And I have lots of feelings about it.

The lockdowns derailed his plan to live in the college dorms, but he just found a great apartment, and we moved him in last night - on New Years Eve.

As I stand in his quiet room this morning, I’m thinking about both the joyful and sad moments I shared with my boy in this space. And I sense the beautiful possibilities as he moves to the next chapter. There are many unknowns, but he is ready.

I also feel this way about our first day of 2021 - plenty of experiences from the past year to consider, but so much faith for what’s to come. 

Today I am praying that you will have fresh vision and energy for the adventures ahead. 

May you feel grace behind you, strength within you, and hope before you.

Happy 2021. 

You are ready. 

Just enough hair paste...

30 minutes before my Tech Rehearsal yesterday, I realized I forgot to pack my hair product. That may sound silly, but when you are talking to hundreds of people you want your hair to look right.

So I called an Uber and found a Target, in my pajamas. They had hair paste, so I was saved with moments to spare. But it was in a 4 oz container, which is .6 oz bigger than the TSA rules for carry-on. And I also needed it today in Kansas City.

So I quickly cleaned out the tiny shampoo bottle at the hotel and scraped some of the paste into it and I had just enough for today. Hooray!

My New Office

A few months ago, my office was destroyed by water damage. It took several weeks to get it functional again. It was really hard for me.

While I was traveling this week, my wife created a wonderful surprise. She assembled my career memories, childhood toys, & many other things I adore. And she built me a new, beautiful space.

I nearly cried when I saw it. It’s a perfect place for me.

Love you, Tricia Culp. And special thanks to designer Kathy Bowling for making it happen. You are awesome!

The JOKER movie & the invisible glass door

There’s a subtle moment in the film JOKER that really affected me.

Although this film is based on a character from comic books, it's a dark, heavy story. But I think it has a lot to teach us about compassion, grace, and empathy.

Here’s my video about it:

Building a Quiet Brand

At the height of the of popularity of Calvin & Hobbes , creator Bill Watterson made an unprecedented decision: he rejected all merchandising offers.

No licensing for stuffed animals, cartoons, lunch boxes, shirts, or stickers. He wouldn’t even talk to Pixar about an animated film. To this day, there is nothing for sale but reprints of the original comics.

When compared with brands like Peanuts & Garfield, it’s likely that Watterson turned down at least $400 million in deals.

His focus was the integrity of the art. He didn’t want these products to distract from the storytelling. He wanted his characters to live in just one format, with one voice.

Most industry experts predicted that when the newspaper strip ended in 1995, Calvin & Hobbes would disappear from public consciousness. Without new content or outside licensing, it would vanish. Conventional wisdom says that’s how you build brand recognition.

But Watterson intended it to be a self-contained work, within his control from start to finish. And he built exactly the brand identity he envisioned.

Calvin & Hobbes remains among the most successful comics in print. The collected editions of the original newspaper strips have sold more 30 million copies.

Today, many believe that Watterson’s refusal to license created a purity that keeps us intrigued with the original work. There is only one version of these iconic stories and that strengthens our love for them.

In our noisy world, sometimes the best branding isn’t about getting louder. Sometimes, it’s about quietly growing in your craft, obsessively pursuing the work, building real connections one person at a time, and focusing on the long-term legacy you are creating for your life & your career.

Be willing to LOSE so you can WIN

These days, being myself feels like a dream job. But there were times when it was torture. 

I was misunderstood. I was afraid. I was lost.

Being myself required me to walk into the fire. Into places that were uncomfortable & unknown. 

There were many logical reasons to compromise & fit into someone else’s vision of success. 

But I was willing to LOSE in many ways - sometimes for years - so I could ultimately WIN at being myself. 

The ‘real me’ eventually intersected with opportunities that have led to a beautiful place. A place where I am able to share my heart through inspiring films & speeches to audiences across the country. 

But none of that would have happened if I had accepted the typical career, the quick payout, or the simple answers. 

I’m grateful to be me. Even more, I am grateful I chose to stay true to my own process & my own version of success, even when it felt like failure.

It takes time, but eventually the world catches up with you.

The Magic You Are Carrying

The director of the new Aquaman movie watched my 19-minute video about his film.

He tweeted about it. And it stirred up a whirlwind of inspiration.

click to view the tweet

I feel a little insecure every time I post one of these videos. Showing this kind of emotion about superhero stories puts me in a vulnerable position. There are always people on the internet who make fun of me.

But, today, I’m reading hundreds & hundreds of messages from people who were helped by the video. It showed them a new way to be a hero to others. They feel more empowered to make the world a better, more loving place.

My life continues to be filled with wonders. I don’t plan these moments - they are always beyond me. Most of them happen because I’m willing to show my heart and risk looking silly.

Sometimes, I create things and nothing happens. Sometimes, they start a beautiful whirlwind. Either way, today I feel encouraged to continue sharing my authentic self.

And I’m reminded of the magic you are carrying within you. Maybe you’re holding back because you think the world won’t understand. Perhaps you think people will show anger or hatred. And perhaps they will.

But I know for certain that there is something in YOU that the world needs. Please share it with us.

Here’s my video about the Aquaman movie:

Feel the fear. Don’t let it stop you.

My son Judah has a blood test today. He’s nervous about it.

He asked me, “Will I stop being afraid when I get older?”

I said, “You never really outgrow fear. But, if you face it with people who love you, you get stronger inside. You feel the fear, but you don’t let it stop you. That’s how you become a warrior.”

He replied, “Do you think I’m doing that right now?”

“You are doing this every day, my son,” I said. 

EVERY DAY.

On being found

At my speaking engagement in Phoenix today, I chatted with a 59-year-old man who is meeting his birth mother tomorrow.

When he learned that he would get to meet her, he smiled so big with his eyes filled with tears.

He said, “They found me.”

Mentors Matter

In 2004, I was profiled in eMedia magazine. The article began like this:

“As they grow up, most sons want their dads to get out of the way. Then, there’s Brett Culp. He admits that his business thrived once his dad got involved. It was an involvement Culp says he both needed and welcomed.”

The best thing that happened in my career was having my Dad work with me for over a decade.

So much of my work is built on the insights, attitudes, and values he showed me.

I am grateful every day.

If you’ve had a mentor that has helped you succeed, take a moment to say THANK YOU.

Powerless with Irma

Along with 7 million others in Florida, Hurricane Irma knocked out the power in our home.

The assessments this morning showed that it would take up to 6 days to restore all the electricity in Tampa.  So, we decided to move to my parents house a few miles away, where they still had power.  We spent today packing up to be away for several days. Clothes, food, everything we would need.

Tonight, my family was sitting in our fully-packed car as I locked the front door.

And the power came back on.

Have you ever felt extremely grateful & extremely frustrated at the same time? It's a strange whirlwind of emotion.

The last week has taken me deeper into the meaning of being "powerless". For me, Irma has been a lesson in surrender.  I try to plan wisely & act with passion, but I can't control a hurricane, the utility company, a potential client, or my teenager.

But I can choose to bring my heart to every moment & stay open to the unknown.

Things never go quite the way we expect. But I believe there is beauty everywhere.

Stop Attempting to be the General Manager of the Universe

On today's flight, the passenger next to me got really upset with a woman who didn't end her phone call after the cabin door was closed. The frustration escalated as the passenger's demands for her to end the call were completely ignored. The passenger loudly repeated the rules about turning phones to airplane mode, with no effect. And this cellular rule-breaker was slowly driving her insane.

After a few minutes of this, a flight attendant casually wandered by and asked the woman to stop her call. She immediately hung up. And we flew to Los Angeles.

This experience reminded me to stop attempting to be the general manager of the universe.

Some of my greatest emotional struggles have been with problems that were not within my power to fix. I've wasted lots of energy on those challenges, and I don't want to keep doing that.

The next 10 days are going to be a whirlwind for me. So many wonderful things are happening right now, and I am committed to contributing my whole heart to these moments. But, I also want to trust that a power bigger than me is going before me, guiding the journey, and taking care of the stuff I can't handle alone. That thought removes the emotional weight of trying to fix everything, leaving me free to be joyful, relaxed, and confident.

So, I'm happy that women kept talking on her phone, even though it was kinda annoying. She reminded me to do my work in the world, and then let go of the rest.

You are Not a Statistic

With 2:38 left in the 4th quarter, I knew the New England Patriots would win Super Bowl 51. I'm not a big football fan, but something inside me knew it. Maybe you knew it too.

But the computer at ESPN didn’t know it yet. Based purely on the numbers, the Atlanta Falcons were still overwhelmingly poised for victory, with a 95.3% chance of winning. But I was so confident the computer was wrong with 2:38 left that I took this screenshot & started writing this post.

Statistics are important. They provide vital data for making many decisions. But they are often bad predictors of the human spirit. They easily miscalculate determination, heart, & willpower.

Perhaps you’ve heard statistics about your life from a parent, friend, teacher, or boss. Maybe those percentages are controlling your story.

Here’s the good news… YOU are NOT a statistic. There’s stuff in you that my son’s fancy scientific calculator can never accurately analyze. There is a truth about you that cannot be input into the formula ESPN’s computer uses to predict winners & losers.

So, keep fighting. Because YOU are MORE.

Beauty in Unexpected Places

After yesterday's speaking engagement, someone I'd never met rushed straight over to tell me a story.

Two years ago, he & his wife were deciding if they were ready to be foster parents. They happen to watch my film Legends of the Knight on Netflix, and it inspired them to take the leap. They ultimately adopted the kids they welcomed into their home.

I never imagined the film impacting a family this way. It was a reminder that when you choose to express hope & kindness it spreads beauty into unexpected places.

Dear friends, keep shining!

Anything is Possible

After 71 years of failing to reach the World Series, last night the Chicago Cubs forced Game 7 with a Grand Slam.

A few days ago, many people thought the series was over. Months ago, most people would NOT have imagined the Cubs in Game 7.

Will they win the World Series for the first time in 108 years? No one knows. But for me, the joy is in the idea that it COULD happen. This improbable possibility fills me with such hope for me, for you, and for the world.

If this opportunity can exist for baseball players in Chicago, just imagine what might happen in YOUR LIFE today, tomorrow, or in the days ahead!

Anything is possible. There is always hope.

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UPDATE:  They won.  Congrats to the Chicago Cubs & their legions of fans who have waited & believed.