My People

Hello Universe 251

One of my strongest beliefs is that when you put cool people in a room together with some food and drinks, something magical will eventually happen and people will make good memories. Last year, when I came back to University, I got the chance to test this belief out in a new country. I took a student job in which I manage the uni’s student community and their experience. One of the things I did was start a monthly party with just one agenda- for everyone to come hang out.

This party series (called “Bergfest”) went on to become quite well attended, and in a few editions I even took people out on a hike, on a boat ride, to a club, and so on. But the default experience was definitely hanging out in a room together with some food and drinks, making conversation. This month, I organized Bergfest 10, the tenth edition of this party, and it was quite a milestone, doing in a disciplined repeated way something in the real world, just like I do here on Hello Universe. So I celebrated by making it a small talent show event, where everyone could register to perform. People were shy, so we got only three registrations, but those three performances ended up being massive hits, the crowd stuck around for longer, we had more attendees than expected, and then a few more people even volunteered to perform unrehearsed, and finally the party turned into a karaoke session.

All of it was so joyful, so positive, that it even inspired me to read out a poem that I had written here on Hello Universe. It was actually my first time reading out a poem in front of such a large audience, and I definitely felt the jitters.

I am grateful that I get to do this in the service of others. I also get it to do for such an awesome community and with world-class coworkers who are supportive and who genuinely wish for my success. It is definitely the highlight of my career so far.

Here’s today’s poem, the same one I recited!

---

They're gentle as the morning dew.
They're always out to play.
They're fragrant as the flowers new.
Their truth is what they say.

They think about the world at large.
They seek the hidden clue.
They hang out at concerts and parks.
Delight is their pursuit.

They make hay when the sun does shine.
Their wisdom they impart
And when they stumble over the line,
they mend their broken heart.

They strive with noble ardour still
they trust and they commit.
They touch each spring, they scale each hill
they climb to the summit.

They charm the souls of all they meet
by simply being themselves.
They love this world, they make it sweet.
My people are the best!

---

That’s it! Thanks for reading edition 251 of Hello Universe. I’m curious to know, has there been a party you’ve been to which you remember fondly? Anything special you would recommend I try at my next party?

On the way out, here’s a classic track that I can’t get enough of:

That’s it for this week, see you next Tuesday!