A Perfectly Imperfect Union: Reflecting on America 250 with Raquel Borras
The Whole Again Podcast: Mindfulness and Resilience through Kinstugi Wisdom airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Pause Breathe Reflect Microdose Meditations, Growth Mindset and Mindfulness Tips, to help us transform our scars into healing and resilience.
And between May and October, I'm sharing a new series I'm calling: A Perfectly Imperfect Union. It's about connecting with every day folks as they reflect on America at 250. Conversations will air every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
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What happens when a generation that never asked for social media, smartphones, or AI has to build a life inside all three?
Raquel Borras has been listening to the answer, one Gen Z voice at a time.
And she comes to this conversation with receipts. Last summer, Raquel loaded up a Cruise America RV with two filmmakers and drove through 13 states, sitting down with roughly 30 young people to hear what life actually feels like from the inside of Generation Z.
She also hosts two podcasts dedicated entirely to youth voices.
In this episode of A Perfectly Imperfect Union, Raquel shares what she is hearing from young people across the country. And when Raquel asked Gen Z-ers whether they wished they had grown up without phones and social media, the majority said yes.
She also carries a wish for America that cuts straight to the root of so much of what divides us: contentment. The kind that makes you stop trying to tear someone else down because you already feel like enough. She traces it back to a simple idea: when people feel worthy, they treat others well. And that, she says, is a ripple effect worth betting on.
You can connect with Raquel via LinkedIn. Here's the link.
Before you go, Raquel has a question for the next neighbor in this series:
What gives you a really good belly laugh?
Drop your answer in the comments and share this episode with someone you love.
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With Whole Again: Mindfulness and Resilience through Kintsugi Wisdom, listeners explore mindfulness and resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and
<p> Hey there. It's Michael. Welcome to Whole Again, the show that's here in support of you creating a meaningful life and the person you're becoming. And I'm excited to share a new series with you that will air this summer as America turns 250 years old, which is still pretty young relative to many other countries across this big blue marble that we all share.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The series is called A Perfectly Imperfect Union. In 2022, I rode my bike across America from Astoria, Oregon to the Lincoln Memorial. My wife drove our RV, and she had two co-pilots, Jester and Hope, two springer spaniels And when we did it, America was coming out of the pandemic and we were hurting.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hurting from things that had happened prior to the pandemic, of course, going through what we all went through. And at that time, and this is something I still believe today, is that we were entering an inflection point. An inflection point for us to hopefully pause, breathe, and reflect on who we wish to become as individuals, as communities, and as a country.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As I pedaled across America, I wanted to share America's beauty with others, her natural beauty and the beauty of her people. And I also wanted to share where we were hurting As America turns 250, I believe Kintsugi, which is something we use as a metaphor here at Whole Again, is a perfect metaphor for where we are as a country.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There's so much beauty to celebrate, and we can also acknowledge that parts of us feel broken or are broken, but we can find a way to come back together, just like Kintsugi teaches us. And when we do, we don't try to erase or cover up where we have scars or blemishes. We highlight them in gold, and we celebrate them as symbols of our strength and resilience.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Kintsugi is called the golden repair, and in essence, we can see beauty in something that's perfectly imperfect. During this series, I plan to speak to at least two people in each state and the District of Columbia. So 102 conversations with real folk, as I like to say. We're going to let the celebrities and the big influencers have their day somewhere else.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But here, I want to reach out and talk to real people and listen to their reflections as they think about America turning 250 years old. And my hope is, is that you'll tune in to at least one, if not all 102. Because my theory going into this is that you'll hear different perspectives. Some may be aligned with yours.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Others may not. But my hope is that you hear the goodness in your fellow citizens and realize, as Maya Angelou shared with us, we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. I've had the privilege of traveling all over the world and all over this country.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And this belief is something that I hold deep inside of me. So yes, I do believe that we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. So if you're ready to get to know one of your fellow neighbors, take a healthy breath in and a slow releasing breath out and get to know Raquel Borras.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Raquel, great to see you. Thanks for joining me on A Perfectly Imperfect Union. Good to see you. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Thank you for having me. This is so fun already. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I know. It's, it is so fun to, like, connect because up until this point, we did not know each other, and now we get to have a conversation. And of course, I found you, as I mentioned before we hit record, through LinkedIn, and I just</p>
<p></p>
<p>There was something about your profile that was like, "Ah, this person really speaks to me. I like her vibe. I like her energy." And then I got curious and dug a little bit deeper, and I discovered the work you're doing. I'm like, "Oh, I gotta reach out to Raquel and see if she wants to join me." So for those that haven't Done some sleuthing on LinkedIn to check you out.</p>
<p></p>
<p>That would </p>
<p></p>
<p>stop me. Can you, yeah, can you, um, introduce yourself, and where are you calling in from? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, my name is Raquel, and I am calling in from San Diego, California. Yes, America's finest city. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Absolutely. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, and I'll tell you a little bit about what I do. So I'm all about youth empowerment and amplifying youth voices, and I do it through mentorship as well as media.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have two podcasts: Rock the Boat, which is under 18, so I have, uh, youth come on as guests that are under 18, and then I have Rated Gen Z, and it's youth from 18 to 26 years old, so really focused on Generation Z. And I just completed a documentary. Well, it's, it's almost complete, but I filmed it last summer.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I traveled across 13 states across the US in an RV with two filmmakers, and we spoke to about 30 Gen Z-ers, just getting their perspective on life and just hearing more about what they're dealing with and their struggles and, uh, so I'm working on that. So yeah, I'm just, um... I just, I don't know. I just am excited about life and there's that.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, that is, that is something worth celebrating, and I will put the link in the show notes to the documentary so when, when it comes out, people can check it out. Yes. And I love the fact... We share this going across the country in an RV. We rented ours from Cruise America. Same as </p>
<p></p>
<p>me. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, so it was, it was really cool.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So when we were driving the roads and we saw another Cruise America RV, we're like, "Oh, yeah, they're like us." The </p>
<p></p>
<p>same. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. I... And really cool, though, is, um, I started following them on Instagram, on social media, and I would tag them, and their social media manager was like, "Oh my gosh, this is really cool what you're doing."</p>
<p></p>
<p>And I know that they do a contest, like, every week or something where they're like, "Oh, vote on your favorite picture with the RV," and we were one of the, uh, the, uh, yeah, the, one of the pictures. We didn't win, but I thought it was really cool that we were part of their social media while traveling. </p>
<p></p>
<p>That is cool.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I did not do that, and I would say if they took a look at our RV, we, we might've been in contention because we put a whole bunch of decals all over it. I'll send you a photo- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh </p>
<p></p>
<p>my God, yes please ... once we get done recording. It was, it was actually pretty cool. We got a lot of- Um, affirmation from people driving past us or where we parked in the RV park.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They're like, "Oh, that, that's a cool looking RV." So- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, that's such a great idea Yeah. We named our dog on there, too, Zelda. Oh, cool. Like, 'cause it started with Z Oh, that's awesome. 'Cause we were talking to Generation Z, so it needed to start with a Z. And one of the, one of the Gen Z-ers was like, "Name her Zelda."</p>
<p></p>
<p>So, like, we have this whole thing of, like, us saying goodbye to the dog when we ... 'Cause, you know, obviously we had everything on camera, so it was just kinda funny. That's so cool. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. Our, our ... We named our RV Maisie. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh, okay. Very cute. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So very, very cute. So this is a big country. You know this because you've now driven across it in, in different parts of it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>And not everyone's been to every state. So people obviously know California. They might know LA- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah ... San </p>
<p></p>
<p>Francisco, San Diego. So let's just focus in on your part of California. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Okay. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If someone's never been there, what's something cool or special about that part of Southern California? </p>
<p></p>
<p>You know what's actually really cool about San Diego?</p>
<p></p>
<p>And I just learned this. I thought it was all of California, but apparently it's concentrated in San Diego County. We have the largest ecosystem in the country, um, just within San Diego County 'cause of the desert- Wow ... the ocean, um, the mountains. So yeah, like, that I thought was really cool that, uh ... And also, San Diego, I will have to say, being that I've traveled a lot around the country, we really do have the perfect weather.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Like, I do strongly believe that you, you cannot get a better city with better weather. Like, sorry. I mean, someone can fight me on it, but </p>
<p></p>
<p>I will not, I will not fight you on this. This show is about amplifying voices- Yeah. ... not debating. And, and this point is not debatable- No ... because San Diego has the best weather.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. And I will say, for anyone out there who loves a good fish taco, San Diego has the best fish tacos in the country as well. At least my humble opinion. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. Um, you know what? I'm not a big ... I, I eat fish. I don't, I don't eat meat, so I'm a pescatarian. So funny enough, I don't really know where the best fish taco place is.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So do, do you know what, where it is? I can go. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, so the, the, the place that I like the best is ... I'm a fan of the San Diego Padres. So the San Diego Padres. Okay. At, at the ballpark there's a place that sells fish tacos there. Okay. And that becomes, like, a little bit of a staple for me when I do go to San Diego.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I check out a game, get a fish taco, wear my Tony Gwynn jersey. It's a whole thing. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Where are you- So that- Where do you live that you're a Padres fan? In ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, in, in New Jersey. And so my first, my ... This, this is really crazy, Raquel. My favorite team of all time- are the Toronto Blue Jays. So- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Okay ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>what, what American kid doesn't grow up rooting for America, like in American sport and rooting for a Canadian </p>
<p></p>
<p>team?</p>
<p></p>
<p>A Canadian </p>
<p></p>
<p>team. My second favorite team would be the Padres, because I grew up as a big Tony Gwynn fan, so. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, he was fantastic. Yes. He was very beloved by the city, still is. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Absolutely. Great, great humanitarian- Yes ... great player, and all, all that. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So let's say you're in San Diego, maybe you're outside, it's the summertime, there's a fire pit, you're with your friends- Mm-hmm</p>
<p></p>
<p>your family. You're bringing a bunch of gen- Gen Z-ers around, and they're like, "Hey, Raquel, what does America mean to you?" How do you respond to that? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, for me, you know, honestly, like I just love the diversity in this country. I really do. And the fact is my mom is from Mexico. Oh. And yeah, so she, she moved here to the States, uh, because of my dad when she was younger.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And, um, so I do have this affinity for being bicultural and bilingual, and especially in San Diego right here. And, you know- Absolutely ... but there is something about this country where, you know, I've traveled in other, in other countries, and there's something about the United States of America that there's this real sense of pride that, that I love, and this sense of, um- You know, just, I don't know, just traveling across the country, just also the diversity just in landscapes.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Like, I don't think you can find ... You find that in other countries either. There's something a- about just the, the landscape, the environment, the people. It's hard to explain. It's a feeling. I feel like when people come here, it's more of, like, how they feel. </p>
<p></p>
<p>It's a vibe. Yeah. It's a really vibe of, like, around, like, the energy of the, of Mother Earth, the people- Yeah</p>
<p></p>
<p>the whole thing. And this is the thing that really hit home for me, just how big this country is. Absolutely. You know? </p>
<p></p>
<p>It's like- Yeah ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>coming from New York, New Jersey, where everyone's sort of on top of one another- ... and you can drive four hours and hit multiple states, when we were out in Wyoming and Montana, we'd be there for days, you know, before we could actually get through it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It's- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>yeah, the co- the country has so much beauty, and again, I just love the fact that we shared, like, that experience and just- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>you know, chatting with, uh, different people and seeing different vistas and the whole shebang, so. And I love, I love the origin story, how your, like, your mom, you know, came up from Mexico- Yeah</p>
<p></p>
<p>met your dad, </p>
<p></p>
<p>and here we </p>
<p></p>
<p>are, right? And then </p>
<p></p>
<p>my dad's family ... Yeah, my, my grandfather came over through Ellis Island, but after World War I. Oh, wow. Yeah, so- Okay ... I, my dad's side is Russian, Romanian, Russian, Romanian Jew. Like, yeah, so they ... So my- Wow ... my grandfather came over, and my grandmother was born in, in the Bronx.</p>
<p></p>
<p>All right. Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Wow, like </p>
<p></p>
<p>that's a, that's a, that's a really cool, like, DNA profile. It's like fr- Hey, that's, </p>
<p></p>
<p>that's what the country's all about, huh? I guess it's funny 'cause I have light eyes, almost blue, and then, um, I'll speak Spanish fluently, and people are like, "Wait, you look Eastern European- ... but you're speaking Spanish fluently like it's your first language."</p>
<p></p>
<p>But yeah, so I love the kind of also tricking people. </p>
<p></p>
<p>That's awesome. That's awesome. So one question I've been asking people be- because a sort of current, a current topic is their attitude or their relationship, say, with AI, and obviously you've talked to a whole bunch of Gen Z-ers, and now they're- Yes</p>
<p></p>
<p>they're digital natives, and they're, now they're growing up- Yeah ... and they're trying to get into the workforce with this AI world. So how would you describe your attitude about AI? 'Cause you hear, you know, one camp is like, "It's gonna eat us and destroy us." Yeah. The other camp is, "It's going to liberate us and provide great," like, uh, the land of milk and honey.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So where, where do you end up, uh, on this AI thing, at least right now? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Right now, I wish it were just like a tool in the toolbox- Yeah. ... as opposed to now like taking over in so many ways. I mean, even my own son the other day was like, you know, "My job is probably gonna be taken over by AI." And I asked him, I said, "Do you have like a backup plan with like career-wise?"</p>
<p></p>
<p>'Cause he does cybersecurity, and that's what he went to school for. And I mean, right now cybersecurity is like hot, but that's something too that AI... So it's like, it's not until you're actually having to deal with it and your own kids are having to deal with it, then you really like have to think about where it's going.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And I will say that talking to a lot of the Gen Zers that I have, a lot of them really are concerned about it taking over their careers, and then what are they gonna do? So unfortunately, I think a lot of them are really fearful in that way. Um, and so that's tough. But at the same time, they also acknowledge that it's going to help, you know, cure certain diseases and the advancements and what it's gonna do for, for us, um, it, it like, and helping us in so many ways.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So I feel like there's this weird thing of it's gonna help us, but at the same time, there's gonna, there's a, it's gonna be very detrimental. Uh, I do see as well with Gen Z that, and there was actually a study or, or there a question done about, uh, this generation, about Gen Z and if they wish that they had, were born in a generation with no phones and social media and technology and AI, and they said, and the majority said yes.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So it just goes to show you that a lot of these young kids Are being just thrown into social media technology where they didn't ask for it. Nope. And so they're kinda like, "What is this? What's happening? Like what's-" I, </p>
<p></p>
<p>I don't, I don't think Gen X, I'm a Gen X-er. I, I don't think we asked for it either. Me too.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Like we were just- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>We were having, we were having a good time, I think, without it, and then every, now everybody's on it. Yeah. So it's really crazy. But my Gen Z daughters, I don't wanna speak for them, but I'm a- I'm about to. Yeah. I think they would sum up their attitude with AI in a very similar way to the, to the Gen Z-ers- Yeah</p>
<p></p>
<p>that you, um, you met. Uh, they, they've been impacted job-wise to a degree. Mm-hmm. Uh, they do see the potential benefits, but they do know, like for them and for their peers, it's having a pretty profound impact, and it's moving so quickly. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>It's not like other technologies that came, came to us over maybe a period of years or even decades.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This seem- seems to be happening so quickly that we don't necessarily have the, the runway to adjust appropriately, so it's gonna be a little bit of a choppy, choppy flight. So- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>a- another question I'd love for you to weigh in on. So in this country, we talk about our division and our separation. One of the reasons why I'm doing this is just to amplify voices like yours so people hear people like you and others and realize that we're not that far apart.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We're actually, you know, we're, we're... we actually have so much in, in common, more in common than we do, say, you know, unalike, if you will. Agreed. But when you think about, I use kintsugi as a metaphor for Whole Again, and I think it's a, a fitting metaphor too for our country. You know, when pottery breaks, we can come back together, and our scars or our blemishes can then be seen as symbols of our strength and resilience.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So if you could like repair one thing Maybe not perfectly, but in a meaningful way that could help us come together, what would it, what would it be? </p>
<p></p>
<p>For me, it would be, and I don't know what system necessarily, like specifically, but it would have to be something that has to do with our youth. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Hmm. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Um, so it could essentially be like the foster care system.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. You know, I have mentees that are in the foster care system. Um, you know, I work with a lot of youth mental health organizations, and I'm, I'm of the mindset that we need to be proactive. So anything that would have to deal with dealing with maybe mental health at a very young age with our youth. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I like that.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. Gotta go upstream. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. Desmond Tutu has a good quote I just love. I'll probably get it slightly off, but hopefully I can communicate the spirit. Yeah. Is that he said, "Sooner or later we have to stop pulling people out of the river and go upstream to find out why they're falling in the river in the first place."</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>You know, so we, we get to the end when, when there's an issue or a big significant event and we, you know, get all worked up Where I, what I hear you saying is like, "Go further upstream. Let's see if we can prevent it and, and do more- Yeah ... so we don't have these big events that, that pop up." So, um- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Exactly, yeah</p>
<p></p>
<p>I, I love that. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Mm-hmm. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, as America turns 250, it's a birthday party. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Woo. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So at a birthday party we make a wish, and we also, most people have cake. So the first part of the question for Kyle is what kind of cake are you serving for America's 250th birthday? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh, that's easy. Chocolate. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Chocolate. Chocolate cake, chocolate icing?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, but like that, like, really dark chocolate, like where it almost looks black. Yes. Yeah. And it's, like, super just, like, fluffy and moist and like- Oh, yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Right now I have a craving for a big glass of milk, you know, after you say that. Oh. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, really cold milk though. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Really cold, yeah, absolutely. It has to be super cold.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Absolutely. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Cold milk </p>
<p></p>
<p>and chocolate cake. I love it. Yeah. Then as we're blowing out the candles, what would you wish for? What, what would be your wish for America? </p>
<p></p>
<p>I mean, this is gonna be kind of, like, out there, but I feel like if everybody had a sense of contentment with, like, their lives and, like, being able to be content and, like, find gratitude in their lives, I feel like we'd be a much different country too.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I agree. You know, you're feeling, like, just good in our skin and not feeling- Yeah ... less than. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Exactly. </p>
<p></p>
<p>You know, 'cause there's, 'cause there's so much out there, people trying to sell us stuff, claiming that we're less than and we need their special whatever to be full- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Exactly ... you know? Yeah. And, and worthy.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. I feel like that. And, and when you feel that, you're not necessarily wanting to turn, uh, put someone else down or make someone else feel badly, or treat someone unfairly. Like, I feel like you're, you're coming from a good place, so you're gonna navigate, you know, the world and the life in, like, a way that's kind and respectful, and I feel like, you know, that's just a ripple effect.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Absolutely. And then, you know, taking it back to where we started, like, it's a good vibe, good energy, right? Yeah. And that, and that, that good energy, to your point- </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>creates a really cool ripple effect. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So the last person I talked to, one of your neighbors, but from all the way- All the way ... on the other side of the country.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They were a neighbor 'cause I did live in Virginia for 23 years. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Okay. That, that works. Yeah. So Susan in Delaware has two questions. Yeah. Speaking about abundance, I, I asked for one question, she gave me two. So two questions are what's your favorite flower, and do you have a favorite quote? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, my favorite flower is very easy, and it's right behind me.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Orchids. Oh. So I have an orchid back there, and then I have an orchid in front of me as well. Um, so orchids. That's crazy '</p>
<p></p>
<p>cause Susan grows orchids. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Really? Oh my gosh. Yeah. Susan's </p>
<p></p>
<p>really- </p>
<p></p>
<p>We have so many in our home. Like, we have ... My mom is really good- This is a lot ... with the green thumb. Yeah, and I am, I love, have loved orchids for so many years that I actually got married, and down the aisle instead of having a bouquet of flowers- Yeah</p>
<p></p>
<p>I had a long-stemmed orchid. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Wow. </p>
<p></p>
<p>That's so cool. So that's how, how much I love orchids. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I love it. Well, I'm gonna pass your answer on to her. I think she will really appreciate it- I love that ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>given </p>
<p></p>
<p>her love for orchids as well. Yeah. It's so funny. And what's your favorite quote? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Okay. So this is one of my favorites, and I'm not religious, but I just love it 'cause it just makes so much sense.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It's, "If you wanna make God laugh, tell Him your plans." </p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh, yes. '</p>
<p></p>
<p>Cause I'm, I'm that person that was ... I, I made God laugh a lot. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I, </p>
<p></p>
<p>I have heard that one, and I definitely appreciate that quote as well, so. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, you get to ask a question of the next person I speak with, which is tomorrow. Yes. I speak with John in Arkansas.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So what question would you have for John? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, it stems from just the laughing right now, and I feel like laughter just naturally brings so much joy. So my question is to, to him, what gives you a good old belly, belly laugh? Like, I wanna know- All </p>
<p></p>
<p>right ... </p>
<p></p>
<p>what would give him... Yeah, 'cause I, I have a couple, you know, answers for that myself that'll give me, like, a really good belly laugh where it's just so good.</p>
<p></p>
<p>That's good. I </p>
<p></p>
<p>like that. I will a- I will ask him that- Yeah ... and I will relay the answer to you once I hear his answer. Oh, I love that. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh, good. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So Raquel, thank you for joining me on Perfectly Imperfect Union. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Thank you. </p>
<p></p>
<p>And, uh, I really appreciate the energy and the ripple effect you're putting into the world, so thanks for being here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, I hope you enjoyed getting to know one of your fellow neighbors from California. And now with Delaware, California, we have checked the box. We have spoken to two amazing humans, Brian and now Raquel. And I love Raquel's wish for America, that sense of contentment. So many of us are chasing our happiness, believing that we're not enough, looking at life through a lens of scarcity, that we're never quite there.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And there's a whole bunch of people willing to sell us stuff to get us there. But that's on them. It's a scam because we can be content and have gratitude for life and be there and still look to, quote unquote, get better to make more of an impact. But we come from a place that we're already enough, that we don't need something to make us worthy because we're already there.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And that's a great place to start from. So I really appreciate Raquel's wish. Of course, I think we all know that if we really want to come together, it will take more than just wishing. It will take action. And maybe that action starts with a conversation, a conversation that allows us to be fully seen, heard, and appreciated, or I would say loved, one human to another, even if we don't see the world the same way.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I believe that 97% of people are good. There's a like-heartedness in that goodness. And if we lead with our heart, we can be open to different mindedness. That's how we can come together and form a more perfectly imperfect union. If today's conversation resonated with you, I hope you'll share it with someone you know.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And if either you or someone you know would like to join me for a conversation, please reach out. And until our next episode in our Perfectly Imperfect Union series, let's remember to celebrate our scars as golden symbols of our strength and resilience. Happy birthday, America. And don't forget to have fun storming the castle.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And if you wish to learn more about creating beautiful ripples and how to prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day, please visit my website, michaelobrienshift.com, and sign up for my newsletter called The Ripple Effect. And join us each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday here at Whole Again, and discover how you can heal, grow, and become more resilient, and celebrate our scars as golden symbols of strength and resilience.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Until then, remember, you can always come back to your breath. You've got this, and we've got you.</p>
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