🔥 OK, Tariffic: In Community #70

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“I only believe in beautiful opportunity and that’s it. I don’t have any control over what actually happens except for that I have full control over my will for myself, my intention, and why I’m there.” – SZA

Last week, as I wrote about how the Muslim Met Gala inspired my thinking, I laid out the idea of consumption vs. contribution.

This week, consumption was a topic I heard about at seemingly every turn. As “tariff” has quickly become a household term across the country, consumer sentiment has fallen.

It’s particularly relevant, because although tariffs disproportionately impact the historically excluded among us, the fall in sentiment has been consistent across income and education levels, geography, age, and even political leanings. We’re all seeing a similar picture – and we’re feeling the heightened stress as a result.

Why does this matter? And what does SZA have to do with any of this?

The singer-songwriter’s belief in beautiful opportunity comes into play at a moment like this. That belief is about perception.

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👉🏽 When our perception shifts, reality shifts with it.

When we expect an outcome, we act and behave according to the behavior we associate with that outcome. Put simply, if we expect prices to rise, we hold back on spending and other planned commitments.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting that we all ignore what’s happening in the landscape around us.

What I’m suggesting is that we remain focused on reality vs. perception, along with what we can influence. There might be a beautiful opportunity within this. Find that opportunity. Ask yourself:

👉🏽 What is my will for myself, and where can I focus my energy?

👉🏽 What is my intention in this moment and the next moment?

👉🏽 Why am I here, putting effort into the work I’m doing every day?

Use the opportunity that uncertainty brings to double down on what’s certain – what you can control, including your perception and your actions.

Consider your community. Where can you contribute positively? How can you nurture and strengthen your relationships? Who can you reach out to with an open hand to support, with an abundance mindset?

That hand is something we can all benefit from when we fall. And it’s a starting point when we rise together.

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In community,

Fahad