“How are you? No seriously, how are you?” It was brought to my attention from a friend that this daily conversation starter that we overlook is also one of the most powerful things you can ask another human. How often do we have a conversation with our friends, family, loved ones and we don’t actually talk about something with substance? So many times our words are filled with garbage. We’re talking about that girl we hate or that episode of some dumb reality television premiere last night. But why? Why do we waste our words on topics and subjects that have no actual relevance to our lives? That show will probably be a fad and that girl will more than likely be irrelevant in a week.

What we should be doing is building relationships, understanding each other and ourselves, learning and growing. We should be having conversations about our trials and triumphs, our hardships and happiness. It’s conversations like these that you’ll remember in ten years when you truly opened up to someone and let them see the raw side of you.

My late friend, George Orley, once said, “Go out and be the best person you can be. Life is far too short for the BS. Get past it and make real friends. Have real conversations with real people. Talk to anyone and everyone. Trust them. Be true and people will be true to you.” George wasn’t just any normal friend; George was a real friend. It’s ironic the way life works sometimes. I know dozens of people with little ambitions and cruel intentions, yet they may outlive us all. Nonetheless, someone like George, someone who understood life and our purpose, his life got cut short.

Life is so priceless and spontaneous. We never know what tomorrow will bring therefore we have to step stressing on the future and live in the present. Instead of wasting time talking about others lets talk about us. We are a generation that can shatter the stigma. Generations before us took their gender roles and stuck to it. They were taught to not complain about anything because life is precious and you’re lucky to have food on your plate. However, there is a difference between discussing our feelings and complaining. This generation, the Millennials, have opinions and are not afraid to voice them. We are considered this narcissistic generation that depends on technology but I take that as a compliment. We are the generation that understands ourselves. We are the generation that will shatter the stigma one conversation at a time.

Let’s make it a point to live like George.  Shatter the stigma by talking about what's actually going on in our lives.  Have conversations that make you think and open your mind, rather than frivolous small talk.  In the words of George, "Have real conversations with real people."  

Learn more at http://www.mendthemind.ca or https://www.afsp.org .