I am a professional reminder-er and permission granter who moonlights as an artist, author, and speaker. I enjoy Star Wars, soft t-shirts, and brand new tubes of paint. My wife Kim and I homeschool our three weird kids and live in Wisconsin, where we eat way too many cheese curds.
Greetings from Sheboygan, where we just announced the opportunity to experience Wondernite from your living room! I mean, nothing beats being there in person, but tickets are sold out, and with it being the official debut of The Penguin Who Flew, we decided to hire a professional livestreaming company to bring my presentation to more people. Virtual tickets are now available!
This talk of Wondernite inspires a question: How delightable are you?
When it comes to delightability, kids are king.
The next time you’re around children, pay close attention to them. Notice how delighted they are to find a penny on the ground (even more so when they get to throw it into a fountain). Observe how excited they become when they get to push the elevator button. It won’t take long, but after some serious study, you’ll start to smile at the little things kids get excited about. Kids are thrilled by lightning bugs, bubble baths, and the intricacy of a snowflake. They’re turned on by helium balloons, bedtime stories, and cereal box prizes. It is undeniable that kids make a big deal out of little things; as far as I can tell, they seem to be having a pretty good time.
Adults, however, are a different story.
As we grow up, Adultitis sets in. We walk around with a “been there, done that, got-the-t-shirt” attitude. We’ve seen it all (or so we think), so it takes more and more to impress us. And that is a dangerous and expensive road to be on.
Eventually, complacency and cynicism set in, and that’s the kiss of death. Not only to a passionate life, but a successful one as well. The fact is that people who are delightable are way better off than those who aren’t.
People who are delightable have better relationships.
If you’re not delightable, good luck finding friends. Who wants to be in the company of a know-it-all who is impossible to impress and is always looking past you for the next big thing? On the other hand, people who are delightable are more fun to be around. They ask great questions. They respond to your stories enthusiastically. And they have a sense of anticipation about them that just makes life feel more exciting when you’re together. Who would you rather be?
People who are delightable are more successful.
The more delightable you are, the more receptive you are to the little things that can make a big difference. Anything can be interesting, so you live life with eyes wide open. You’re more able to see opportunities that others miss and notice connections that can help you solve your most pressing problems. And the ability to celebrate tiny successes keeps you fired up so you don’t burn out on the path to your big goal.
People who are delightable enjoy life more.
Kids go crazy for Cracker Jack prizes. Guess what? Life is FILLED with Cracker Jack prizes; those little treasures hidden just below our hurried consciousness. The smell of a newborn baby. The watercolor sunset of a summer day. The feeling of walking barefoot on a beach. The sound of rain on the rooftop — on a day you get to sleep in. It’s the stuff we miss when we’re racing through life like a chicken with its head cut off. Life really is all about the journey. And the journey is made richer when you slow down enough to notice and appreciate the Cracker Jack prizes along the way. To become awakened to and get caught up in the mundane details and hidden surprises that often get lost in the ebb and flow of our busy days is among the greatest blessings life has to offer.
If life seems to have lost its magic, take a cue from kids and practice becoming more delightable. With a potential new discovery just around the corner, your life will surely become more exciting, fulfilling, and fun.
🤔 I wonder...if you could describe this newsletter in one sentence, what would it be? (Not just this issue, the whole thing.) I know, I asked this last week (and thank you to those who responded), but I'm eager for as much feedback as possible. A bit of a reinvention is afoot, and I'd LOVE to know why you read it and how you'd describe it to someone else. Thanks!
Stay young and stay fun,
P.S.
The one-day Wondernite auction doesn't open for a few weeks, but you can get a sneak peek at some of the exclusive goodies that are on offer. (We'll be adding new things in the days to come!)
Virtual Wondernite 🌙
You can get a ticket to watch the livestream of Jason's Wondernite presentation on September 12th, featuring the first reading of his children's book The Penguin Who Flew, and the stories behind seven new paintings inspired by the book! (A replay will be available to ticket holders who can't attend live.)
On a mission to help people break free from Adultitis to build better lives, businesses, and teams.
I am a professional reminder-er and permission granter who moonlights as an artist, author, and speaker. I enjoy Star Wars, soft t-shirts, and brand new tubes of paint. My wife Kim and I homeschool our three weird kids and live in Wisconsin, where we eat way too many cheese curds.
View this online • Get this from a friend? Subscribe here! 2025 Issue #37 🍁 Happy Sunday, Reader! Greetings from Sheboygan, where we are exhausted after a successful Wonder Weekend! Thanks to everyone who attended Wondernite, watched the livestream, purchased The Penguin Who Flew, and participated in the auction. 🙏 You're playing a part in making dreams come true! Yesterday, we held what may be the last Wonder & Whimsy Society Family Reunion in our backyard. I've learned to never say never,...
View this online • Get this from a friend? Subscribe here! 2025 Issue #36 🎈 Happy Sunday, Reader! Greetings from Sheboygan, where we are days away from a sold-out Wondernite and the launch of my first children's book, The Penguin Who Flew! The upcoming Wondernite auction will be filled with unique items. (The one-day auction is open to everyone, but you can also buy a virtual ticket to watch the livestream of my presentation.) Among the items available are two original paintings I did while...
View this online • Get this from a friend? Subscribe here! 2025 Issue #34 🤪 Happy Sunday, Reader! Greetings from Sheboygan, where I am putting the finishing touches on the talk I'll be delivering at Wondernite, which is officially sold out and now less than three weeks away! Facebook showed me the picture above from 2016 as a "memory," and I was reminded of something I wrote about a year before it was taken. Back then, we had a seven, a four, and a two-year-old under our roof. We've held fast...
