One Brave Night
When I watched The Iron Lady, I was inspired by a quote from Margaret Thatcher…
”Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny.”
I’ve had many thoughts about mental health in the past few years. I’ve shared many words with those in my life about the importance of mental health in the past year (including my post yesterday, mental health is having a moment). And everyone of you has agreed with me. Well, now it’s time for us to take some action.
One Brave Night is an initiative led by CAMH (Canada’s leading mental health organization, that I joined the board for last year) to raise awareness for mental health. Participants take on a challenge and look for support (of all kinds) in the spirit of ending the stigma associated with mental health and learning to be comfortable talking about what is becoming one of society’s most pressing issues.
My challenge to you is simple.
1. On Friday, April 6th (next week), take 10 minutes in your day and meditate. You are making time for your own mental wellness. Here is more about what I’ve learned about meditation along my journey and a few resources that helped me get started.
2. Today (yes, today), take 30 seconds to make a donation, be it $20 or $200, to this campaign (click here). Yes, you are supporting a cause but more importantly, the act of giving is a step to start to expand your view of self beyond one person (very important). I will also be matching your donation 1:1, as my commitment.
3. Use your words and share this message with 3 people close to you. It takes courage (that you have) to spread awareness about something you believe to be important and true. And actually do it.
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Now a warning, if you are known person in my life, I am going to be fearless in encouraging you to take my challenge…
Thank you for taking action on behalf of yourself and for the benefit of others,
Kunal
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Kunal Gupta is the Founder & CEO of Polar, a technology platform provider whose mission is to enable a business model for premium content. Polar’s partners include major global publishers and the business is headquartered in Toronto with offices in New York, London and Sydney.
Kunal is passionate about finding calm and focus in a modern era. Kunal is on the foundation board for CAMH, Canada’s leading mental health hospital and research organization. He writes regularly on the topics of leadership, mindfulness and technology culture on his blog at findfocus.today.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn.