A Nicer Mentality

I’d just gotten a snack with my grandmother in Georgetown from our favorite boulangerie, and I thought I would walk around for a bit afterward.

I passed a café and saw a man sitting with his computer, so I stopped by to say hello.

He introduced himself as Franji, and he explained to me that he was just getting some work done for his work in digital marketing.

Franji was in town from LA, and he thought the café would be a good spot to hang out and enjoy some time in DC.

He was actually from DC, and when he got an audition for work in LA after high school, he decided to take the leap of faith and go try it.

Fortunately, Franji got the job, and so his career started in performing arts of all kinds, such as acting and dancing.

He’s even been a part of the Cirque du Soleil, which I thought was really cool.

In his free time, though, Franji likes to go skateboarding, just to get outside for a while.

It’s a way for him to clear his head and be present in the moment, which we agreed is something everyone needs once in a while. 

Meet Franji

What brings him joy?

His source of joy was something that he only realized as he grew up, and it was the act of simply appreciating a simpler and kinder mentality.

As people grow up, he explained, they tend to get very serious or judgemental about things, but Franji likes it when he’s able to just appreciate that simpler perspective.

For instance, he told me that he’s coached martial arts for kids for a while now, and they are a perfect example of that mentality where there’s no need for seriousness or critique.

As their coach, he has to just have fun and not be too worried or strict, and it makes for genuine smiles instead of forced ones.

This perspective is so easily lost when we get caught up in work and other stressful things, so I was grateful that Franji reminded me of the important truth: things don't have to be so serious all the time!