Photo: IG @Eric_Urquhart

I realize that not every event is relevant to everyone — or so people think. That was a trick statement. Call me a geek, but I genuinely enjoy learning about that which I know not. For example, just last week I attended an architectural event because it was a public forum and I could. To my surprise, I found that I had thoughtful opinions to contribute. I didn’t make the natural connection that to live and work in the areas they were speaking of meant I was exactly the type of person who should attend. I provided a unique opinion that shifted perspectives and in turn reality. This scenario could be said for anyone. I give this example, because too often we find ourselves in one of two places: overwhelmed or underwhelmed.

The overwhelmed citizen is a person who sees every ‘event invite’ and has to strategically plan their calendar to match genuine intrigue with personal interests. The underwhelmed person finds themselves looking for the event that speaks to them and comes up short or seeks nothing out at all. So how does this happen and more importantly how do we solve this Dallas dilemma?  The simple definition of ignorance is a lack of knowledge. I know ignorance is a strong word, but go with me here. In my short decade of networking experience, if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: knowledge is power. Specifically, resources are powerful and luckily abundant in Dallas. So maybe you don’t have the next big app idea, but perhaps the next person you meet will. Wouldn’t it be neat to know where to point them to get it to market? This is one point detailing the generalized fact: the more you know the more good you can do in the world.

One of my favorite quotes from Jane Austin is, “it isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” Or as I like to say, “don’t talk about it, be about it”. Need a little guided inspiration? Here are a few upcoming events to attend:

Think First – Equity Crowd Funding, June 25th

Do you or a friend ever watch Shark Tank and think, “I would totally give a little equity to get my business off the ground!”, then this event is where you want to be. Thinkcrowdfund.com, in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, CrowdPay, NextSeed, Lendoor, MassVenture, TruCrowd.com and Comerica Bank, will host its upcoming equity crowdfunding town hall in Arlington, Texas on June 30, 2015. Learn more. 

Ignite DFW at the Texas Theatre – July 21st

Enlighten us, but make it quick. Join us (as I moderate) a night of quick 5 minute speeches meant get to you thinking. To be held at the historic and awesome venue the Texas Theatre! A world wide series, this is only the second time Ignite will hit Dallas. Speakers talk about anything and everything that is thoughtful or mindfully-enticing. Interested in speaking? Email me: [email protected]. Learn more.

Back to School Festival – For Oak Cliff, August 15th

Partnering with numerous organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Earth Day Texas, the people have taken it into their own hands to start these kids off the right way!  If you really truly want to make a difference in our community, it will take not only educating yourself, but also educating those to come. The #4OakCliff Back to School Festival is a community-wide extravaganza benefiting Oak Cliff in celebration of the community, arts, health, and education. Learn more.