10 Things I Learned from Bryce Hasenauer

About three months ago I wound up stuck in a van next to this guy for an eight hour drive to Colorado. Little did I know that I was sitting next to someone who was going to be possibly one of the biggest influences in my life during my college career.

Anyway, to avoid getting sappy or something, this is my friend Bryce Hasenauer and he's pretty neat. Today he peaced out to head back to his hometown to pursue his next big adventure now that he's officially graduated.

The Adventures of Bryce and Hannah Begin!
REACH 2013

My philosophy about pretty neat people is that when I meet one and learn from them I naturally want to share that pretty neatness with other people. So, without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Mom and my little sister Carol, I present you with "10 Things I Learned from Bryce Hasenauer."


1. Dream big, dream constantly

This kid has to be the biggest dreamer I've met since my Dad. It doesn't matter if it's realistic or not, just dream. All the time. I thought I was a dreamer but after meeting Bryce and hanging out with him I find myself willing to dream about anything, anytime. The biggest part of this is that Bryce pointed out how many obstacles people make for themselves that are completely made up. Suspend your little "what if's" and you can dream so much more.

2. Look at the best in people

I'm a judger. Have been for years - I see people and automatically find myself dissecting them into things I like and don't like. Here's what I learned about Bryce - surround yourself with people who don't look for the negative in people, and don't tell others the negative things you think you see in people. There is so much potential and awesome in everyone - focus on that, don't waste time or a possible friendship by thinking someone sucks. They probably aren't that bad and are actually pretty neat.

3. Be kind

This is sort of a summation of #2 and #4. Bryce genuinely cares about people and it's hard to hang out with someone who is so nice to everyone and not get that nicey-nice crap rubbed off onto you. Observing this has made me hyper-aware of my interactions with people and how even simple interactions can show someone kindness.

4. Help anyone

I noticed this way back in October on REACH retreat (the place we went on our eight hour ride to) when I saw Bryce cleaning a bathroom. If you watch him, he is constantly helping people - it's so subtle you wouldn't think twice about it. Whether it's physical labor (cleaning a bathroom, hanging Christmas lights, whatever) or through his words (also one of the most encouraging people you'll probably ever meet). Constantly be willing to build people up by helping them -  in word or deed.

5. Have fun

In the spirit of #5 - I got the coolest Christmas present
ever from Bryce. I've been playing Arrow alone in my
house for the last hour.

Work hard, play hard. Be able to have fun like a little kid, smile constantly and enjoy doing life, because it is a fun thing. This is also neat to watch in Bryce when he's in a stressful situation. For example, one time we were hanging up some Christmas lights and the lady didn't really know what she wanted, the lights didn't go where we wanted, and it was freezing cold. Bryce just keeps it light - why get upset about something silly, even if it's frustrating - dwell in the fun of life.

6. Let who you are be how you act and you will naturally shine

I catch myself doing the opposite of this sometimes - getting a little caught up in acting how I think others are perceiving me/want me to be. Thinking that my natural talents and personality are flawed and unwanted and not worth much. I've learned a lot about this already and have worked really hard to be consistently, honestly me from situation to situation and spending time with Bryce was like a breath of fresh air, because he is Bryce all the time. He doesn't hold back his personality and to watch the way people are drawn to him because of that has been so awesome to witness.

7. Take risks

This goes along with dreaming. Dream big and don't be afraid of risks. Most "risks" are just stupid obstacles you've created in your mind, anyway. Think of them like an adventure.

8. Embrace and learn from failure

Going hand-in-hand with #7 - so you take a risk and it doesn't work out the way you wanted. So what? Embrace it, learn from it, value the experience. It's only a failure if you give up and don't learn anything from it.

9. Be willing to work hard

Bryce has a ridiculous work ethic. Everything I know about him has told me how hard work is a great thing and that he's done a lot of it. Dreaming is great, but the next step is doing something about those dreams and I've seen Bryce put this into action since day one of our eight-hour bus ride. Be willing to dream big and be willing to work hard to get there. Expect and thrive on hard work and doing work well.

10. Two is better than one

Think tanks. You might think you have some great ideas and you probably do, but being willing to share your ideas, hear others, and bounce ideas and critiques and feedback back and forth can take a dream or an idea and shed so much light on it. Don't spend your life trying to fly solo, involve others.


BONUS LEARNED THING!

11. Learn everything from everyone

Bryce is a talker but also a listener. When he talks to someone about something he doesn't know about, or even if he does, it is literally like watching a sponge soak up everything that person says. The kid thrives on learning. This has made me value what people say and made me so much more interested in learning from others, reading books, watching TedTalks, whatever to learn more just for the sake of learning new things.

To enjoy one of our most recently learned things you can watch this TedTalk and then go run down a deer. Barefoot. It's an Automatic Win, 100% of the time. :)