Entre ellas, INSPIRED, me gusta vivir inspirada... la vida me inspira, en un día entero hay momentos, miradas, lugares, olores, fotos, comidas, gente, risas, flores, colores... que me llenan de energía y me inspiran.
Otras dos: CREATIVELY & FEARLESSLY, le agregaría una más, JUGAR. Convencida de que para crear hay que animarse a jugar desde el alma y cuando uno juega no tiene miedo. Todo lo contrario.
Pensé: Si me encuentro hoy con una amiga que me pregunta. ¿Cómo estas? Le contestaría: INSPIRADA. Y con muchas ganas de contagiar mi inspiración.
Les dejo la carta para que la pispeen.
“WHEN WE ARE OPEN AND GIVING OF OUR LIGHT, WE CREATE AN ENDLESS REFLECTION THAT OUTLIVES OUR HUMAN EXISTENCE.”
ENDLESS REFLECTION
ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I WAS INSPIRED TO PEN THE QUOTE ABOVE AFTER HAVING DINNER WITH A FRIEND WHO ASKED ME, WITH A TONE OF CONCERN, “HOW ARE YOU?” I ANSWERED, “INSPIRED, MORE SO THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN MY LIFE. I BELIEVE WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, CREATING A RIPPLE.” MY FRIEND RESPONDED, WITH A LOOK OF CONFUSION AND DOUBT, “SELLING FURNITURE?” SHAKING MY HEAD I REPLIED, “IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FURNITURE.” I WENT ON TO EXPLAIN, “BY CHASING OUR HOPES AND DREAMS, WE INSPIRE OTHERS TO CHASE THEIRS. BY BEING CREATIVELY COURAGEOUS AND FEARLESSLY FIGHTING FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN, WE INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.” I CONTINUED, “BY BEING OPEN AND GIVING OF OUR LIGHT, WE LIFT THE SPIRITS OF OTHERS, WHO THEN REFLECT THAT LIGHT TO ANOTHER, AND ANOTHER. IT’S A REFLECTION THAT CAN BE ENDLESS, AND CONTINUE LONG AFTER WE LEAVE THIS PLANET, AND BY DOING SO, THEN MAYBE WE NEVER LEFT.” I ENDED, “IT’S ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN JUST SELLING FURNITURE.”
That dinner conversation became a springboard for discussions throughout our entire organization. We were inspired to find a more focused and purposeful path for ourselves. We recognized that we were not just a company, that this was our cause, an authentic expression of who we are and what we believe in. We said, this is more than a brand, it’s a reflection of our beliefs, and our beliefs would shape our brand. We confirmed that this was not just about profits, it was about purpose, and profits would follow purpose. We decided to eliminate the marketing department in favor of having a Truth Group, as marketing can at times be manipulative. We said to ourselves, if we are doing things we’re truly passionate about, we don’t have to worry about marketing campaigns. We can tell the truth, and others who believe what we believe might also be infected with our passion. We found ourselves becoming even more clear and purposeful about what we are doing and whom we are doing it with. Which leads me to the people I want to thank for being open and giving of their light – our people and partners around the world who have contributed their creativity and passion towards bringing this season’s collection to life, some of whom are highlighted throughout the pages of our six Source Books: RH Interiors, RH Outdoor & Garden, RH Baby & Child, RH Small Spaces, and our two new introductions this Spring, RH Tableware and RH Objects of Curiosity.
Looking back, that simple question over dinner led to an evolution of changes, including the redrafting of our vision statement. It now reads, “To create an endless reflection of hope, inspiration and love that will ignite the human spirit and change the world.”
A little bit of light can go a long way.
Carpe Diem,
GARY FRIEDMAN
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, CREATOR AND CURATOR
