Brinton Johns
After 17 years at Janus Capital, I'm taking a sabbatical. While at Janus, I served as an analyst, portfolio manager and team leader to an incredibly talented group of technology analysts. My biggest joy is to grow. My second biggest joy is to watch others grow and play some small part in that growth.
One thing I perhaps struggle with is being a bit indecisive. From choosing an ice-cream flavor to deciding on my college major, I have always gotten stuck when considering too many options for far too long/too much. So this blog truly resonates with me because it brings me a sense of peace and trust in myself in regards to my past and current paths of action. In fact, I have burned the ships of two activities this semester that I've always had in my schedule. I felt wrong/guilty about doing so at first, but this blog reassures me of the advantages and value that can come from cutting out options, as sometimes more freedom and clarity equates to new, more meaningful paths to focal points. AND sometimes, just having Chocolate and Vanilla on the menu allows me to focus on better options... like the toppings :)
Thanks Brinton!
- Amanda
I thought this post was fitting for a Sunday morning. And it reminded me of one of my favorite quotes...
"Let the water settle; you will see the moon and stars mirrored in your being." ~Rumi
For me, I always find the purest form of stillness out in nature.
- Amanda
Brinton, to answer the question you posed at the end of your piece, I think more people would place a greater emphasis on being empathetic and on listening deeply to others rather than the sometimes endless chatter in their own brains. And, going back to Julie's last piece, I think people would spend less time being 'Just busy' and juggling tasks and worrying about the next thing to do, and more time absorbing knowledge and beauty in the present moment. I think life this way would have less busy bees and instead more honey bees, passing along the sweeter things :)
- Amanda
This piece made me think of one more thing I'd like to hang to my bedroom wall---a small poster with my encouragement and vision: "To inspire the next generation of children to be more curious, gentle, and conscientious towards themselves and others, and also to the Earth." Thanks Brinton!
- Amanda
I think theres a great deal of stress exerted on being different, unique, even strange...there's a value placed on getting exceptional grades, traveling to extravagant places, building extraordinary personal qualities... So I love what Brinton has brought to light here. I think that perhaps embracing ordinariness can open a door to unexpected comfort and peace, and create more spaces of understanding, compassion, and acceptance. This piece left me with a little (changed) quote in my head: "Don't be afraid to be.. totally normal!!!"
- Amanda
In this piece from Brinton, he reflects on a personal achievement that causes him to have a profound realization. This revelation prompts a huge wave of gratefulness to wash over him. This piece has me think about how many of my achievements are due in part by the supporters that ever so naturally provide me a more motivated inner spirit and drive. Thanks Brinton!
- Amanda
I think Brinton just provided me a captivating image for the “awareness” I work to keep building into my moments so that I can make more conscious choices.
Pip
The following piece written by Brinton Johns brings to attention the importance of culture and values and ethics rather than immediate growth and expansion which ultimately may lead down a road to alienation and chaos. It made me think more about the difference it makes to focus on a top-down perspective with companies and organizations, and perhaps how setting the tone initially with culture and morals, one step at a time, can guide employees, partners, and customers to journey down a clearer, more constructive, and more worthwhile path to higher well-being and success. Thanks Brinton!
-Amanda
We just got back from a summer spent with our kids. I had a greater capacity to be present than I can remember. Although all of that family time surfaced difficulties, it also proved wonderful. A few nights before school started, I walked upstairs to find our kids all in one room — and here’s the great part — just talking with each other. No screens. No parental mandates to clean rooms. They were just sitting there, of their own volition, enjoying each other’s company. The moment caught me by surprise and brought a smile to my face. I backed down the stairs quietly, not wanting to disturb them.
I’ve been listening to a song for years now while I work in the morning. I first heard it by chance while on a night flight to Asia. I jotted down the name in my notebook and downloaded it when I got home. That was eight years ago. Since then, I’ve listened to this thirteen-minute-plus, a cappella choral arrangement thousands of times. I can’t tell you why I like it so much. It’s in Latin, so I’ve never even known it’s meaning, I just knew I needed to hear it: over and over again. Today, I finally delved deeper.
Today is the last day of one chapter of our friend Brinton Johns formal investing career.
As a member of this community, Brinton offered to write reflections as he walks through this doorway to start a new journey. We thought these reflections would serve multiple purposes: perhaps provoking helpful thinking to all of you in our community, perhaps providing Brinton a useful outlet to put his thoughts to writing while he is in this new experience, and perhaps offer all of us a collective language, so-to-speak, as we read and reflect on these pieces together.
Brinton, I love the shift of perspective you create when thinking about the common pain felt at the end of a workout or exhausting run. As I've recently completely switched up my cardio routine at the gym this past week, shifting from the usual elliptical exercise to the stair master, I have definitely experienced what feels like torture each time during the last five minutes or so. But your blog makes me think more about this change I made and think back to the elliptical days where my mental and physical growth remained seemingly stagnant. I wasn't necessarily expanding my limits or feeling revitalized afterwards. My routine feels way better and more productive now that I really break a sweat AND break the restrictions I feel like I once had. Thank you Brinton for sharing your personal experiences about your long walk, and inspiring me to do the same.
- Amanda