Christina Tosi - Bond Bright (Like a Diamond)

Summary

The speaker reflects on the values instilled by her upbringing, emphasizing the importance of relationships and community. She describes her life as navigating through various 'rooms' representing different roles and relationships, each requiring her full presence and attention. The narrative weaves through her day, illustrating her efforts to balance work, family, and personal time, highlighting the joy and challenges of maintaining these bonds. She concludes by advocating for a perpetual enthusiasm for life, the power of relationships, and the importance of being present in each aspect of one's life.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👧 The speaker emphasizes the importance of family upbringing and the values instilled by parents and community, highlighting the influence of these early lessons on their adult life.
• 🤝 The speaker was raised to be generous, supportive, and respectful, with a focus on building strong relationships and being a good community member.
• 👀 The speaker values presence and connection in relationships, believing that being fully present in each 'room' of their life is essential for a fulfilling life.
• 🏠 The speaker uses the metaphor of 'rooms in a house' to describe different aspects of their life, suggesting a method of compartmentalizing and focusing on one area at a time.
• 🍰 As a baker, the speaker finds joy in their work but also acknowledges the solitary nature of the profession, balancing it with a passion for connecting with others.
• 💡 The speaker believes in the power of relationships and the bonds built with people, which they consider to be the most thrilling and fulfilling aspects of life.
• 🚶‍♀️ The speaker's day is filled with various activities, from meditation and exercise to work meetings and maintaining personal relationships, all approached with enthusiasm and intention.
• 📅 The speaker manages a busy schedule by being highly organized and present in each task or 'room' they are in, avoiding multitasking and ensuring full commitment to the current activity.
• 💌 The speaker shows appreciation for their team and friends by sending thoughtful gestures, such as quilts for a baby or 'cookie bombs' for a restaurant, to reciprocate kindness and build stronger bonds.
• 🏃‍♀️ The speaker finds walking in the city to be a peaceful and inspiring activity, using this time to check emails and stay connected while also enjoying the surroundings.
• 🔄 The speaker acknowledges the challenges of balancing work and personal life, admitting to the occasional struggle but maintaining a positive outlook and a commitment to self-forgiveness and presence.

Q & A

What values were instilled in the speaker from a young age?

The speaker was raised to give their whole heart, do their very best, be respectful, confident, and to value relationships and community.

How does the speaker describe their relationship with their sister?

The speaker was raised to love their sister unconditionally, even when she did things like eating the last cookie from the jar.

What is the significance of the speaker's upbringing in shaping their current identity?

The speaker's upbringing is the core of their identity, influencing their belief in the importance of relationships, kindness, and being a good person.

How does the speaker view the concept of 'being present'?

The speaker believes that being present is a beautiful thing that happens naturally when one is in pursuit of being the best version of themselves.

What is the speaker's profession and how does it influence their lifestyle?

The speaker is a baker, which involves being a bit of a loner and having alone time, but they also have a passion for building and maintaining relationships.

What is the 'room in a house' analogy used by the speaker to describe their approach to managing relationships?

The speaker uses the 'room in a house' analogy to represent different areas of their life and relationships, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one room at a time.

How does the speaker's upbringing influence their approach to work and life balance?

The speaker's upbringing taught them to value every bond and relationship, which influences their approach to balancing work and personal life by trying to be present and attentive in each 'room' of their life.

What are some of the 'rooms' the speaker mentions in their life?

Some of the 'rooms' mentioned include The Milk Bar, Momo fuku, Master Chef, friendship, family, and personal space.

How does the speaker ensure they are present in each 'room' of their life?

The speaker uses rules like turning on the light when entering a room and turning it off when leaving, focusing on one room at a time, and not multitasking between rooms.

What is the speaker's strategy for maintaining connections with friends and family despite a busy schedule?

The speaker's strategy includes sending thoughtful packages, making phone calls or FaceTime calls during commutes, and making time for meditation and self-care.

How does the speaker handle the unexpected visit from their mother?

The speaker expresses a mix of frustration and excitement about the unexpected visit, showing the importance of family and the influence of their upbringing in valuing relationships.