365 Squarey Monsters: The challenge — and joy

Sunday, August 2, 2026

The challenge — and joy — of a summer birthday

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The Two Sides of a Summer Birthday

A summer birthday sounds like a dream until you’re the one living it. Camp schedules empty out the classroom, vacations swallow the calendar, and every July, growing up, I missed the classroom cupcakes and a room full of classmates singing “Happy Birthday” off-key.

Gathering people this time of year hasn’t gotten any easier as the years pass. What it’s taught me instead is the value of ritual, and the difference it makes to celebrate with the people we care about most.

👉 See why every birthday matters (even summer ones)

Why You Don’t Need a Reason

There comes a point every summer when the calendar catches its breath. The Fourth of July is behind us and back-to-school is still weeks away. Life slows down just enough to think about the people who’ve made a difference. That’s when I have a ritual that catches friends and colleagues completely by surprise — and proves that the best gifts are often the ones no one sees coming.

👉 See my summer surprise — then share yours for a chance to receive one

A Historic First on Facebook

What do a toll-free phone number, AOL, the web, mobile apps, and Facebook all have in common? They’re milestones in a much bigger story about meeting customers where they are. One of those moments happened 17 years ago this summer—and it says as much about our future as it does about our past.

👉 The story behind one of our most memorable technology firsts

This week on Power & Impact, I’m joined by London Business School professor and author John Mullins, Ph.D., to explore why entrepreneurial thinking may be the greatest competitive advantage in the age of AI. We discuss why this technology can strengthen critical thinking, and what leaders can learn from companies like Amazon, Costco, and SpaceX as they prepare for the future of business. Watch now.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: In last week’s Celebrate Your Story, I shared some of the most memorable friendship stories sent by members of the Celebrations Pulse community. In honor of National Friendship Month, these reflections celebrate the relationships that sustain us and will only become more valuable as AI and remote work reshape our world. Listen to the episode.