I miss live theater and getting sweaty in a dance club. I miss intimate restaurants with great conversation over a luscious bottle of wine.

I miss holiday celebrations with family. I miss film festivals.

And, I miss the fact we didn’t get to take that Iceland vacation where I’d dreamed about sitting in a gigantic hot spring pool.

There’s something about gathering that fuels us. It’s the contagious nature of our emotions and possibly experiencing awe and joy with others. Sometimes, we don’t know what’s valuable until it’s taken away. This is part of the reason I wrote my six-part series last week on “Why We Gather” as I wanted to bring to light the value of collective contact at a time when it’s been nearly forbidden (for good reasons).

It’s time we reclaim what makes us human. My hope is that this Manifesto will help spark a conversation about the longing we now experience so viscerally and inspire us to prepare for the gatherings to come. Here’s what you can expect in this 30-minute read:

• The historical and scientific reasons why gathering is an essential human need
• How to seek and experience the power of "collective effervescence"
• The value and importance of "the gathering industry" so we can provide this big business full of small businesses support during the pandemic
• Preparing for a post-pandemic world in which we appreciate the value of gathering like never before (it's time for our "Roaring 20's")

Click here to download my Manifesto on “Why We Gather.” Share it with your friends and family who love to gather.