All Roads Lead Back to Kindergarten

Quote of the day: “Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.” —Arthur Rubinstein; pianist

It feels good to love people, doesn’t it? I know it’s not always easy to get out of our own way, sometimes, and to be in a place to share our love for others, but when we do, it surely is fabulous.

Yesterday I had the privilege of spending a few minutes with my colleague, Carol, after a meeting we had with Congressman Maffei’s staff regarding a potential grant opportunity. I felt the meeting proved to be a waste of time, although Carol was more optimistic. I have a difficult time meeting with politicians to talk about grant monies they have access to, only to then end up listening to their ideas about where to potentially access other grants, most of which any person in the arts/non-profit/grant world is already familiar with and has tried that path.

Anyways, as we drove away from the Federal Building, Carol and I engaged in a spirited conversation about our personal and professional lives. She is a soul sister whose parol runs deep. She feels like she’s walked this earth many times before, and often reminds me of Maya Angelou. She has that certain je ne sais quoi about her.

As we shared honest reflections of our Selves and our ability to believe in the unseen when it comes to other areas of our lives, we couldn’t help but to wonder why there seems to be doubt when it comes to believing in our Selves. What is it about the human species that can give so much love, hope and faith externally, yet struggle to do so internally?

If we only gave a quarter of the amount of energy we spend on other people’s dreams to nurturing our own, then maybe we would be able to bring to life what we so desire. Each day, we support the dream of others when we go to work for “someone’s” business, shop at “someone’s” stores, pick up a coffee at “someone’s” cafe, go to the movies, read a book, etc. You get my point. Don’t get me wrong, all of which is fabulous because it creates an economy and it feels wonderful to support others. I do it all the time.

Though the point is, we all have our own niche; our own God-given talents. We may be able to express these talents through working for someone else, or we may have to create our own work to then be able to express our talents. Regardless of how we do it, the point is, we find a way to express what’s unique to us.

Although Carol and I are at different stages in our lives, with different responsibilities, we find each other’s spirits at similar crossroads. I don’t know how our futures will unfold, but I do know that it feels so good, so healthy, so comforting and so peaceful to be able to share in each other’s love for life. In that moment, I am fulfilled.