About 20 minutes after my encounter with Rigdzin, I found myself peering into a storefront named Greenwood Pencil Box. It’s a place that fuels courage and creative expression in youth through two complementary organizations that share this space: The Beaureu of Fearless Ideas or BFI, and Sanctuary Art Center. I value these ideas and have an imaginative poster from BFI that I glance at when I need a dose of moxie.
So when I saw this space in the process of being reimagined, I couldn’t resist and literally had my nose to the window when Chris and Troy (from the above mentioned organizations respectively) opened the door after-hours to invite me in. We chatted briefly about their organizations and the impact they want to have in the community and, once again, I was touched by the kindness, integrity and care of my fellow humans. I felt thankful that such people existed in the world.
The more I’ve reflected since, the more I realize that these people exist everywhere. Not just in special corners of the globe where conditions for human flourishing are just right. They are peppered everywhere. Being a piece of the everyday divine. Bolstering others in as many ways as there are humans. I didn’t jump through hoops to find them; I just walked down my main street and stepped into their world, ready to engage and there they were.
I also realized that they are not peppered everywhere―we are peppered everywhere. You, me, everyone. We can step into the world, ready to engage.
“The simple act of showing up and connecting with another’s humanity can help a person rekindle hope in ways they might not otherwise have dreamed of doing.” ― Jacqueline Novogratz
