A V-8 Kind of Morning

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Nothing to write about – or so I thought. That emptiness usually means that I’m oblivious to what’s  happening all around me. So, when I do take notice of what’s happening it’s a bit like that V-8 commercial – a smack on the forehead. Here’s what hit me first thing this morning – Angela. She’s a student in my speech class at the community college where I teach. About 20 minutes ago Angela submitted this piece for our class blog:

As the weeks go by, my fellow classmates seem to have become my friends and I see each person opening up to who they are. I see beautiful people with stories of pride, humor, sadness, joy, sickness, disappointment, likes and dislikes, their work, children and families and struggles. I am loving getting to know you all and know your stories. It has made me realize one thing, that even though we are all different in so many ways, we really aren’t that different after all. It is amazing how you can put so many different types of people in a speech class and end up feeling the close connection that I feel. I think it is because we have to let out guard down, trust people we don’t know and be vulnerable to them, and the result is being received by caring, compassionate people who encourage! I have grown in this class, it is a blessing to me. I have a saying that I try to live by it goes like this, “Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”. I have kept that saying in my heart for many years because it is so true. All of you have been examples of this. See you next class.

Incredibly insightful you say – YES!….and  wrapped up in her gorgeous reflection are keys and clues to the power of our stories and the gift of relationships. Which leads me to my second V-8 smack on the forehead and a search for that conference handout buried in my to-do stack of stuff. The handout is titled “Toolbox for Change”. It’s the work of David Pitonak, a consultant, speaker and fabulous storyteller. The first two “tools” in David’s handout dovetail nicely with Angela’s insight.

Tool #1 – It’s all about Relationships.

Tool #2 – Wake up to the People Right Next to You.

And finally – a third V-8 smack ( I do have a dull headache now but with a smile) – To hear the stories, to be vulnerable, to build relationships and to wake up to the people next to us - you have to BE there – in the middle of things -  learning, working, and playing alongside one’s neighbors and friends.  It more than important to be together – it’s essential. It’s human.

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