So here I am, sitting at my desk, reviewing tasks completed and those I still have to do. Perhaps, a ritual we all do as our lives, work, and play expand and contract. Sometimes we end days on highs, and others, not so much. Yet in each, and if looked at optimistically, lessons are learned as we consider our futures and contemplate our big whys.

Why the sentimental intro? You might ask. Well, I re-learned another lesson today—one that directly links to the very reasoning behind why I do my part in growing our community.

An inventory that prompts me to flashback to the wisdom of a stranger-now-friend I met years ago, but her message still lives in my heart.

And similar to this days ending, my meeting her started from a place like where I sit now. Here is the account in retrospect:

5:00 pm: I peeled myself from my desk, redirected by a nagging subconscious away from what I perceived as the day’s priorities. You know, those quiet thoughts that dwell in the background of what we agonize as our have-to-do’s.

5:15 pm: The little voice in my mind has directed me to Warner Park. I’ve been here before, and have even made a few friends here. But today’s whisper feels more direct than ever. If there is one thing the project has taught me, it is to acknowledge that little thing we call intuition. We all have it, but the question to ask ourselves is, do we follow it?

5:20 pm: I park the car, and as I do, I notice two women walking towards me on the sidewalk. Something pushes me to approach them. Okay, this could be a creepy guy moment. I ready myself for rejection. For to ignore my first impression would only leave me questioning my motives. You see, I have promised myself (and you) that I will not profile whom I approach. Pledged to raise my chin to the world and reach out to all I lock eyes with.

5:21’sh pm: With business card in hand, Hi, I’m Richard… I’m a photographer and filmmaker—I explain my blog project.

I’m stopped mid-sentence as Roshan and her friend shut me down, “We know you!”

I’m shocked and a little worried. You do! I wobble.

“Yea, a while back you interviewed my friends (Project-365 Day 93 / “The Trail Is Our Therapy”). Remember them. You met them on the hiking trail at the top of Victory.”

Wow! Yes, I totally remember them. Great couple. Loved talking with them.

We open a conversation.

That lesson I spoke of earlier: That listening to our intuition thing. Perhaps the more we practice hearing it, the more in tune we can become with the world around us. A premise that today is being proven by Roshan and her friend. For in a city of millions, it is possible for the paths of strangers to unite on common, maybe even inspired ground. The skeptics might lean on premises like six degrees of separation or other similar theories. But for me, the idea is much simpler—Just trust what you feel, and if inspired by the whispers of your heart, simply have the courage to speak with each other in the face-to-face world. I’ll leave it at that.

Talk tomorrow my good friends—and Roshan… your words have smitten us,

Richard