A few numbers, some life changes and an old comfy t-shirt
June 27, 2006
I often wonder what it takes to change the life of one person. Not just a temporary difference, but one that sustains life, one that changes the core beliefs, not just puts off the actions for the time being. Does change come only when people are open to it? Or does it force its way in like a piece of sand into an oyster-causing some discomfort and dread, but potentially make a pearl?
I have had my life changed in the last 4 days, in the last 3 weeks, and in the last 6 months. My change has come in a rare form that I haven’t seen in a desperately long time. It’s like that old comfy t-shirt that is at the bottom of the pile in the top of my closet. I know that it’s there, I know what it’s been through, where it’s been and that it will always reside exactly where it is. There are times when I am able to pull it out, based on what’s going on in my life at that time, and wear it with the utmost comfort and ease. It fits me; it knows me and provides me with exactly what I need every time I slide it over my head. It has the ability to revitalize the dormant parts of me, the parts that aren’t seen often, that aren’t touched often, the hidden parts of me that ache for simple words of affection and interaction.
I met people this weekend that fit me like my old comfy t-shirt does. I felt more understood in the last 4 days than I have in a really long time. There were times that I thought they were flipping through the pages of my mind’s eye, reading it piece by piece. I’m not sure that any of them had any idea that they were doing this, but they left today, and I felt as though I had lost a part of me; a part of me that hadn’t been ignited for a long time.
They are educated, they are passionate, they have goals, they dream big, they work hard-really hard, they speak well, they laugh hard, apparently they cry hard (although I didn’t experience that one), they drive far, they play loud, they know about things-things that are important and use their gifts to convey that knowledge, they are smart (asses), they want to give back, they question why they do what they do-if for selfish purposes or for the greater good, they are giving of their time, they are good listeners, and great conversation havers, they are grounded, they are sensible, and most of all is the simple fact that they are taking all of these phenomenal characteristics and spreading them to all of those they encounter on their tour. These 4 outstanding men that I met are members of a group called Eighty Four (Yes, they are on myspace, check them out).
I was proud to watch them drive away today, knowing that they were going to spread more of their knowledge, but saddened as I felt like part of me was leaving. They were very generous with all of the volunteers that they met, providing us all with a CD- an autographed CD and a t-shirt.
I’m not quite sure that I can verbatim how I’m different today than I was on Friday night before I met them. I guess that will come in time, but I know that I feel differently today then I did then. Better, more understood, connected, comforted and at ease. The comfy shirt that usually lays at the bottom of the pile in the top of my closet has now become a black t-shirt with a man, head in hands and the words Eighty Four across the bottom.
I’m not sure that I’m going to put it back. Ever. I think that I’ll arm myself with it each day. With the ease that I have changed. Again I’m not sure how. But I know that not only are my actions different, but my core beliefs have been reinforced. It might be hard to believe that my life could be changed by a few numbers and a comfy t-shirt, scary almost. But I’m a firm believer that when people are open to change in their lives it comes in ways that we never thought possible, and impacts parts of our hearts, souls and lives that most times we don’t even know need to be changed. I have welcomed change with open arms. And I got to hug all 4 of them today with those open arms and thank them for doing things that are of their character that changed who I am, who I will continue to be and the goals for who I will become.
June 27, 2006
I often wonder what it takes to change the life of one person. Not just a temporary difference, but one that sustains life, one that changes the core beliefs, not just puts off the actions for the time being. Does change come only when people are open to it? Or does it force its way in like a piece of sand into an oyster-causing some discomfort and dread, but potentially make a pearl?
I have had my life changed in the last 4 days, in the last 3 weeks, and in the last 6 months. My change has come in a rare form that I haven’t seen in a desperately long time. It’s like that old comfy t-shirt that is at the bottom of the pile in the top of my closet. I know that it’s there, I know what it’s been through, where it’s been and that it will always reside exactly where it is. There are times when I am able to pull it out, based on what’s going on in my life at that time, and wear it with the utmost comfort and ease. It fits me; it knows me and provides me with exactly what I need every time I slide it over my head. It has the ability to revitalize the dormant parts of me, the parts that aren’t seen often, that aren’t touched often, the hidden parts of me that ache for simple words of affection and interaction.
I met people this weekend that fit me like my old comfy t-shirt does. I felt more understood in the last 4 days than I have in a really long time. There were times that I thought they were flipping through the pages of my mind’s eye, reading it piece by piece. I’m not sure that any of them had any idea that they were doing this, but they left today, and I felt as though I had lost a part of me; a part of me that hadn’t been ignited for a long time.
They are educated, they are passionate, they have goals, they dream big, they work hard-really hard, they speak well, they laugh hard, apparently they cry hard (although I didn’t experience that one), they drive far, they play loud, they know about things-things that are important and use their gifts to convey that knowledge, they are smart (asses), they want to give back, they question why they do what they do-if for selfish purposes or for the greater good, they are giving of their time, they are good listeners, and great conversation havers, they are grounded, they are sensible, and most of all is the simple fact that they are taking all of these phenomenal characteristics and spreading them to all of those they encounter on their tour. These 4 outstanding men that I met are members of a group called Eighty Four (Yes, they are on myspace, check them out).
I was proud to watch them drive away today, knowing that they were going to spread more of their knowledge, but saddened as I felt like part of me was leaving. They were very generous with all of the volunteers that they met, providing us all with a CD- an autographed CD and a t-shirt.
I’m not quite sure that I can verbatim how I’m different today than I was on Friday night before I met them. I guess that will come in time, but I know that I feel differently today then I did then. Better, more understood, connected, comforted and at ease. The comfy shirt that usually lays at the bottom of the pile in the top of my closet has now become a black t-shirt with a man, head in hands and the words Eighty Four across the bottom.
I’m not sure that I’m going to put it back. Ever. I think that I’ll arm myself with it each day. With the ease that I have changed. Again I’m not sure how. But I know that not only are my actions different, but my core beliefs have been reinforced. It might be hard to believe that my life could be changed by a few numbers and a comfy t-shirt, scary almost. But I’m a firm believer that when people are open to change in their lives it comes in ways that we never thought possible, and impacts parts of our hearts, souls and lives that most times we don’t even know need to be changed. I have welcomed change with open arms. And I got to hug all 4 of them today with those open arms and thank them for doing things that are of their character that changed who I am, who I will continue to be and the goals for who I will become.
posted by kelli at 8:26 PM
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