Certain people have a mystery about them – the kind of mystery that generates curiosity – the kind of curiosity that sparks stories and myths – the kind of stories and myths that become corporate lore. This was one of those people. We worked in a business with thousands of people and our roles were similar, yet distanced from one another, so I never bothered to ask any questions that could have eradicated the lore I’d consumed. Remember – I was the one who didn’t ask any questions.
Certain dinners have an annoyance to them – the kind of annoyance that comes from exhaustion – the kind of exhaustion that comes from airports and UBERs and spreadsheets and video calls and client escalations – the kind of airports and spreadsheets and UBERs and video calls and client escalations that are part of the industry we each loved.
Certain dinner tables are in small rooms – rooms that separate the dinner guests from the rest of the general restaurant population – the kind of general restaurant population that causes noise and distraction – the kind of noise and distraction that prevents questions from being asked. Remember – I was the one who hadn’t asked any questions.
Certain people are meant to sit next to one another – sitting next to one another can force dialogue – the kind of dialogue that requires questions and answers – the kind of questions and answers that connect two people – the kind of answers that show more similarity on how lives are lived than the corporate lore would have suggested.
Certain people coach one another – the kind of coaching that lasts two months and comes from the time at dinner and the subsequent vulnerable and caring conversations that followed via video conference – the two months where friendship is built, learning is exchanged, and corporate lore is put out to pasture. The kind of pasture where stories rooted in assumption can go to die.
Certain people aren’t meant to stay in one place for too long – the kind of place where change and evolution is running rampant – the kind of change and evolution that requires special patience and requires an understanding of awareness that is unique to this world – the kind of awareness that comes from self-love, self-guidance, and introspection – the kind of awareness that this world needs more of.
I had this friend for two months – two months could have been eight years – seven years and ten months were spent listening to lore and not asking questions, so I’m grateful for that dinner, the exhaustion, the questions, the answers, and most importantly, our newly built friendship. The lesson – ask questions, listen to answers, build relationships, learn and grow. Do this sooner, rather than later, because all good things come to an end.
Certain people have made a massive impact on my life. This person accomplished that in two months. Thanks for that, friend. Until we chat again…
God bless all of you- and may He send peace to you during your times on this planet.
Much love- Trav
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