Today was just one of those days where I found myself with racing thoughts, mixed emotions and lack of relishing my current situation. Luckily, I came across an article written by a friend, Jonathan Kalan, about "endless possibilities and opportunities" that occur in our lives. He lined out his life story in a nutshell and brought it together by stating that it's the people and connections he has made that brought him to this present state. "Revolution is whatever you want it to be, and it's wherever you want it to go. It's there, waiting for you, And the people you meet, from the mundane to the most inspiring, are the ones who will unlock it, break it open, or help you find it". We all know this, but sometimes we need a reminder. His article was able to spark this reminder but again I slowly sunk back into the sliding feelings.
As I sat around pondering my sense of being at our family friend's home, my eyes suddenly caught the T-shirt of their house help. This young girl with a strong face flashed her delicate smile at me as I asked her "Judy, where did you get that shirt from?", proudly she spoke, " I got it at the Kwangari market, for 100 shillings, Mama". The Kwangari market is near the Kwangari slums where she lives. My jaw was on the ground.
The red t-shirt that she got for a little over $1.00 was the very same one that I had when I was a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My alma matar logo and team name written right across it. Here I was at some random home in Kenya meeting a random person with the very same T-shirt that I had once wore. This brought back memories of Jacqueline Novogratz memoir "The Blue Sweater". I was having my very own "Blue Sweater" moment. Granted I didn't write my name on the tag like Jacqueline, so I couldn't verify if it was MY red T-shirt, regardless there it was worn out with the nostalgia that the logo gives me. Some can argue that such a thing is common, but what are the chances that I would come across this very T-shirt I once wore as a student, on this very day? I was awestruck!
The words of Jacqueline spun in my head:
" The story of the blue sweater has always reminded me of how we are all connected. Our actions -- and inaction -- touch people every day across the globe, people we may never know and never meet. The story of the blue sweater is also my personal story: Seeing my sweater on that child renewed my sense of purpose in Africa."
As I sat around pondering my sense of being at our family friend's home, my eyes suddenly caught the T-shirt of their house help. This young girl with a strong face flashed her delicate smile at me as I asked her "Judy, where did you get that shirt from?", proudly she spoke, " I got it at the Kwangari market, for 100 shillings, Mama". The Kwangari market is near the Kwangari slums where she lives. My jaw was on the ground.
The red t-shirt that she got for a little over $1.00 was the very same one that I had when I was a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My alma matar logo and team name written right across it. Here I was at some random home in Kenya meeting a random person with the very same T-shirt that I had once wore. This brought back memories of Jacqueline Novogratz memoir "The Blue Sweater". I was having my very own "Blue Sweater" moment. Granted I didn't write my name on the tag like Jacqueline, so I couldn't verify if it was MY red T-shirt, regardless there it was worn out with the nostalgia that the logo gives me. Some can argue that such a thing is common, but what are the chances that I would come across this very T-shirt I once wore as a student, on this very day? I was awestruck!
The words of Jacqueline spun in my head:
" The story of the blue sweater has always reminded me of how we are all connected. Our actions -- and inaction -- touch people every day across the globe, people we may never know and never meet. The story of the blue sweater is also my personal story: Seeing my sweater on that child renewed my sense of purpose in Africa."
I suddenly had my sense of purpose renewed. These reminders are necessary, that we are all connected in a world that appears so emotionally disconnected. Empathy, love, and emotional connection are vital for our ever changing world. I took Jacqueline and Jonathan's words in, and let myself absorb that moment as I talked to her about the red T-shirt. I reflected on all the things that happened to me in the last few years to get me to where I am today. Some very hard to still grasp and some I'm very grateful for, regardless they all had an impact. The Red T-shirt reminded me of impact and connection. Despite never liking my University colors or logo, I was pouring with excitement at the mere sight of it. Today I had my own mini revolution, now on to make a bigger one.....
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| The Red T-shirt and lovely Judy! |
Very nice inspiration for the day....
ReplyDeleteWow! Small world!
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