As I sit in a coffee shop of my hometown’s downtown neighborhood, I’ll Be Around plays through the speakers, and I’m struck about the evolution of our lives.
It’s been 15 years since I lived here, and the last 48 hours have reminded me of how we’re always moving forward — yet we’re also a powerful accumulation of the people, experiences, and love we’ve been given along the way.
The pure acceptance and embrace given by grandmothers.
The strength exemplified by grandfathers.
The joy we carried for cousins, even when we witness each other from afar.
The familiarity of siblings, and the ways we serve as mirrors for one another.
The push, pull, and warmth of parents.
The glow of memories shared with exes.
The knowing of us that lives inside childhood friends.
The pride and selflessness of mentors.
Thebuoy of childhood sidewalks and streets retraced again
The hope we carry for future love, future families, and dreams still forming.
Over the last few months, I’ve been thinking about a clip where Michelle Obama shares something her mother said right before her death: “Wow, this went fast.”
Time is moving. As as we continue going forward, we have to embrace the simple moments with old faces, new people and simply by ourselves.
Cooking in the kitchen with music playing in the background.
Wandering down a road we’ve traveled a dozen times before.
Sitting on the couch with a sibling.
Having lunch with a friend.
Each day asks us to actually be present in our lives.
Jarryd Boyd, Clarity + Communication Coach 