Reflections

lt is a wet and soggy Sunday morning today, perfect for reflecting on life and being grateful for the lessons that life has taught me. 

Over the past week I have had an opportunity to interact with hundreds of people as they came to Escalante to participate in the annual Art Festival.

At first I was going to coast through and just be an observer, but a handful of neighbors commented on my potato bar and hoped that I would do it again, so with less than a week to get ready I ordered the organic potatoes and unpacked the supplies that I needed to serve the public. As the day approached I got more excited with anticipation.

My home is directly across the street from the festival and after watching the festival for years, I wanted to be a part and add my own unique energy.

I wasn’t disappointed, we had several hundred people who enjoyed the organics, and I had the opportunity to engage with each of them.

One German fellow lectured me on the use or rather the abuse of using plastics. He pointed out to me what I already knew, but had failed to do my diligence to find a better alternative. Twice more he came over and told me of the successes that his countrymen had in reducing plastics.

He was right and I promised to do better next year.

Each of the artists that entered paintings interpreted what they saw in our local town and landscapes in a unique way that I hadn’t been able to see. They saw what I could not. 

I met some new friends and caught up with old friends. My life is richer because I participated, shared and listened.

Our community is currently struggling to find balance between the old traditions and the new opportunities here on the edge of a National Monument. 

Old prejudices meeting untapped opportunities. 

It is unsettling for everyone and there is a lot of finger pointing and complaining going on.

It’s not unlike what is going on in the world.

We have allowed ourselves to engage in electronic dialogue and have removed ourselves from face to face interaction. 

We live in boxes, we drive in boxes and work in boxes, then we watch a box to find entertainment and mold our opinions. 

Last week I chose to step outside my box and meet face to face with those who came to my home, it was risky but ultimately very rewarding.

What would happen if we all decided to look one another in the eye and share part of ourselves, our story?

We are living in an ever changing world and whether we like it or not we are part of that change.

I spent several hours last night sharing and listening to a small group of new friends who helped to mold some new ideas and firm up old ones. I probably talked too much, I blame that on the good food and drink.

Instead of reposting someone else’s thoughts and ideas, I am challenging myself and you to share your own unique thoughts, your successes and your failures, for in your sharing, my life will be better and I hope I can do the same for you.

The ripples that we leave behind will forever shape the lives that they reach.