Love Letters to My Life: #61

Speaking to strangers

Maia …. a new graduate

It’s summer and a few weeks ago, I was lured into a zoom workshop about creating a Summer Fieldguide which was offered by Substack author

Annika Hansteen-Izora

. Annika led us through a series of mindmap sessions thinking about what we’d like to see, do, learn, or explore this summer. At the end she had us make two intentions for our Fieldguide activities and then talked about how to actually create a way to record them.

The workshop was a lighthearted affair and I didn’t expect much from it. However, my two intentions were to reconnect with some of my favorite trees in Santa Barbara and to talk to strangers.

I immediately scheduled a play date to revisit my favorite Moreton Bay Fig tree which is apparently the oldest of that species in the US. Every time I’ve visited this tree, it has felt like visiting a cathedral. Unfortunately, it is now fenced off for its own protection so it’s hard to get a decent photograph. The fence is so ugly, I’m tempted to go to the city to see if there’s any way to fund a decent protective fence that enhances its magnificence. Who knows if I will but I have made a preliminary phone call.

Circumference 41.5 feet … in 1997. City Landmark and California Register of Big Trees.

This intention has been a surprise. I’m not particularly shy about talking to strangers; I just don’t make much effort. After making this intention to look for openings to talk to people, amazing things began to happen.

#1 - One afternoon while walking around the neighborhood, I saw a young woman with flowers in her hair and started to walk on by, however, she looked beautiful and had an amazing smile so I just asked if I could take her picture. Turns out she had just graduated so I asked her what was next. She said she didn’t know but it would be something great. I replied with, “Don’t worry about great, just do something that makes your heart sing.” The photo I snapped had a horrible background so I played with it in Photoshop and created the opening image and sent Maia a copy. When I look at that picture, I think about all the young people going out into the world with their fresh ideas and high hopes. May they be met with generosity and gratitude.

#2 - While buying shoes at REI, a woman made a comment about the ones I was trying and rather than just acknowledging the comment, I asked a question that sparked a conversation that led to a five-hour lunch and a possible new friendship.

#3 - A passing comment with a resident here where I live but whom I had never talked to led to a conversation about Substack and an intention to talk more later.

#4 - A woman in our pool was talking about music and dancing and when I asked her, she informed me that there was free music and dancing in a park near us. Another friendship possibility opens.

There have been other, briefer connections sparked by my new intention. I’m noting them on index cards so I can look back on them at the end of the summer. This might just turn into a habit.

In order to have a place for my Summer Fieldguide cards, I found this little plastic pouch which now goes everywhere with me so I can add to it when I practice one of my intentions.

Have a great summer, and as Wally Amos says:

“Life is much more fun if you live it in the spirit of play and collaboration, working with instead of against others.”