CHALLENGE: Connect heroically

I read a quote written by Joanna Gaines that resonated deeply in my soul. She writes, “We have somehow fooled ourselves that real connection is too hard to come by these days. But I’ve witnessed too many moments that prove otherwise… heroic pursuits, of people living for one another… I’m convinced all over again there is more light than dark, more life than death, more hope than anger, more joy than sorrow, more gratitude among us than we sometimes remember.”

If the old adage “what you seek is what you’ll find” is true, what are we seeking? Have we resigned to hold a half empty glass of life because we have lost hope our glass will be full again?

The first day of school, my son came home with a story. The teacher asked the class who would buy lunch that day. A classmate said she had forgotten to bring her money. My son reached into his own wallet and gave her money for lunch. He did not know her, had never met her, but demonstrated heroic generosity with a few dollars.

I would like to issue a challenge to the city. Pursue heroic connection. Share the moments marked by the pursuit of light, joy, overwhelming gratitude and beauty. These stories are hope to shift our soul lens from disheartened to encouraged.

What we seek is what we’ll find. Seek heroic connection. Find the restoration of empathy in living for one another. Restore hope with lunch money. Who has a story?

ERIN MILLER

Coeur d’Alene