BEING WITH THESE PEOPLE IS A HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR. They are so much grit and grace to the square inch! (They are also the Students and Instructors of the Year from Georgia’s technical colleges. One such student is pictured above.)
I spoke to them about taking leaps and following their callings. They, in turn, blessed me by sharing the leaps they decided to take within the next 2 weeks (the timeline I gave them).
Some shared their leaps and stories right after my session. Others stopped me in the elevator or restroom or hallway to divulge their leaps one-on-one. It was all so beautiful.
A sampling of their leaps:
-A fire science student will resume his practice of leaving notes of kindness and love for strangers to find.
-An instructor will volunteer to sing wherever it might uplift someone. At our request, she sang a gospel song that left us teary-eyed.
-A barbering student will partner with peers to provide free haircuts for kids in the underserved areas of her town.
-A nursing instructor has applied to become a hospice volunteer–2 weeks after losing her dad. She submitted the application just hours after our session.
-A veteran will work to energize and strengthen his VFW.
-A faculty member will unearth the years of journals he packed away in his garage. These will become material for a book.
I should add that EVERYTHING WENT WRONG before and during my presentation. My slides wouldn’t load. The mics kept failing even though the tech came and installed new batteries. One of the screens went black. And on and on. My nerves were about shot. But then I recognized this for what it was and pronounced, “The devil IS a lie!”
The students and faculty clapped and banged their tables in agreement. Heart and soul whupped the darkness that day. I stand in awe of these people–and the radiant spirit in that room.