Something interesting happened at a meeting I was in the other day. Yes, you read that correctly something interesting happened at a meeting. Over lunch, during a meet and greet of the new HR head, the request was made, “Tell me three things people might not know about you.”
People never cease to surprise me. Here among the people I see all the time were accomplished musicians, cyclists, renovators, cooks, photographers and former this and thats with stories to tell.
Some are accomplishing amazing things like black belts and wine making. Others spurred on by a bit of regret accomplished wonderful ancestry investigations for a chance to document a loved one’s legacy. Many passionate about children and the chance to make a difference in their lives through activities shared and traditions passed along. And this was a very small portion of the people I work with every day. Imagine….
Each spoke with a bit of hesitation at first, this was a vulnerability moment for everyone including me. I was a bit let down by the shaking in my voice when I talked about my three passions; the cooking that led to my being a favorite Aunt, my love of photography newly inspired, and, of course, Ordinary Legacy. My dear friend put it best when he said one should never get pissed about being human. True that and I came to realize that when I talk about myself I am filled with an emotion that was lacking for many years. It might take a while to recapture the confidence of passion. But I did it and I will continue to do it until my voice stops shaking.
I am in awe of people and the way they can surprise and inspire you. The way they bump up against adversity or regret and make something amazing out of it. This same week I came across Brandon Stanton who is the energy behind the website Humans of New York. He too is asking questions of people he meets every time he creates a portrait of them. Questions like; do you mind if I take your photo?, if you could give one piece of advice what would it be?, can you give me an example?, what has been your greatest struggle. He is capturing the ordinary legends of the city, the people among us who are making their way in the world in surprising numbers in quiet ways.
Brandon has inspired me to develop an Ordinary Legend ingredient to Ordinary Legacy. It would be a natural progression of my camera meeting my desire to learn how people are making their way in the world and what they might leave behind as a result. My question, “tell me something people might be surprised to learn about you.”
I have long been a fan of Alice Walker and especially her quote, “Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.” But I’m finding it’s not necessary to live frugally on surprise, it’s everywhere in so many things, people number one among them.
To name just a few this week:
Lunch and a photo walk with my niece Kate found us together in a little restaurant in the East Village with good food and good music and wait staff that were thrilled when we got up to lindy to Glen Miller’s In the Mood. It was a surprise moment, filled with laughter at who would lead and big hug at the end. Oh yes, and a tiny bit of applause.
My dear Sandra and her husband David stopped on their way home from Maryland for an impromptu dinner on Stowe Lane. Silly little pizzas, a bottle of red and a bottle of white, the now famous Caesar salad and I couldn’t have been happier. It was the first time David had been on Stowe Lane and he loves it now too.
The people running the farm stand I stopped at on my way back from Pennsylvania picked out my vegetables for me. They picked out the perfect tomatoes, corn, blueberries and peaches. Advice on which ones to eat when, bagged separately so that I wouldn’t forget and the ripeness would unfold over the whole week. Love that.
The things that will turn a modest life into a three dimensional life are the surprises. One doesn’t have to live frugally on them if you are open to them and can recognize them when they appear. They will come from the people all around you, the ones you think you know but really don’t, the ones that inhabit certain parts of your life but have amazing lives away from yours. You will find surprises in everyone, I know like I know…