I have always talked to strangers. Of course there is some discernment involved– not everyone is safe to talk to – and some environments lend themselves better to anonymous conversation than others. I have always found that travel is one of those times when you really meet some very interesting people — train travel for me is just that much slower (especially in Canada).
I made a video for my series on Youtube where I share a story of what that led to when I travelled across Canada by train, solo, when I was 18. (If you are interested you can find my channel: Lise-Lotte Design under Creativity Resources on my website).
More recently, I met a wonderful young woman who was here for the summer taking some art courses and exploring everything that this part of the world has to offer.
Sometimes I think that young people don’t feel that they have anything to offer – but the truth for me is that the conversation over dinner with the family in our garden has a richness to it because of the essence of the open-minded traveller.
It is an equal exchange because of the insights that you each have in the conversation. The questions that are asked of one’s “everyday surroundings” shine a new light on assumptions that one just “lives with” without question.
Surely, the notion of living a life with no new impressions, or questions or insights is the recipe for a boring, uninteresting life devoid of the spark that makes one feel alive.
It must be in the openness of seeing your own world in new ways thanks to the mirror of a stranger that can spark creativity and insights, interest and fun.
I believe that when we have these experiences it is a privilege and it is well worth the drive to the farm so that the food you make is of-this-place so that they can taste what local fresh food tastes like in summer here.
Would you have done that for yourself otherwise, maybe.
In the sharing of it, in the intention– it is levelled up.
If you are lucky enough to meet another creative – well the gifts compound as you feel not only seen in your current experience, but learn other ways of seeing things or confirmation that common struggles are just that, common.
And if you are lucky, a friendship is formed.
And for the summer there is someone who lives in your town who can ask questions of you over text.
And from whom you can see pictures of mountain peaks on the very island on which you have lived all these years but never heard of, and for which these arthritic knees will likely never take you… Perhaps you wish comfort at this stage when you sleep, but that will mean that you will not be rewarded by the sunset and sunrise on the top of a rock face waking up in a tent.
Perhaps it is enough to have seen the amazing pictures on her phone over tea together- knowing that the mat that you lent her has had an adventure this summer and is now back on the shelf in the basement.
Maybe the notion that there is someone who has come here to explore and do all the things from surfing at Tofino to rowing on the gorge to hiking to climbing to running the local trails…gives you the renewed sense of exploration even if it is simply a walk in your own neighbourhood.
I believe that to bring your creativity alive and engage in an enriched life of story and connection – it requires being intentionally open.
That’s why I am so excited about my on-line membership GEMs: Connection through Creativity (GEMs = Gathering Experiences that are Meaningful).
Our wonderful members have a chance to both share their stories and become part of each other’s journeys to a more creative life.
I open the membership for a few short days periodically, here is the link to the waitlist so that you don’t miss it.