Call me a romantic or sensitive or simply one who celebrates the immutable beauty in the ebbs and flows of daily living. A smile, a firm handshake, a bump on the sidewalk… a sub second connection with profound meaning like two strangers’ eyes meeting for a mere moment but each understanding the magnificence of that moment. 

A colleague called me a few weeks ago to say hello and check in on me. His call raised my spirits. He didn’t know it but his timing was impeccable. I was having  a rough day and being me, burdening much of the responsibilities of being a father, husband and executive, I was exhausted… like most Thursday evenings. I could feel his smile coming through the phone, his kind face and warm eyes. Yesterday I saw him at the office and I remarked how kind this young man is and how I’ve watched him change and mature over the last two years since we first met. He was green, new to the software business, and single. Now he is married, a successful and respected seller, and his kindness and smile are consistent. I told him how much I appreciated his call and how it touched me. He said… “where I come from we look out for each other. It is important to be kind and to respect your neighbours.” He said something about how God will look out for you if you look out for others. He is Moroccan and said the Mediterranean culture is founded in kindness, community, and friendship. I love it!

Change and struggle are beautiful… watching a flower blossom to glory, and then slowly decay to renew again another year is a metaphor to friendship, work, family, and daily struggles. There will always be points of decay and challenges… and one day we will bloom again. And flowers need water, air, sun… like we need love, friendship, and community.