Over the weekend, Nicole and I visited a local shopping center in search of coffee and a comfy place to swap stories, people-watch, and ignite our inner creativity. As we talked, I soon noticed that we had an audience. While people came and went from the restaurant – a boy strategically leap-frog-ed between vacated tables. I sensed he was hoping to talk to us but was stirring up his courage. The people here are very honouring and respectful – putting a high value on relationships over agenda. So I waited to see if he would approach us.
Suddenly a toad leaped in the hedge next to us, surprising the boy and causing us all to laugh. The connection was made.
He said he often comes to the mall to find foreigners to practice speaking English with. (That’s brave!) We told him about the language center we’d been helping at, and offered him more information if he wanted it.
I was impressed by his bravery and courage to pursue new language skills…even to the point of speaking to two bright-white strangers in a local mall. 😉
His smiley face encouraged and challenged me. Language was important to him and meant a wide-open future to dream in. I could see that he had no intention of letting those dreams go simply for fear of trying and failing.
I wonder what I have let go for fear of failure…?
Another golden thought-nugget to mull over.
More steps forward. More lessons learned in random places. More to be thankful for.
