Never underestimate the power of making a great connection. I had the pleasure to be hosted in San Diego by someone I had never before met or spoken to. How I came to be introduced to them requires a story.
Years ago I taught a class in Scottsdale and had stayed connected to most of the participants. One of them had moved back to their hometown of Seattle. Even though they had moved, we stayed loosely connected. When I went on last year’s Drive N Bike, we talked a great deal more about our respective adventures.
In March, we reconnected when they were visiting in Scottsdale. Two days later I get a note from this person’s father telling me that they found my personal journey inspirational and they had a friend who had made several cross country bike trips. An introduction was made, we exchanged some emails, and here I am in San Diego visiting a fellow adventurer.
The people that come into our lives all enter for a reason. The reason is not always obvious at the time. They are in our lives anyway. Every one of these interactions represent an opportunity to share the love, make a connection, and find out something special about someone. I value every one of these opportunities. Each of them is a gift.
This particular San Diego gift invited me into their home, shared a great meal with him and his wife, celebrated a very special bike ride around the entire harbor area of San Diego which included a ferry ride from Coronado Island, and ended with an entertaining lunch with a bunch of old, retired buddies. What a great day.
We never know where life’s gifts come from. However, if we are constantly looking for the one’s that are obviously wrapped with our name on it, chances are we are missing the one that simply is out in the open for us to enjoy. Look for the opportunities to be a gift to another and you will discover that there is very likely a gift there for you, as well.
