Belonging begins with “Hello”

BEST in ROW!

If you know me, have ever heard me speak or you have read my content, 

You may know my highest value is belonging

And that one of my favorite things in life is thinking about "Who am I going to meet on my flight?"

and then - it happens

I call it "Best in Row"

I have met the most incredible human beings including:

a CEO - who shared his triumphs, failures and favorite rock groups with me

A young aspiring country music singer/songwriter who moved from Whales to Nashville to follow her dream.

A man who shared about losing over 100 lbs. this past year and let me listen to his demo track that I hope will become a hit song and then share my email with his wife so she could have a new friend.

A Filipino mother of 3 who shared about raising her wonderful children and tragically losing her mother due to medical negligence.

An Asian American woman flying to PHL to care for her mother with cancer and taught me a beautiful lesson about inclusion and practicing curiosity. 

A Detroit City Firefighter who shared about his family, music, his own speaking journey and his experience of being a firefighter in a community that was referred to as "The Arsenal Capital of the Country."

A 30 yr. frontline worker from the airline industry flying with her dog and sharing about the changes of work culture throughout her career.

While I wish I could have a goal for the number of "Best in Rows" I will have in the next year, I don't know mostly because

I don't know how many events or flights I will have

and even though talking to a stranger on a flight is the last thing many people want to do,

I do know three things

1. Life is short
2. Human beings want to be seen, heard and known
3. Belonging and connection begin with "Hello"

Doesn't need to be a train, a plane, a car...

It can be anywhere.

It is a privilege and a gift to receive the story of another.