I must admit I really love the free lunch we put on for the community once a month.
Yesterday was such a day.  Merril and I were asked to be there early.  Merril had been cooking and I think they may have thought they would be short staffed in the pantry.  But I could not be quoted on why we were early but we were. 
The cooking Merril does is gluten free for any who need food that way.  I stood at a distance and talked to her.  The kitchen is hers when cooking and she prefers I am not in there at that time.  Works for me too.
It was early but as it was our last dinner for the year it was Christmas themed.  What I really love is those who come are made to feel special.  All sorts of Christmas decorations were on the table and as usual the food was beautiful.
I reckon it is a great time for making people feel special who often are not made to feel special.  Some of those who come are doing it tough.  We do not highlight such a thing as all have dignity.  Yet we know there are those sleeping in cars or tents and doing it tough.  As far as I a concerned it is a couple of hours we all can forget what may await us and enjoy what is before us.
A great thing for me to is the number of people who help me pack up and prepare the joint for Sunday.  People just help.  No other motives but something needs doing and I am here.  I am always grateful for that. When one becomes two the workload is halved and when four or more assist thing happen real quick.
There was something we were due to go to after the event but we were cactus.  Merril phoned the other we had invited to see if cancelling going was ok.  It was funny but the one we had invited was hoping it would be cancelled as they were cactus.  When we thought about it we could have all been there wanting it cancelled but there because of the other and not knowing they were only there for us.
Anyway we were all happy.  What was the main event for us went well and I do not think anyone would have gone away disappointed.  Making others feel special makes us feel special.

So often it seems folk do not know what to say next.  I say something like, “what’s new?”  They respond, “Nothing.  No one ever listens anyway.”  It is what I say next that bamboozles them. “I’m listening.” (Just as an aside I get the same response when someone asks me, “What do you know?” and I say, “Lots of things.  What do you want to know?”)
A quote by Simone Well in the latest James Clear email had me thinking about that. “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity."
I probably highlight it ad nauseum, but it seems to be such a rare commodity, yet for all of us I think it is an incredibly important commodity.  To be listened to.  Perhaps even to feel understood.
As far as I am concerned everyone’s voice is significant. Some things are heard and dismissed in an instant.  Yet to me it seems so often it is not what is initially said that matters, but that it is combined with a listening ear.  Too often it seems what lies beneath is missed as what is said first causes another to walk away and miss the next or next thing said, that is a gem.
Even if it is not a gem having another open up is often enriching for both the hearer and the speaker.  Many great books remain unread as the first pages failed to capture the reader.
Every life is a story.  To be where I am today involved many steps.  Both mis-steps and sure-footedness have lessons to teach.  (First to teach me if I learn and perhaps another.)  But the lesson – perhaps vital – remains unheeded and unlearned when undiscovered.
Discovery often involves listening.  It often involves patience and caring.  A willingness to hear.  A willingness to perhaps put aside much that is unprofitable before one discovers something of great value.  Something that can change a life or many lives.
To me there are few things worse than walking away from someone when all life stories are guaranteed to contain great wealth if I patiently and open-heartedly look.

I was looking at a book the other day, and the author was taking about “interruptions.”
Not the sort that I know I need to deal with.  Like some talking over the top of me.  One listening to speak rather than listening to hear.  I admit when I come across someone who does not want to discuss but wants only to tell and will not consider any alternative but their own; I tend to walk away.  It is pointless giving my point of view if it will not be considered.  It matters not to me if it is accepted as long as it is heard.
I am also not considering the type of interruption that serves only to distract me from completing what I an attempting.  I often do not consider another’s crisis of their own making is not mine to drop everything for and embrace.
The type of interruption being considered was the stuff of life ones.  Ones that when followed through cause a change of life direction.  Steve Jobs had his study interrupted and he followed a different path and Apple was born.  Nelsen Mandela had his political career interrupted with imprisonment, and he became a catalyst in the dismantling of apartheid.  C.S. Lewis was interrupted by a conversation with J.R.R.Tolkein and another and his life course was changed forever.
The whole point for me is there are some interruptions that signal a change in direction rather than an inconvenience.  Trouble is it is so easy to miss if not considered of looked for.
I would not wish it on anyone, but I see my stoke as an interruption that changed the direction of my life.  I was talking to a fella that had been hit in his car by an out of control driver.  His life changed forever.  I was amazed to hear him say he felt it was the best thing to happen to him as he put aside all he thought did not matter and pursed a life of meaning.
It really does amaze me how often I hear things like that.  For most, fortunately, a change in direction is born of a chance encounter while for some (myself included) something more dramatic is used to get my attention.
It I weird but while I was reading about interruptions I was interrupted by a phone call.  It was a guy who had decided on a course of action and was asking my thinking.  I said something then we prayed together about it.
To me in that instance it confirmed the direction I was heading.  Yet more than ever I am on the lookout.  Perhaps that thing I consider an interruption is a signal of future direction.   I can only remain open to alternatives.  Who knows a surprise could be in store.