FRESH VIEWS FREE MINI EZINE |
FRESH VIEWS MINI E-ZINE
You can't play a symphony alone, it takes an orchestra to play it.
Once when I was 11 years old, my father heard me practicing my violin and asked, What is that? It doesnt sound like a song at all. And he was right. I was practicing my 2nd violin part for the All-City Youth Orchestra concert. By itself, it wasnt much. The music only came when I played my part with all of the other kids playing their parts on their instruments. Then it was thrilling. It was a symphony and I was part of it.
I thought of this experience from more than 50 years ago while I was in Israel a couple of weeks ago on Bahai Pilgrimage. Bahais from around the world are encouraged to go on a 9 day Pilgrimage to the Bahai World Center in Haifa, Israel, at least once in their lives. You sign up and wait about 5 years, and this was our time! My friend Stephanie had suggested I make a list of people I wanted to pray for while in Israel. I started the list on the long plane trip over there, and was amazed at the process. I started with dear friends and family, those I knew were experiencing challenges. Then I moved to neighbors, colleagues, fellow board members, old friends. As I added people, I thought of them, wondered about them, worried for them, smiled, and kept going
the list wrote itself and was long! Both on the plane and later, when I actually prayed for the people on my list, I was touched by the deep feeling that I am connected to a lot of people. By myself, I make very little music. But in relationship with others I make rich, sometimes unusual harmonies! The Pilgrimage itself is worth describing. Every 3 weeks close to 400 Bahais from around the world arrive in Haifa for a Pilgrimage. People came from all over the US and 24 other countries, as far flung as DR Congo, Greenland, Macau, Australia, Venezuela, and France. There are meticulously orchestrated small group tours of historical and holy Bahai sites and beautiful gardens. It is hard to describe the experience of being part of that diverse group on a spiritual journey: a person among people, a small part in the orchestra of the world.
Since coming home, everything is easier. Everything. I dont know exactly why, but I think it has to do with feeling really clear about whats important to me: people and service, adding my little piece to the music.
Sharon Eakes | 720 Maple Lane | Sewickley, PA 15143
FOCUS: A Person Among People
DISCIPLINES: Team Learning, Mental Models, Personal Mastery, Systems Thinking
Navjot Singh Sidhu
A Memory
A Pilgrimage
A Miracle
Coaching Questions
Invitations
HOPE UNLIMITED, LLC
720 Maple Lane, Sewickley, PA 15143
TOLL-FREE: 1(888) 769-3494
FAX: (412) 741-2159
Email: hope@hopellc.com
©1999-2000 HOPE UNLIMITED, LLC