On October 23, 2024 I embarked on my first flight out of state by myself in many years. I was not sure how I would manage the trip. At some point after my middle forties I developed an anxiety when flying. I had traveled for most of my adult life with no anxiety or concerns.
For my first trip I chose a simple flight across the country. What was I thinking? From Bradlee International Airport to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (with a stop off in Dallas Texas).
I arrived in Fresno and can honeslty state that I did well. I was truly grateful that the flight was smooth and I was productive while on the flight.
I was in Fresno California en route to Visalia California to facilitate a workshop on cultivating efficiency in human services work.
I had prepared, studied, created and completely immersed myself in understanding my content. I was ready to gift participants my knowledge. I was sure that I would leave them inspired and motivated.
My workshop concluded and the feedback was positive. I had achieved my goals. I then set up a vendor table where I could share pamphlets with information on my consultancy services and sell copies of my memoir Rage to Peace.
All set, right?
Not excatly.
It was not even the begining of my experience. What happened to me in the next two days altered my way of thinking, feeling and being.
Based on where my vendor table was located I had a direct line of hearing to everything that was happening inside the main conference venue. I listened intensly as speaker after speaker shared their knowlege, data on the impact of gun violence on latino communities, connections to one another and the deep roots that bond us.
As I began my journey back home I felt a sense of peace in my heart and a deep gratitude for what I had been blessed to experience. Yes, I achieved my purpose for being there but I gained a greater appreciation for how as a humanity we can heal each other and carry each other through any challenges as long as we take a moment to connect to one another on a deeper level.
Thank you to all the new connections and to everyone who chose community service as a path to healing.
