“Every person is a reflection of who you are. We are all mirrors, and those you see are reflections of yourself.”

They say it take twenty-one days for something to become a habit. I propose it takes thirty-two days for something to become a magnet.

It was the day before a big commercial shoot I was directing, and the day after one week away, I had a lot of catching up to do. On top of that, my producer was out with a killer migraine, leaving a bunch of pre-shoot details in my hands. No worries though, I was more concerned about him than the day’s list of objectives, and knowing that things always work out, I rolled up my sleeves, readjusted my schedule of priorities and hit the road.

First stop, Enterprise Rent a Car for a cargo van; it wasn’t ready–one hour behind. Second destination, tech-check; traffic delayed on way to location–one-and-a-half hours behind. Third task, pick-up expendables–two hours were down and I was not even to my list yet. Bu.t there was a hidden blessing in all. It was called Out-of-Frame, a great little resource shop and the only place I could find the Gatorboard we needed for the shoot.

With list in hand, I was greeted by Marie, one of the business owners, and you guessed it, my intuition asked me to invite her to be interviewed.

Our connection was instant, and not to be unkind to my producer (at home with a terrible headache), I was thankful to be the one picking up the slack in his absence. If all things happen for a reason, then I suppose he was meant to have the day off. Thus, placing me in the right place at the right time.

Marie was a vibrant, intelligent businesswoman with a past of building successful businesses. Well traveled and cultured, she was a breath of fresh air in an industry that can be hurried and impersonal.

The photo we took was a true reflection of her presence. It was not forced, rather, a picture of her as she was during our conversation.

We talked of human nature, yoga and shared our thoughts of the world around us. On these notes, Marie made an incredibly profound statement, “Every person is a reflection of who you are. We are all mirrors, and those you see are reflections of yourself.”

I know, a very heavy statement. My interpretation. Whether we choose to or not, we put ourselves in situations to be of influence to others. At many times attracted to people, places, things and experiences that are reflective of our mental and spiritual self; sort of a readjusted “what you see is what you get” theory. The result being, “what you do is who you are.” That leading to, “who you are is who you’re with.” Then back to, “who you’re with is what you do.” Kind of deep, isn’t it?

Another, and perhaps easier way to look at the above statements is this common phrase, “water somehow seems to seek its own level.” Sums up the theses in a succinct way.

Maria and I had a great discussion. One that I knew was supposed to happen, as it was a testimony builder of the power of intuition in how I was directed to meet Marie.

There are so many wonderful people around. Sidewalk Ghosts is teaching us to not take anyone at face value. To literally step out of our comfort zones in openness to reach out. It gets dicey at times, and puts us in a vulnerable place to have doors slammed in our faces. But the payoff is worth the risk. A people meeting gamble that, after only thirty-one days of extending myself to others; had put me on a path to becoming a better person.

A magnet philosophy was developing in my life. A good attracts good challenge that to this day I campaign in asking us all to extend what good we can. The more of us who do, the greater the momentum of the train we are creating can be, and I’m just holding on to be part of the ride.

The fact is; I am absolutely clueless as to how far this journey can take us. Yet there is a peace inside of me that boldly whispers, it will be to a good place.

Talk tomorrow my good friends,

Richard

Readers, if you are returning, so nice to be with you again. If you are new, looking forward to getting to know you.

To all: please comment, like, and forward. Every engagement goes a long way toward connecting us; as together, we grow a movement that betters the way we view and treat one another.