In this part of my journey−as I float in this second-half of life−it is a great blessing to share trust with someone both young and wise like Tara. Tara’s impact in this world is first deep, then wide. While I could write much to explain why I see what I do, I will instead tell a story of my experience with this extraordinary spirit.
On a gray winter day Tara and I met to simply catch-up over warm chicken pot-pie and a salad. In conversation that day I learned many things that unfolded into an understanding behind the beautiful flow of spirit I know as Tara. Little did I know the surprising gift she held for me.
Reflecting on a talk I gave where Tara was present, she asked, “Do you remember Allison?” As it was a group of about 25, I hated to admit that I didn’t remember anyone by that name. As my topic was Desire & Intent, my talk includes an exercise built around what I’ve learned to be a powerful question. It seems Allison was afraid to talk with me after the talk because she could not answer the question. Tara then told me about how Allison did later answer the question; and then Tara described to me the impact this was having on Allison, and the confidence-building changes she was seeing unfold for Allison.
You might think someone doing this work I do would be very conscious of such impact. I admit it, I am not as often as I must learn to be. So all the more surprising and wonderful was this gift from Tara that day. Tara’s impact in this world is clearly flowing through her unique knowledge of, and application of, love. That love is just part of who she is. Thank you Tara!
Only when I know both seed and system, self and community, can I embody the great commandment to love both neighbor and myself.
−Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak
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