the july project in retrospect

the further and further i got into this project, the more it came to mean to me.  as the rest of the summer went on, i was able to make more immediate connections with others by carrying with me a sense of openness and vulnerability, which I found drew honest responses out of others.  

when i came back to BYU for school, my experience during the first semester of my sophomore year was a different one than it had been my freshman year, and i attribute most of that progression to the things i learned in new york and the people that i met there, and the way in which i learned how to connect with such an array of people.

thank you to my dear 31 strangers for your contributions to this project.  may we all continue to look to find bits of wisdom from everything and everyone that we can throughout this one short, amazing life that we have been given!

july 31: renato, serafina restaurant

i was eating at serafina when i realized that it was the last day of this project.  i made conversation with my waiter and explained to him what the "wisdom from strangers" thing was all about, and asked him if he would do the honors of offering an extra-special bit of advice to finish off this project with a bang.

he told me, "don't forget that just as each of these people have shared with you valuable bits of wisdom, there is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom within you.  never underestimate yourself!"

july 30: erica, loehmanns department store

first, i overheard erica giving her friend this advice over the phone.  i listened, intrigued, and then introduced myself and talked with her for a little while as we were shopping around in the same section at loenmann's.

the genius statement that first drew me to her was this:

"feelings come naturally.  don't worry so much about those.  but do pay attention to what you let your mind do with those feelings.  the way that you respond to everyday life occurrences make up the person that you are... they shape your character and how well you can deal with issues that come along.  don't be overly dramatic."

july 29: chalyce, red TKTS steps in times square

chalyce and i chatted for a little while in the busy atmosphere of times square before it was time for me to leave to see a broadway show (student tickets rock my world).

one thing that she said that stuck out to me was,

"you never know what you are going to want a year from now, or even a few years from now, so its always smart to keep all options open.  never do anything to limit yourself or to offend anyone in a way that would limit your possible opportunities for the future.. you never know when you just might be wishing you could call someone up for a favor, a job interview, or support for any sort of project."

july 28: noah, magnolia bakery

noah recommended the icebox cake to me at magnolia bakery.

he said that it is just like the way that life goes if you are living right:  you work really hard for a while and cultivate yourself as a person as much as you can, then you put things in their proper place and order, and then you just be patient and let it sit for a little while.  the next thing you know, you'll be diving into something extraordinary, and it will almost seem too easy!

july 27: julie, washington square park

i was sitting pretty close to julie, who was talking on her cell phone for the first ten minutes that i had been sitting there reading.  not meaning to eavesdrop, i heard and loved something that she said:

"well be happy that life is still hard.  that means that there is more for you to still do and become -- it means that God hasn't given up on you as a person."

we talked after she got off of the phone, and she is an incredibly practical, optimistic person.  she left me feeling like i was the coolest 19 year old in the world.  interesting, huh? i have found that the most dynamic people out there have a tendency of making other people feel as though they are the great ones. i want to be like this-- one who validates others the way she does!

west coast wisdom

here is a profound bit of wisdom pulled from a comment left on one of these posts by lynette (my dear friend hailey's mom):
[INSERT THE NAME OF YOUR TOWN/CITY HERE] seems to be one thing on the surface, but as you take the time to REALLY get to know someone -or show sincerity and wonder in your interactions with others, you will find unimaginable diversity here. Everyone has a story worth telling. Sometimes the most MOLLY [stereotypical] Moms of all can shock your shorts if you get to know their journey. Life is never as it appears on the surface of the glistening pond. And there is a LOT churning in the places least expected. Keep your eyes open and your heart will become swollen by the stories of those you pass every day. The trick is in the seeing -in the vulnerability and compassion you share that allows people to open up. If you allow yourself to be vulnerable and imperfect, people will come out from behind their masks and really show you who they are.

there is a little bit of utah-bred wisdom for you for today!