I walked into the restaurant for a casual business meeting. I turned to re-experience a now familiar mural. In the reflection, something within me said the mural was different. I did not know what or how. I just knew that something had changed.
As the meeting progressed, I caught myself looking at the mural, trying to see what was new. In an inspirational moment, I went back to the original picture on my phone and realised that it was not about anything new. The focus was not on what had been added. It was about what was no longer there. A person in the mural had disappeared.
As the evening gave way to night, I saw someone standing in front of the mural. Initially, I thought it was for a picture. As I moved closer, I realised she was painting, giving some of the characters more details and nuances.
“Would you like to be introduced?”
The conversation that followed was fantastic. The artist was gracious, patient, and open to my questions. From the overall scene itself to the missing character, and to the additions underway, no question went unanswered. Her gracious kindness and patience were amazing. I experienced the nobody role in an old piece of advice; “Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.” (Romans 12.16)
With her actions as inspiration, I find myself holding reminders as today begins.
Life is more than the tasks at hand. Life is found in the dialogue and relationships we have in the moment that is now. Our conversation meant that her mural was going to take more time to complete. In her gift of conversation and time, the moments were enriched.
We are all equal in the greater story. In my mind, artists are amazing gifts to any community. With our dialogue, I found myself accepted, out in the open, and in a safe space.
Inspiration is a calling to accept it as a gift and act on it as a step towards a better future. Welcome to today.
