Shared experiences are invitations to explore the intersections of our souls. As a small group discovered the local history of pearl farming together, the conversations during and after went far beyond the pearls. Economics, the impact of wars on an industry which thrived on wealthy people using their money for vanity instead of satisfying their insatiable need for power, and the life of those involved in harvesting were just the beginning. In a low-key, no hard selling pearls tour, we listened, asked questions, and reflected. The conversations carried over and into a shared lunch. By the end, one could trace the threads back to the morning while the specifics of the pearl farm tour were gently fading into our memories.
As I reflect on the course of the day, our shared celebration over a meal took on a new perspective. If I was to use one word to describe the day, it would be harmony. Harmony is far from being a uniform way of seeing and experiencing. Illustratively, it includes the following.
Harmony is using the diversity of our experiences, expertise, and ways of thinking as a foundation to explore and understand a subject. As the day began, it was clear this group was approaching the tour from very different perspectives. As details were shared, facts, historical perspectives, and viewpoints today, our questions were as diverse as the audience. I found myself riding a wave which was composed from a collective perspective. It was exciting and challenging to stay with it. Each added to the collective with a natural comfort born in harmony.
Harmony gives birth to a natural willingness to hear the other with patience. I experienced and witnessed a quiet manner of hearing another which expressed the desire to understand, reflect, and respond. The conversation reflected a shared effort to build on each other’s insight. In the laughter and wonder, harmony expanded to include the new ones to the group.
Over lunch, we celebrated by following the psalmist’s instruction; “Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator; Zion’s children exult in their King.” (Psalm 149.2)
