52 People

Stranger 16 – Part I…

I’m a serial book buyer. 

In attempts to be more cost conscious, I went and got a library card a few years ago. I gave it a fair shot, but honestly, I have a hard time giving the books back after I’ve read them. I like to showcase them on my bookshelf like beastly trophies fresh from the taxidermist. 

This drives my wife crazy. She loves that I read, she just wants me to reduce my consumption and borrow instead of buy. As much as I tell her I’m going to stop buying, I just can’t stop myself from going to Chapters and returning home with the latest book. My wife has developed an expert eye and is quick to notice when my reading queue grows by a few inches. 

‘Did you get another book?” She asks rhetorically, shaking her head as if she already knows the answer.

“Yeah, but it’s the last one for a while” I say sheepishly, fully knowing the whole time that I’m really not telling the truth.

I think she might be on to me.

Despite all of this, I found myself walking through the aisles at Chapters for the second time this week. Curiously scanning the biographies, perusing through the self-help section and reading the backs of all the ‘books with a buzz’  became quite exhausting. I decided to take a break and stroll around and locate a stranger.

I spotted him immediately. Standing in the home and garden section, he was flipping through a book. Dressed in jeans he had a rugged, charismatic, man’s man look to him and a soft gentle voice that reverberated kindness. 

1)What is your dream job?

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about that lately and I really don’t have a clue. Honestly, I’ve been batting around that question for the last year, so I just don’t know. If I knew, I’d pursue it but I just don’t have a clue.”

2)What fulfills you? “My animals I guess. I’ve got a farm just outside of town. I look after horses and we do dog rescue and stuff like that. It’s the unconditional love I guess.”

3)What is your greatest fear?

“Speaking in public. Oh yeah! I did it in university and I just died. I don’t know it’s just completely exposing or something, it’s tough.”

Check back Wednesday for part II…

Stranger 15 – Part I…

I love the freedom that comes with working from home, but you can develop cabin fever slaving away all day in the same place you eat and sleep. So, I made a commitment to get out of the house a few time s a week and work somewhere different.

My first non-home work location was going to be at Starbucks. Great atmosphere, free internet, and great coffee. How could I possibly go wrong?

The pungent aroma of espresso penetrated my nostrils as the door swung open. I dropped my bag in a chair to claim my spot at a large study table and I went to get a coffee. 

Upon my return, a table companion set up shop just across from me. She had shoulder length blond hair and already had papers spread beside her computer. I placed my coffee down and took my seat. A combination between the way I was sitting and an obstructing light that hung in front of us, prevented any direct eye contact.

We worked in front of each other for over three hours. The only communication between us was when she’d periodically step on the extension cord, momentarily knocking the power out on our table. 

“Sorry!” she exclaimed each time, appearing slightly embarrassed about her clumsy maneuver.

After I had completed my work for the day, I started to pack up. I slid the computer into my bag, followed by my books. I contemplated whether or not to interview this stranger in front of me. A conversation with my self took place inside my head. 

“Should I?“

“I don’t know, I’ve been working all day and am a bit tired…”

Back and forth this went, until reason chimed in. 

“The mere fact you are debating this tells me you should just do it!” 

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

I leaned out from behind the light and tilted my head out  of the glare so she could see me. I introduced myself with my most charming smile.

She looked up, her eyes had the red glassy tinge that you develop after spending hours staring at the computer screen. She smiled and politely listened as I made my pitch. 

In less than ten minutes I learned a lot about this mother of two, who runs her own business as a consultant for emergency services; working with groups she admires and believes in. 

1)What is your dream job? 

“That’s a great question. A dream job for me, I don’t necessarily have what it is, but I know what it would look like. Just in terms of, for me it’s a balance between my home and my work life is what I look for most. So it’s not necessarily the job itself. For me the requirements would be something that makes a difference in the broader community. So, it’s not necessarily profit based, it’s just something that makes a difference that way. It’s something where I’m able to accommodate my family as much as I would accommodate a client or a work project. I think it’s just a project where I  leave at the end of the day and can feel like I’ve made a bigger difference beyond me and beyond the company.”

2)What fulfills you? 

“First and foremost it would be my sons, the two of them. Work wise my fulfillment really comes quite simply from a client that would use me again. That’s one of my biggest ones. Uhm, and just regular weekly, daily acknowledgment of a good job. It doesn’t have to be anything profound, it’s just a regular ‘Hey, great job’.”

3)What’s your greatest fear? 

“Wow…dying. Not being able to see all of the amazing things that I think are going to continue in this world, including my son’s lives. It’s just I think every day has something different and unique to offer, and to not be able to see that anymore is so disappointing to me.”

Check back Wednesday for Part II…

Stranger 14 – Part I

From baby shower to bachelors party…

It was a busy Saturday. 

My wife and I rushed home from a peaceful two night stay away from the city. We quickly cleaned ourselves up and drove over to the baby shower. Friends and family gathered together to honor the new baby boy who will grace the world with his presence in the next few weeks. It was a few enjoyable hours of gifts, finger food and catching up with old friends before we had to rush out of there and on to the next engagement. My next stop – to meet up with the rest of the group from a bachelors party that had begun earlier in the day. 

I got home, changed my clothes, grabbed my pocket recorder and went to a karaoke bar to meet the rest of the gang. Not knowing what to expect on this evening, I was certain I was going to find stranger number 14.

There she was, sitting alone up at the bar. Her brown eyes quickly scanned the half empty room before slowly descending onto her glass filled with vodka and coke. Pushing her long black hair behind her ear, she sipped her drink before making small talk with the bartender. Briefly glancing at the large screen displaying the hockey game, she appeared uninterested. The cycle started all over again as she scanned the room…

Other than our end of the pub, the place wasn’t very busy, maybe half full. It was still very early, about 7:30 and the group of guys were relatively tame so I figured now was probably the best time to make the move. I slid away from the table un-noticed and approached the young lady. Pocket recorder in hand, I walked up and took temporary residence on the stool next to her. I introduced myself and made a bit of small talk with her before explaining the meaning behind 52 people. Putting on my best charm, I asked her to be stranger 14. She put on a furrowed brow and grimaced at the thought of being interviewed. She fell silent for a short period before I repeated my request. Staring off into space she finally nodded in agreement.

Stranger 14 is a 31 year old business administration student named Kelsey…

1) If you could create your dream job what would it be?  

“Uhm… owning my own bar. Because like,  I spend enough time in there I’d know how to run one.”

2) What fulfills you?

“Friends and family. Yah, Just being with them, laughing. I don’t know, just like having good friends, having good company and good times. I don’t know…”

3)What is your greatest fear? 

“Snakes. They fucking move man! like they don’t have legs and they move and they jump and ewww!”

Check Back Wednesday for part II…

Stranger 13 Part I…

I pulled out my scissors, glue stick and ran to the closest Walmart to buy a huge piece of poster board. It was time to create my five year vision board.

After hours of creative inspiration my vision board was a completed masterpiece. Amongst the photos and symbols was a detailed story of the impact I will have on helping people realize their greatness. There were images of influential people I admire in the world and descriptions of how I will work alongside them to create change and transformation on a global level. The creation of this vision board in early January set in motion powerful forces that have manifested into reality. 

I have been an admirer of Dr. John Demartini and his work for several years. I had read some of his books and had experienced his methodology through another mentor and had sat in the audience during one of his impassioned speeches a year prior. I have never seen someone speak as passionately as he does about his life’s work. A modern day philosopher and educator, he has written over 40 books and has been published in 14 different languages.

It was April 2nd, and people lined up to shake his hand, offer thanks, or to get their book signed, while I lingered in the back pacing back and forth. The crowd dissipated and I slowly made my way towards him. I spotted an opportunity and dove in, extending my hand. He made eye contact with me, preparing to extend his, when an enthusiastic lady jumped in front of me, requesting an autograph from John while waving a copy of his latest book at him. 

Like a skilled aircraft pilot I quickly turned, banking with the wind and retreated around the corner to avoid the awkwardness. My mouth became unbearably dry as I waited, so I finagled a piece of gum from my wife to stimulate my salivary glands. She offered me a few words of encouragement while I internally debated my return. But this interview had to be done.

Confident that at least my breath was fresh, I bravely marched around the corner to face Dr. Demartini. I made my pitch- quickly explaining 52 people, and asked if he’d be stranger 13. I waited for his response…

“Tonight?” he asked.

“If you can” I replied, nervously waiting.

“Ah…sure. Give me a few minutes and I’ll come get you”.

13 weeks ago I started this little idea called 52 people and now here I was, waiting to interview a man who was part of  “The Secret”, who has inspired millions of people worldwide, and who sits next to President Barack Obama on my vision board.

1) What is your dream job?

“Well my dream job is what I’m doing. I love researching, writing,traveling, and teaching it. I love stepping foot inside countries around the world. I love inspiring people, helping recognize their magnificence and help them see they are really here to live extraordinary and amazing lives, and I love doing it. I love watching people’s lives change in front of me. It’s one of the most inspiring things I know I can do and I can’t wait to get up in the morning to do that.”

2) What fulfills you?

“Same thing, I mean I did 427 speeches in 2007, 402 speeches in 2008, I’m not sure if this year is going to break the 400 mark, but close to it.  And I’m working on a bunch of books and I’m researching every day and that’s what I’m getting ready to do when I get back to the hotel tonight. ‘You have known me what, 9 years?’ (pointing to the gentleman beside him) Dr. Bruce Hoffman, who has known me 9 years is standing here, and he is a scholar in his own right and a great healer and as he would tell you, I pretty well do this every day and it is what I love doing.”

3) What is your greatest fear?

“Greatest fear? Structuring managing and organizing the vast visions that I see for the work that I’m doing across the world. Delegating and organizing and putting that together, the entire infrastructure of that. That’s probably the greatest challenge that I face, is putting that infrastructure together.”

Check back Wednesday for part II…

Dr. John Demartini (http://www.drdemartini.com/pages/about.html)