Life is a Series of Lessons Disguised as Chance Meetings

Empathy can come back if we do our part

Mar 03, 2025

During COVID I think most of us had an extremely hard time. Everyone experienced it differently. Some, like myself lost their jobs. Some were deemed essential workers whom would encounter some of the saddest, and most defeating moments of this Century.

But long before the fever dream we call the pandemic, a soul touched mine on a level I never thought a celebrity would touch me. Only coming to realized at his untimely passing, we always shared a birthday.

The way Anthony Bourdain looked at the world is very much the way I do. With I am sure a handful of differences along the way. But, the one way we really vibe is our outlook on other humans.

Empathy among Americans and humans in general is a lost art. Something that has to be taught by example and nourished. We are doing our own children a disservice by continuing to allow this to occur as if it is normal.

Selfie I took upon landing in Dublin to remember just how grateful I felt in that moment. The feelings… like how is this my life? What have I don’t to deserve this opportunity?

Before my inaugural trip to Ireland in 2023, I had never left the continent of North America. I merely never had the opportunity. It changed my life.

Since then I have been able to visit two more continents and meet some of the kindest human beings from a number of backgrounds. All with stories and experiences that have left a lasting impact on my soul. Like the quote I shared above says, “travel is not a reward for working, it’s education for living.”

And in that, I wanted to share a bit of writing I am going to be doing here while continuing to keep up with our chaotic news cycle. My goal is to share some of those experiences as education, broadening the horizons here. For everyone to see and experience. I know it is a huge privilege to have this be my career now.

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I just want to be able to share these amazing humans with you. With the world. With other Americans. To see and understand from perspectives across the globe. In such a pivotal moment. While we can all use a little more empathy and compassion to fellow humans.

Because after all, life is just a series of lessons disguised as chance meetings in life.

Today I am going to start with little Leesa when we were in Zimbabwe. Because I think we both left life-long impacts on each other.

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This little nugget taught such a beautiful lesson in colors and prejudice. We go through life in a world where everyone has focused on and used the color of our skin as a way to divide people.

But that division is a taught behavior as well.

In a world where the powers that be go out of their way to divide us to they can continue to profit off of our backs… be like little Leesa.

Despite being different, she gravitated towards me. Her little fingers tracing the lines of my tattoos on my arm while she fiddled around with her Alligator keychain Bill gave her.

My bright hair didn’t scare her away or the bright colors of my skin. She was fascinated, intrigued, curious of the unknown. No bias, or preconceived notions of the way you should think of someone so different. Instead openly embracing the differences with the hope of learning. Without realizing it would be a lesson in itself.

The most innocent of experiences but such a vast lesson in humanity that will always be engrained into both of us.

I know in my heart of hearts that even though she is young, that experience will be something she will remember as time goes on. At least that is how I feel being on the other side of it.

I’ve always believed in magic, and given that her father was the natural healer of the area… that is probably as close to magic as I’ve ever been.

I only hope that one day I can make my way back there to visit her again.

Children aren’t born with bias. They are born with a curiosity of things that are different. In a climate where children are often taught to hate those who are different, we are kneecapping the development of our kids.

And for what?

A partisan divide?

It’s all bullshit and our kids deserve better.
And we can fix it before it is too late!

Thanks for taking the time to read something just a little different today.