I love the randomness of spontaneous, heartspace conversations.
They can happen outside the classroom, on a couch waiting for kids to finish their fitness routine, at the playground, in the queue at the fruit shop, even by text message.
Last week, I had the most illuminating conversation with a mum whose toddler slept on her lap as she talked. We were waiting for our kids in martial arts class when she suddenly asked "So what do you do?"
I mentioned my office administrator job and added that I run women's workshops at the local CC and help women who are stuck in their lives, procrastinating, need a new direction etc.
Her response took my breath away.
"I don't know why, but I was feeling this energy in the room, and I didn't know where it came from. The first time I saw you, the impression in my mind was CHANGE - that you have something to do with change and changing people's lives. I'm not surprised (that you say you help women)."
We went on to have a profound conversation around her career and life goals.
Yesterday, I remembered that I had promised to text a lady who lives in Manor Lakes about getting together for a cuppa.
I have never met this lady. Her contact was given to me by the CC who thought she might be interested in my workshops.
What eventuated was a couple of phone conversations around areas of her life she is struggling with at the moment.
So I texted as I promised, even though a part of me wondered if she still remembered who I was and the context of our last conversation.
I suggested we meet for a coffee next Mon after my yogalates class. She said yes, and signed off her text message with "Blessings, S" - which is exactly the way I sign off in emails and text messages.
How cool is that?
I'm looking forward to actually meeting her in person.
On Sat, Miss J was invited to her friend Ruby's birthday party and I got to meet her dad A for the first time.
(It always happens - you meet the mum at school practically everyday and the dad, maybe at parent-teacher interviews or the school concert or when mum is sick.)
I came away struck by how different A is compared to most guys.
For one, he had face paint on, just like the kids. In fact, he was Spiderman. Very cool dad.
This morning, that impression solidified for me when he greeted me as I was leaving Miss J's classroom.
For a second, I thought he'd mistaken me for someone else cos I didn't recognize him at all.
Then I thought, I've only met one new person over the weekend...
"So how did Jordanne go with the party on Sat?" he asked.
Sigh of relief/recognition.
"Sorry - I didn't recognize you without your face paint," I apologized.
We went on to have the most inspiring conversation, the kind that leaves you feeling elevated when you walk away.
We talked about his music producer job, time for the family, his interactions with the First People in NT...
Funnily, we talked about his attitude towards people of different backgrounds and cultures.
I say funnily because on Sun morning, someone at church engaged me on the same topic.
I say funnily because right after my encounter with A, as I was standing in the queue at the fruit shop, a lovely elderly gent with big black glasses and a tweed cap started chatting with me.
It's the sort of conversation I imagine most people in a hurry might find mildly annoying, esp from a stranger.
I learned that his name is Pepa (pronounced "Pepe"), that he's French, walks to the Plaza every morning, learned Japanese from a beautiful teacher, loves Asian people, and believes all of us - whatever our skin colour - come from the same Big Boss Above.
Loved his sense of humour and his delight with just being alive and in the moment.
When I asked how is he, he said "I have no complaints".
I hope I have the same attitude when I get to his age.
So in one week alone I've had discussions on race with 2 Aussies and one French - all men.
Fascinating. Wonder what God is trying to teach me?
