Connected
- May 30, 2017
- 2 min read
Regardless who you are and where you're from, we are all connected via the human race.
I don't consume copious amounts of television. But, when I visit my mom, I'll sit and watch whatever she's watching.
I didn't know who John Gray was, until, sitting there with mom, watching Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday a few weeks ago. He got my attention. I watched newly the entire interview, sitting on the edge of my seat. And, as is my routine, I jotted his name and his book into the Notes app on my iPhone (this is a part of my routine, when things come to mind that I want to remember, research, or deep dive into, I get it out of my head right away).
John's book, I Am Number 8: Overlooked and Undervalued, but Not Forgotten by God is on my list to buy.
I'm a fan of Lewis Howes' show, The School of Greatness. It's a podcast, but he publishes the video content to his YouTube channel.
At this moment, I see myself sitting and talking with these two incredible gentlemen. We three share some things.
A few days later (after seeing John Gray's interview at my mom's) I'm leaving work and before driving out of the parking lot of my office, I search for a podcast or YouTube video to listen to during my commute (this is a critical part of my personal growth and development routine, instead of vegging out on radio traffic news and the 5 o'clock DJ traffic jam mix).
I get to The School of Greatness, and there's John Gray. Hmm.
Lewis' interviews are typically 40 minutes to one hour long, perfect for my rush hour commute.
This interview, is over an hour. I'm thinking, "damn, these dudes have that much to talk about?"
Then.
At different points during my commute, I nearly pulled over to collect myself.
Powerful!
Honest!
Heart felt!
Humorous!
Stirring!
Soul shaking!
Filled with vulnerability most men never see in other men. As an African American male, I may be able to count on one hand how often I've seen the men around me cry or present themselves with the level of vulnerability unfurled in this interview.
I haven't worked up my emotional stamina to listen to it again. But I will.
If you're a man reading this, be encouraged. You are not alone in your pain and secret.
If you're a woman reading this, be encouraged. There are parts of your man, that he may not know how to articulate to you. Parts he's hidden, buried, and repressed, from himself. A brokenness that he does not know how to fix. A hole that runs through and through and through him. Love him anyway.
Regardless who you are and where you're from, we are all connected via the human race.
Peace to you all.
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