I met Linda Viner after a 5K race. Linda blew away her age group and I was fortunate in mine. Despite her achievement that morning, Linda was ready for more. Linda is a nationally ranked Tower Runner. Those are the competitive stair climbers who travel the world racing up the tallest buildings. But she didn’t always feel like a champion.
People who learn chess at an early age enjoy positive cognitive benefits in analytical and decision-making skills. These are the important lessons Jessica Prescott serves up daily at Over the Chessboard. An educator and former #1 ranked woman chess player in North Carolina, Jessica offers lessons, school programs, summer camps, a book, newsletter, Facebook page and much more – all connecting kids to chess and the many life lessons it provides.
I made a choice not to care on Tuesday, when, along with 91% of my fellow eligible primary voters, I found more important things to do than to decide the future of Charlotte. I cared more about where to have lunch, what movie to see next, or how late to sleep Sunday morning than I did about my next Mayor and City Council.
This curious redheaded boy was always in my childhood room, no matter where we lived. My parents must have believed he would spark the same curiosity in me. Whatever its origin, I’m making the choice to hold onto my curiosity, to keep looking past the horizon, to explore each new idea for as long as I am able.
Jeremy says, “There are no answers here. Just stories.” Yet, I want answers in my life, not just stories. Answers help me plan my day and prepare my tomorrows. Answers help me sleep better. I stay tucked in with answers. Without answers, I work my sheets loose at night. One leg sticks out, kicking at the questions in the night.
Years ago, it was common to ask people where they went to church. Today, the question sounds more like “…do you have a place of worship?” or “…what is your faith tradition?” The question has changed because the choice of answers has changed.
I had not looked deeply at street art until Brian sent me some examples. He has been collecting images for years – looking for answers to what these artist are trying to say. Now I look at street art differently – with more interest – asking the same questions.
“I truly believe everything we do and everyone we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we’re all teachers (and students) – if we’re willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks …” – Marla Gibbs
I like coffee meetings; with old friends or someone I am meeting for the first time. These quiet settings are also my choice if we are patching up differences or trying to reach a middle ground from opposite starting points. Like many, I didn’t think it mattered much where we met as long as the conversation was productive.
Many years ago, trolleys were at the heart of Charlotte – they connected everything. Our grandparents took trolleys to work, to school, to shop, and to worship. Today’s trolleys will provide the same benefits for neighborhoods to the west and east of our core and will prove to be equally wise.