So the other day I was in a cab on the way to a meeting, lost in thought over the all-important pitch for the impending business meet, when suddenly I couldn’t help but notice the incredibly sweet and calming melodies all around me, and found myself asking the driver about their source.
At this simple question, the outwardly quiet and reserved man who had answered the call for the cab and who I would have otherwise had little if no interaction with – so focused was I on my own stuff and discreet was he – immediately came to life.
A huge smile spread across his features and his eyes lit right up as he went on to tell me about the music that was clearly a great passion; written and performed by a series of artists he adored from his country of origin, Iran.
We proceeded to engage in an interesting and spirited exchange about the musicians and their methodology that culminated in his sharing of their names and latest works with me. Accordingly, I looked forward to adding some of their wonderful songs to my personal library and thanked him profusely for the share.
As I disembarked from the car en route to the meeting, I couldn’t help but press the pause button on work stuff and be moved by the simple and lively discussion.
It reminded me just how interesting and unique we all are, how much we have to share, and how much we can learn from each other and enrich each other’s lives … simply by talking.
In an era dangerously threatened by divisive bullies and haters who seek to divide and isolate rather than promote love and unity, the lesson was a powerful one.