In the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love

The sun was shining brightly, and the area along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia was already bustling with people when we arrived. Runners, bikers, and walkers filled the path along the river, as they enjoyed the late morning sun. Daffodils were in full bloom and tulips were just beginning to blossom. Light pink cherry blossoms were at their peak along the river. The green leaves on trees were just beginning to come out. Though a bit breezy, the morning was beautiful, to see so much life - human and nature - bursting around us. 

It was a spectacular day for our first ever Walk, Talk, and Listen event to be held in the City of Brotherly Love. It was the perfect city in which to have it. We were located directly between the world-class Philadelphia Art Museum and the iconic Boathouse Row of classic rowing clubs. In fact, there was a rowing regatta going on just north of us on the river. The city was alive with activity. 

A good crowd of people came out to be part of our event. There were members of another listening organization very interested in our work, foreign students from as far away as India and Myanmar, area leaders in healthcare, business, education, friends and supporters of our mission, along with some of our family members, and several Someone To Tell It To team members. Great interest was expressed in our work and the very evident need for it in this climate of increasing loneliness and disconnection. 

We were able to have a multitude of conversations about what we do and how and why we do it; it was a marvelous few hours of connecting, walking, sharing, and listening to old and new friends’ stories. For our first event in this city where our country was born, the encouragement we received and the interest of those who have been reaching out to us since the event, we are very heartened and grateful. 

One of the most memorable, among many memorable conversations we had, was with the two college students who came to the event together, one from India and the other from Myanmar. They don’t drive here and don’t have a vehicle if they could. But they took a bus and rode 40 minutes to where we were. They were so intent on learning more and understanding in a deeper way what we do. The young woman from Myanmar spoke of how it was a monumental step to come to the United States, having no connections here and funding only two others who spoke Burmese, her country's native language, after she arrived. It was a lonely and sometimes frightening and isolating time, knowing no one and coming to such a different culture so far from home. Knowing the complicated and repressive political climate - with a currently ongoing civil war which has displaced 2,000,000 people within the country, in addition to the thousands who have fled from it - in Myanmar, it was incredible to meet a young woman here who was able to come to the United States to study. Her ambition is to study and be involved in business and politics, making listening her priority in order to help bring people together, to live in greater unity and peace. 

That’s a pretty noble ambition. We hope she is able to help achieve it for her country. And ultimately, wouldn’t it be a great ambition for the entire world?

If we can continue to help the world to listen and to be listened to, all of this is worth it. To meet someone such as this young woman, who has dreams of changing the course of her country, was an immense privilege. She made quite an impression on us. This is why we do what we do, to help enable such noble and lofty dreams to come true; as well as the smaller and quieter dreams that we all have to be connected deeply with others, to be able to know and be known, and to simply be loved for who we are.

When you walk, talk, and listen you just never know what noble and beautiful things you’ll hear - and love.