I handled the news with calmness and understanding, allowing it to pass through me. I took a purposeless stroll along the harbor. The sadness bubbled into consciousness irregularly before slowly manifesting fully in the mind. Life had made a decision for me – it was time to leave the place that I had come to love.
The emotion brought time to a standstill. Suddenly, consciousness expanded and everything held supreme value – the gentle rocking of the water, the illumination of shadows as the sun set, the complete neutrality of pedestrians going about their business.
I was confused why I was experiencing sadness; I knew it had nothing to do with the place. Then, the faces trickled into frame. The experiences washed over me. The stories became real again. I held them in my mind’s eye. The past became as clear as the present landscape that sat before me.
It is and always has been about people – relationships and connections. They are the most transcendent experiences we have the blessing to share. As I sat on that bench, eyes filled with tears, the depth and wisdom of sadness made it obvious. It is never and has never been about awards, accolades, places, money, or material possessions. Life is best lived by creating connections and experiences with the people we wish to share them with.
At QHP, we live by our values, and the foundation – our source, the place from which the rest flows – is genuine, authentic connection. It is a space where we share, give, trust, and even be vulnerable with each other. Our crafts are mere vessels to explore this fundamental truth. People matter most. Connection is the most meaningful pursuit.
