The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen.

Perhaps we can only truly serve those we are willing to touch, not only with our hands but with our hearts and even our souls. Professionalism has embedded in service a sense of difference, a certain distance. But on the deepest level, service is an experience of belonging, an experience of connection to others and to the word around us. It is this connection that gives us the power to bless the life in others. Without it, the life in them would not respond to us.

Life offers its wisdom generously. Everything teaches. Not everyone learns. Life asks of us the same thing we have been asked in every class: "Stay awake." "Pay attention." But paying attention is no simple matter. It requires us not to be distracted by expectations, past experiences, labels, and masks. It asks that we not jump to early conclusions and that we remain open to surprise.

People have the natural capacity to affirm and embrace life in the most difficult of circumstances.

What we do to survive is often different from what we may need to do in order to live.

We are all born to be a blessing.

Those who bless and serve life find a place of belonging and strength, a refuge.