CHANGES

Years ago, as I was preparing to leave behind everything and everyone I knew in Washington, DC and beginning to make my journey across the country to this City of San Francisco, my good friend Danny with whom I volunteered regularly at the local youth center, gave me a going-away gift. He and I had bonded over the years and we had many conversations about ex-boyfriends and life and struggles and our place in the world. He was very special to me. His gift was a wooden framed, hand-painted piece which hosted the beautiful poem below:

Listen to Your Heart

If you can live
the life you believe in
you will have everything you need
to reach your dream.

Just look into your heart
and you'll find confidence in yourself
that will make each challenge
easier to face. . .

You'll discover the hope
that will keep you believing. . .
you'll find an inner strength
that will help you past obstacles. . .
and you'll see the happiness
that's waiting for you
if you keep trying. . .

The struggle for any dream
is always worth the effort,
For in the struggle lies its
Strength and fulfillment. . .

If you listen to your heart
you will reach your dream
--Larry S. Chengges

I had actually forgotten about it for a while as it was in my office in a place I rarely looked. I then packed it up along with my other personal office effects over the last several months as I prepared to leave my job. As I was unpacking these boxes in my apartment this week I ran across it again. It's been helpful and a positive influence as I begin a new journey into the unknown. And I feel Danny with me. And I feel he's encouraging me, even when I have my own private doubts. And that makes me smile.