“Those who tell the stories rule the world.” — Hopi American Indian proverb

I love striking up conversations with people from all walks of life, especially those who have walked down paths I know nothing about. I try to have these conversations as often as I can, because I am always struck by the wisdom I discover in each and every one.

Earlier this week as my family vacationed at Blackberry Farm in the Great Smoky Mountains, I met a forest ranger named Dwight. Dwight taught me the history of the forests, the wisdom of the plants, and how to remain calm if I ever lost my way in the woods. (He’s got a book called “Lost!: A Ranger’s Journal of Search and Rescue” that I look forward to reading.)

I also met a vegetable gardener named John. John fell in love with vegetable drawings when he was a young boy and parlayed his interest into becoming one of the greatest gardeners in our country. (He’s also got a new book coming out that’s all about his journey to preserve our roots.) Ask John about tomatoes or garlic or seeds and he will give you a history lesson on each and tell you what to eat, when. (Only eat tomatoes when they’re in season, which is right now, he said. Otherwise, you’re eating engineered food.)

I also met Matthew, a beekeeper who fell in love with bees as a boy. He taught me more about the necessity of bees than I’ve learned in a lifetime. (One thing he taught me was that bees work themselves to death, literally. That’s certainly not something worth emulating.)

Then there was Alyssa, a young farmer who worked in public health before she came to Blackberry Farm. She said it wasn’t long before she fell in love with animals and had her life healed by them. When I asked how, she told me that working with animals (and cleaning up after them every day) had humbled her and taught her the importance of forgiveness.

“I realized that by taking their shit and putting it in the compost every day, I was helping regenerate life,” she said. “I thought about that—throwing my mistakes in the garbage and using it to bring life to new things—and I just saw everything differently. I healed myself, I forgave myself and I saw that my shit could also help others.”

Alyssa, whose face was young and bright, smiled widely when I told her that her story moved me.

“Really?” she said. “Wow, thank you.”

Being in nature this week with my kids opened my heart and mind. It made me realize, yet again, that there is wisdom, healing, love, joy and forgiveness everywhere we turn.

The truth is, I wouldn’t have learned that Dwight saved over 100 lost souls in the forest unless I had asked him a few questions. I wouldn’t have learned about Matthew’s love of bees or John’s love of vegetables or Alyssa’s love of animals had I not stepped forward and spoke to them.

Curiosity drives me. It always has. With age, though, I’ve come to realize that listening is the key to learning. I’ve discovered that it’s one thing to be curious, but if you don’t listen, then you can’t get to the heart of someone’s wisdom.

We hear a lot in the media about so-called thought leaders. They attend big conferences, give impressive TED talks and write best-selling books about politics, culture and the state of our state. They each have something to teach us, but when I really step back and think about it, I realize that my deepest wisdom has come from the teachers that live amongst us.

These everyday people may not be running big businesses or speaking at big conferences, but they are leading lives of tremendous passion and purpose. More often than not, they are following their hearts’ wisdom and aren’t concerned with how society labels them. They can teach you everything you need to know about life because their wisdom comes from studying our Earth’s plants, vegetables, flowers, animals, the wind and the stars.

I consider our Sunday Paper writers to be among these teachers, and I consider you to be one as well. Yes, you. Think about all the wisdom you have garnered throughout your life—be it from raising kids, teaching others, loving someone or tending to a garden or a broken heart. For sure, you have garnered wisdom that can heal another person’s life.

So when a curious person asks you a question, share what you think and what you feel. Share your knowledge. Share your heartbreak. Share the mistakes you have made and the lessons you have learned.

There is no doubt in my mind that the wisdom you have to share can change a life. There is also no doubt in my mind that everyone around you has something to teach you.

That’s what happened to me this week as I wandered deep in into the Great Smoky Mountains among nature and stillness. I went in one way and came out the other with just a little more wisdom than before.

Love,

Dear God, thank you for the wisdom and the wonder of all that surrounds me. Thank you for the flowers, the animals, the stars and the trees. Thank you for the people and the places that have something to teach me. Amen.

INSPIRING VIEWS ABOVE THE NOISE

Exclusive Q & A: Actress Geena Davis Opens Your Eyes to the Unconcious Gender Bias in Media

Academy-Award® winning actress Geena Davis has become a leading advocate for gender equality in the media. In this exclusive Q & A for The Sunday Paper, Davis talks about the strides she’s made through her Institute on Gender in Media, as well as her upcoming documentary “This Changes Everything.” 

Finding Light in a Chaotic World: Author Debra Landwehr Engle Has 10 Steps to Help You Find It

Though we may be living in emotionally difficult times, author Debra Landwehr Engle says there are ways we can stay true to our spiritual principles. In her latest book “Be the Light That You Are,” Engle helps us find peace in a time of chaos and display divine light in a world that appears to be increasingly dark and ominous.

Which Foods Can Beat Disease? Christina Schwarzenegger Finds Out.

My daughter and Sunday Paper editor-at-large Christina Schwarzenegger recently spoke with author Dr. William Li for Goop to discuss the healing foods that keep our body heathy. 

Who Are the Real Heroes of Today? Best-Selling Author Elizabeth Lesser Says to Look Around You.

During the Fourth of July festivities, SP columnist and best-selling author Elizabeth Lesser was struck by all the attention our country pays to war and war heroes and not enough to the efforts of ordinary people–”the mothers and fathers, the teachers and nurses, the farmers and earth stewards.” 

Stoneman Douglas Graduate Jammal Lemy Inspires You to Get Creative About Making a Difference

After losing his best friend, Joaquin Oliver, in the February 2018 Parkland shooting, Architect of Change Jammal Lemy became the creative director of March For Our Lives. Our SP youth columnist Amelie Zilber recently spoke with Lemy about how he’s using his art to empower change. 

NEWS ABOVE THE NOISE

1. The Sunday Paper Architect of Change of the Week: Serena Williams. Though she may have lost to Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final Saturday, Serena Williams has always been a gutsy athlete, and in this unretouched cover story for Harpers Bazaar, she proves to be smart and outspoken, stating why she’ll never regret using her voice to “speak out against injustice.” 

2. News to Make You Think: Instagram’s War On Bullying. It’s about time social media does more to crack down on bullying. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri is having his team do “extensive research, roll out new features and change company protocol, all with bullying in mind.” 

3. News You May Have Missed: Gender Gap in Car Safety Is Leaving Women at Risk. Though life-saving features in cars are improving, a new study finds that women still face a much higher risk than men of being seriously injured or killed in a crash. 

4. News You Can Use: How to Overcome Fatigue. It’s a common complaint, especially in older adults. Here are some interesting new findings on fatigue and what you can do to feel more refreshed. 

5. News for Your Brain Health: Ways to Fit While Having Fun This Summer. Most of us like to take a break, relax, and have fun during the summer. The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement advisory board member Michael Merzenich reveals the best fun and games for your brain this summer. 

6. Our Yippee! Moment of the Week: Mindy Kaling. Yippee for Mindy! The actress/writer, who recently shared bikini-clad photos of herself on Instagram, wants to encourage other women to love their bodies, regardless of size or shape.

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