It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all began with an idea to open a space where people could sit down for a conversation. This would be a safe space based on opportunity: See a chair, sit down and talk.

I wanted to go to places where people frequented, where I could set up two chairs and be available to chat if someone sat down. Yet it never occurred to me that this would be hard for me to do.

My first time felt unnatural. Setting up in a parking lot, I sat with an empty chair beside me, a small table in between to create the appearance of a ‘welcoming’ space. I had my flowered hat on to brighten up the area. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and self conscious imagining that people were thinking I was an oddity as they saw me. To make it easier on me, I read a book, looking up briefly as people drove by - some with smiles, others stares, most looked as if they didn’t see me.

I had one person stop. A truck with odds and ends in the back rolled up, and stopped, engine idling as the man inside spoke. “What ya selling?” he asked. “Nothing,” I shouted over the engine. “I’m inviting people to have a conversation.” “What?” he yelled. I repeated my initial response. He looked at me, paused, as it was obvious that was the last thing he wanted. “Nice hat,” he said before driving away.

Hopes dashed, I resumed reading before leaving moments later. This idea was not going as I expected, and I wasn’t sure it ever would. Wagon? Check. Chairs? Check. Willingness to be open to strangers? At that moment, it was unclear if it would have a positive outcome. I did not know if I had what it took to show up personally.

Pull Up a Chair - Conversations to Thrive were meant for others. I just did not imagine it was meant for me as well.