"It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed." – Napolean Hill
A few weeks ago I set my alarm to make sure I’d wake up early enough to attend my first Press Service International annual awards day. When I was originally invited I didn’t plan on going. I am thankful I changed my mind.
Similar Stories
Among all the stories shared during the day, one that I really connected with was from one of our hosts as she shared about her artistic journey. Her story was one unfortunately that I’ve heard from others before. The belief that she had to give up her artistic expression to serve God within a church. Thankfully she is now using her art as a way of connecting with others. More discussions are happening as a result of her pursuing what she can say through this voice.
Having had to find a new way of expressing my own voice when my life suddenly changed years ago I really connected with what she had to say. It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to share her story and discover an artist up till then I didn’t know about.
I Can Walk
Another speaker on the day shared about a missions trip he had just been on were they got to catchup with someone who had a miraculous healing during their last visit. I sat listening thinking I know what that feels like. I was sitting there all day without the excruciating nerve pain I’d lived with for too many years. Connecting with him during the break as a fellow photographer and poet was another moment I wasn’t expecting when I got in the car that morning.
Old Friends
It wasn’t until I was at the venue that I realised I should know someone else who could be attending. Years earlier I’d been awarded a grant to attend a week long arts retreat. I made a connection that week with someone that I’ve stayed in contact with since. When I started blogging for PSI I realised it was also who he had been blogging for. How it escaped my mind that he might be there I am still unsure. It was great swapping stories again after not catching up since we last caught up. He’d previously helped me install one of my exhibitions in Melbourne. The assistance people offer to give can be a refreshing source of hope for our communities.
New Friends
Among the many other bloggers that I met that day was someone who I am now working on a new creative project with. If I didn’t decide to attend not really knowing what the day would be like, having never been to one before, we wouldn’t have met.
Now we are pooling our individual talents around a shared interest and are working towards launching a new project to the public in the coming days.
The Power of Community
Four examples from just one day. The community we surround ourselves with, not only shapes our world but is an opportunity for us to shape others. I stupidly thought attending a bloggers day wouldn’t really be of any benefit because I couldn’t see how it would help me write a post every five weeks. I nearly missed out on making some life impacting connections. I’m glad I went and I look forward to the next one.
What communities are contributing to your growth?
What communities are you contributing to?
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
Next Month – What can still be learned from “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”.
Neville Hiatt’s previous posts for Press Services International can be read here. He spent a decade working for Radio Stations before his career was intermissioned by someone in a hurry to get home from work. He now runs http://nevillehiatt.com where he shares his desire to Inspire, Create, Motivate, and Educate through his photography, poetry and short stories. He also blogs for http://altcoincollege.com/ covering the way cryptocurrencies and blockchain are changing our world.
Neville Hiatt was the 2020 Press Services International Tronson Senior Writers Award Winner for Australia. His previous posts for can be read here.
He spent a decade working for Radio Stations before his career was intermissioned by someone in a hurry to get home from work. For more of his award winning creativity visit http://nevillehiatt.com.
He also blogs for http://altcoincollege.com/covering the way cryptocurrencies and blockchain are changing our world.