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200 words, coffee, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, God, Homelessness, integrity, lessons, life, listen, living in the moment, love, poverty, Purpose, Who I am
When love and skill work together… expect a masterpiece. ~ John Ruskin
Photo credit: 2jere2beseder.com
Friday was a beautiful, sunny day so my bestest friend invited me for coffee on our favourite bench in Tomkins Park.
As soon as we sat down, Michael rode in on his bike with an important message on his heart.
The most life-changing lessons I have learned over the years, have come from people experiencing homelessness.
One can learn a lot about what is important from those who have very little.
“Who you are isn’t who you are,” he said.
“I am native. I am homeless. But that is not who I am.
That is not who God sees. You have to look deeper than that to see.”
Michael continued, “When you know who you are, you can act from love and do what you’re meant to do.”
Then he added, “I’m hungry. Going to eat some chicken now and then I’ll be looking for a wife. So if you’re still here when I get back…”
As he left, I turned to my friend and said, “Yeah, so we should go now,” She laughed.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
talktodiana 
Beautifully told with that lovely Diane humor thrown in there! 🙂
I believe this so much – who we are isn’t who we are. There’s so much more going on underneath the exteriors of all of us. What a beautiful and unexpected message to receive during your coffee, but yeah I think I would have left when you did as well! 😉
~ Andrea ❤
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(smiling) Thanks so much Andrea and yes, I think leaving was the right choice for me!
Diana xo
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There’s lots of good for thought in this post. And, the twist at the end made me smile. The previous comment that said, “You can agree with somebody, totally, and still not sign on for the entire lifetime contract!” resonated with me.
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With me too Sheryl!
Diana xo
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A beautiful moment. 🙂 The simple fact that you listened to the man, remembering he’s human = priceless. ❤
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Like I said, I’ve learned some of the most important things from unlikely messengers!
Diana xo
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This one is oozing with wisdom.
And it’s a fun read… 🙂
I must say, that the intersection between love and skill is an amazing place to be.
Thank you Diana.
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It sure is Lyrical Treasure! Thank you for your kindness and for reading this post!
Diana xo
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Beautiful….and funny! Just like you!
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(smiling) Thank you!
Diana xo
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“Who you are isn’t who you are,” he said.
I so agree. there really is no ‘self’ just being-ness.
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Glad you enjoyed it Gavin!
Diana xo
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Beautiful wisdom here Diana. So important to remember our Truth. Love it! Thank you! ❤
xo Gina
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Thanks so much Gina!!
Diana xo
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Now that’s a unique marriage proposal! I wonder what he’d have done if you BOTH had been there when he got back.
Russ
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Ha! I guess we’ll never know! But he did come by twice and the first time he told us his name, so the second time I said oh hey Michael and he said, “How do you know my name!?
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we don’t have to accept the labels others give us. Some circumstances are temporary, and our spirit isn’t defined by our flesh.
On the pragmatic side, mighta been a fun date 🙂
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haha, guess I’m not as pragmatic as I thought. 😉
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Once my daughter bought a homeless man some food at a taco bell. He then proceeded to ask her out on a date. She smiled and declined. She later told me “Dad, I knew who’d be paying for that date” 🙂
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haha! She’s a smart lady!!
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Interesting, I think people would be interested in helping a homeless female than a homeless man.
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Men get the least sympathy or empathy for sure Bill. Somehow as if they are more responsible for their circumstances… I’m not sure.
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part of the homeless problem is so many have addiction or mental issues.
I used to be a consultant where the owner of a business had a great heart for the homeless. On the coldest nights he would leave the doors open so some homeless could shelter there, ( locking the office spaces.
He had to abandon it when one morning after a particularly cold night the morning crew arrived to find a naked man, resembling John the Baptist, roaming the halls.
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Wow. What a heart!
When you think about John the Baptist of the bible down by the river dressed in the skins of animals, eating locusts and honey and yelling REPENT to passersby, someone like that would be considered mentally ill these days. We are quick to judge those who are different, those who do not conform to society. I wonder how many times we miss great truths by dismissing the message based on our opinion of the messenger.
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I’ll send you a story via email 🙂
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ok!
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What wisdom from Michael … and from you and your friend Diana! 🙂
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Thank you my dear!
Diana xo
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I like his lesson. I like your lesson more, Diana. You can agree with somebody, totally, and still not sign on for the entire lifetime contract!
Thank you for sharing this tale, and allowing me to think about it. Happy Sunday. 🙂
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(smiling) Thanks Mark and Happy Sunday to you as well!
Diana xo
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When love and skill work together, expect another post from Diana. Thank you!
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How sweet Ann, thank you and a very Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Diana xo
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“When you know who you are, you can act from love and do what you’re meant to do.” could have a very deep and profound meaning of finding your calling and going out like Mother Theresa to help the underprivileged in Cambodia; or it could mean “’I’m hungry. Going to eat some chicken now and then I’ll be looking for a wife. “
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haha, it’s so obvious and in front of me and I missed it! Thanks for my morning smile!
Diana xo
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Well there are two ways that what he said could be interpreted….!
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Which part of what he said? What are the 2 ways?
Diana xo
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