foxtail

graffiti crown

Seemed like a normal guy, otherwise. Just like any other 17, 18-year-old kid you'd see on the train at night... Except for the giant faux-fur fox tail, tucked under the hem of his t-shirt, swinging from side to side as he walked.

As I watched other people, watching him, I couldn't help but start to smile... a small one at first. He swooshed his tail out from behind him, over the side of the seat... Bigger... People bending their heads toward each other, whispering... Even BIGGER... After 10 minutes of sneaking glances at this guy sporting a giant fox tail on public transit, wishing I could work up the guts to say, "Hey dude, I like your tail," he got up and made his way to the door of the train, wandering off into the night.

I've been thinking a lot this past week about the random, transient moments we experience all the time. The ones where we want desperately to say something, to reach out to someone, to connect in some small way. More often than not I resist that impulse, smile... and look away.

So I made a decision. I'm making an effort to follow my gut. Since then, many wonderful conversations with complete strangers young, old, and otherwise have been illuminating my solo journeys throughout the city. Bubble tea running in sticky rivulets across the floor, a bucket of hot KFC, drinking, minimum wage, movie extras, shoes, art and singing... all hot topics of conversation.

This week, I'm giving you an assignment. When the mood strikes, act on it. Speak your heart and your mind, and make a connection. Whether it's one moment or many, come back here and share your stories with us by leaving a comment below. You can do it!

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure,
to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer
meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."

-ALAN COHEN