Everyone who steps into your life has a reason for being there.

Let it be.

Listen.

You will always learn something.

I met an older women in the line of work I do. We very often saw each other in passing throughout the day. Total strangers. There would be a smile and a hello exchanged here and there but nothing more than that. I could tell in my gut that she had a gentle soul and I wanted to be her friend. So, the hello's eventually turned into a little conversation and very soon after that we started to get together to grab a cup of coffee, meet for lunch, or just hang out with a cup of tea. We only hang out during the work hours but always make an appoint to wish each other a nice relaxing weekend and make plans for the following week. Our conversations were mostly about cooking recipes, her sons and husband, my husband, our jobs, and places we'd like to travel. We enjoyed the company; it gave us a nice break from the long days we lead each week.

It was a warm fall Tuesday morning and we both agreed we'd like to meet for a little breakfast at the market close to where we work. I don't normally get latte's but she insisted I have one, so I did. We sat outside and enjoyed the oddly warm weather and chatted about our weekend. Little did I know that would be one of the most eye opening days I have ever had. While we sipped on our latte's and chatted about her son's birthday coming up, I excused myself and pulled out my camera. I told her that I felt the set up and moment was one to capture. She was in shock. She had no idea I was so interested in photography. That's when she went off on me. She told me about her friend who had a job for 30 years and quit it, made her photography habit into a career, and now makes her own schedule during the week photographing pregnant women, new born babies, and young children. She went on to tell me "You're young! Now is the time to do it. What are you waiting for?! You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. If its a passion you should follow that feeling. I, myself, hold regrets of not experimenting when I was young and now its too late BUT YOU, you have right now. Take advantage of the time and follow what you love."

The feeling that I felt as she was saying those words to me was beyond explanation. It was as though I had never heard those words before in my life and everyone knows you here those words all the time. Everyone talks about how "you only live once", "take advantage of the time you have on Earth", "what do you have to lose", "follow your dreams"...need I go on? But the words coming out of this wise women's mouth and filling my ears gave me a feelings I have never felt before. They made me feel unstoppable. She made me believe what she was saying. I have heard those words come out of other people's mouths and I agree with what they say but it never resonated with me like it did when she said it.

Sometimes the people who's path collides with yours have something very important to offer. I have learned that it is important to listen to those people, whether it is negative or positive. You will ALWAYS walk away with something that can help you grow.