A self-help expert makes an appearance on Tonight Show which tapes in afternoon.  After the taping, he goes to the airport and flies on the red-eye (the nighttime flight) back to Florida.  The next morning, he wakes up early and takes his morning stroll on the beach.  As he walks, a woman comes up to him and recognizes him from the TV.  She strikes up a conversation:

“Weren’t you on the Tonight Show last night?”

“Yes”

“Do you live around here?”

“Yes, for 20 years”

“That is wonderful.  My husband and I just moved down here and were wondering what the people are like here.”

“I would be glad to answer your question, but let me first ask you a question - what are people like where you are from?”

“Don’t get me started.  We moved here from Manhattan.  We had 5 locks on our door.  We did not know our neighbors and, frankly, I am not sure they could be trusted (especially around our children).  Everyone seemed self-absorbed and selfish.  I am glad to be gone.”

“Well, I am sorry to say that you will find people around here a lot like that too.”

She frowns and they part.  He continues his stroll.  After 20 minutes, he encounters another woman and has essentially the same conversation:

“Did I see you on TV last night?”

“Yes”

“Cool.  Why are you here, do you live around here?”

“Yes, for 20 years”

“That is wonderful.  My husband and I just moved down here and were wondering what the people are like here.”

“I would be glad to answer your question, but let me first ask you a question - what are people like where you are from?”

She sighs and responds.  “We have moved from a small town in Iowa.  We lived on a cul-de-sac with 4 of the nicest families you could ever have as neighbors.  We all had kids and we left our doors open and everyone would just run from house to house playing and having fun.  Somedays I felt like I had not children, other days - my 3 and on some days we had 8!  Leaving there felt like leaving family.  I will miss that place.”

“Well, I have some good news for you . . .you will find people around here a lot like that too.”

I have always loved this story because it illustrates a piece of acvice the Silver Fox (my wise mother) often shares – “Life is what you sort for”.  We find what we expect to see.  If we think we will find pleasant interesting people, they will be there.  If we think we will find jerks, we will find them in the exact same group of people.

I hope Camp helps your children sort for what is special, beautiful and positive in their worlds!

Steve Sir