A self-help expert makes an appearance on the Tonight Show which tapes in New York City in the 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 moved here 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 run from house to house playing and having fun. Some days, I felt like I had no children, while other days it seemed as if 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 advice the Silver Fox (my wise mother) often shared:

“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