Character Creation

I heard the phrase, “Character is habit long done,” on a Finding Mastery with Michael Gervais podcast. It stuck with me.

How we each develop “character” is the day-in, day-out process of living and learning.

Living and learning is partially our own doing - making the choices of our every day moments through thoughts, words and deeds.

And part up to chance of the world in which we are born into and the body we are given.

I spent two hours last Friday with a nationally certified American Sign Language translator. The coffee date came after a hip hop dance class introduction.

Who’d have thought my love of dance and begging my 11 and 13-year-old kids to do the Richmond Urban Dance “Parent Jam” workshop Phil Wright was putting on at Turn Jam Studio would also lead me to gaining additional exposure and perspective of the deaf and hard of hearing world, of which I am now part of thanks to my five-year-old daughter being born profoundly deaf on her left ear and moderate to severe hearing loss on her right ear?

Even more synchronistic was our conversation ranging from personal growth after trauma to her insight on the Deaf / ASL community struggling with emotional issues due to the lack of ability to thoroughly communicate feelings in a language that is limited, find mental health support and years of struggle to be recognized, advocated for and supported by the larger hearing community, of which I am also part of due to my own hearing but also for choosing to give Charlotte access to hear through medical intervention and technology.

I’ve been digesting our wide spanning Friday conversation and all the flagstones of learning my life has placed along my path.

I don’t know where the path will eventually lead, but I cherish picking up the pieces that are placed in front of me and assembling the puzzle of my life. That path, part choice and part chance, creates my character and evolves every day.

Lotsa love,

Leah