#403: SPOTLIGHT: Joe Bruzzese
#403: Joe Bruzzese
October 8, 2024
A Backbeat of Community
Question for Joe:
There is an idea that we can learn from every single person on the planet. But there are also deeply ingrained habits we have been trained in that “teachers” have a formal designation which might limit our scope for learning. With that thought, does someone come to mind in the past five weeks that you wouldn’t consider a “formal” teacher at all but who you learned something special from… (perhaps even someone you aren’t even fond of) ?
Joe's Response:
Being aware that learning can happen at any time keeps me open to new ideas from old friends; one in particular, John SB, recently shared a collection of poems with me, One Long River of Song, by Brian Doyle; while prose and poetry seemed like an unlikely mashup, I dove into the reading without hesitation. Before handing me the book John expressed a single request, "Read no more than one story a day." That single sentence heightened my awareness to a level where I wanted to see every word, think deeply about its meaning and then consider the space between; people, places and times when I slow down enough to let awareness guide me. I believe John's magic lies within each of us. I can seek awareness, see people and recognize the value each of us has to enrich the relationships we share.
I suspect Joe would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Joe's email… pip
Amanda's thought…
Joe, your very first line reminds me of something my sister Christina shared with me years ago - she had a deep conversation with a friendly stranger on a bus in Thailand, and when he got off at his stop, he turned back and said, "Thank you. I often feel that... everywhere is my school and everyone is my teacher." Joe, I admire your awareness and how receptive you are to different ideas and perspectives. Thank you for sharing and for reminding me of the excitement that comes with possibility, and staying curious and patient on a daily basis with every new learning, new person, and in this case, new reading as well.
- AP