Moments of Perfection

Perfection is an impossible standard. As a perfectionist I am intimately aware of this fact. But here I am, sitting in Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport with a venti nonfat cappuccino, a couple of books to read on my flights and a huge smile on my face. Is this moment perfect? Probaby not, but it's pretty darn close.

I've spent the last few days in Scottsdale, Arizona attending the Transforming Local Government Conference. I'll tell you my (not so secret) secret: I really don't enjoy conference sessions. There are people doing amazing work and changing the world, and I'm here for it. But I thrive in the in-between stuff: the networking breaks, the happy hours, the time when I get to meet and get to know other humans. That's my jam.

So I'm in Arizona which is a warm and delightful break from the cold early spring in Michigan. I'm meeting and reconnecting with absolutely amazing and innovative local government professionals. These are my people. I love, love, love communities and the people who are making cool shit happen. As I waited for my car this morning I was marveling at just how full my local government loving heart is. 

Last night a docent at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
thoughtfully posed this picture, and it was adorable.

I had a lovely and quick ride to the airport, and I went to curbside check-in to drop my bag. I was feeling so happy and and smiling. The porter looked at me and stopped for a second. He said, "Wow. You have the best smile. It makes my whole day." Sure...it sounds like a line. But this was an older gentleman who seemed very gentuine. I told him I have lots of things to smile about: a beautfiul morning, heading home to my family, doing work I love. HIs compliment made me smile more.

As I headed toward security a TSA agent walked up to me, and she was smliing. She said, "Your smile is awesome and you're so cute. You made my day." And I said, "No YOU'RE so cute. Thank you so much." I mean what is happening here at Sky Harbor? They're the nicest.

As I smiled my way through security and the Starbucks line, I was thinking of a conversation I had with a colleague last night about joy in local government, a tenant of one of our favorite organizations, Engaging Local Government Leaders. We were discussing the joy we get from connecting with other innovative, community-loving professionals. I said that joy is so important, and everything you do you should do with some amount of joy. It doesn't mean you feel joy all the time, but I feel joy every day.

I'm sitting here watching planes come and go, waiting for my flight to start boarding. My heart is full of joy for my work, excitement to see my family and happiness that I am so, so fortunate to travel and do work I love. Is this a perfect morning? Maybe or maybe not. But it's pretty joyful. 

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