“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”
Anatole France
Prior to the current quarantine I had the chance to meet with an accomplish curator/artist. Have you ever listen to someone and become striked by their poise and wisdom? That was me, when I heard Jeffrey (an accomplish curator) giving a lecture at the Hollyhock House, and make no mistake, his knowledge and wisdom go beyond the walls of the structure. His accomplishments were not an overnighter, they were the culmination of many unknown and extensive days at work.
Taking on a task like the restoration of the Hollyhock House and the challenge to become part of the Unesco World Heritage List were not easy. Then again why should we be discourage from difficult challenges? Perhaps Fear? And what does fear do? Fear is a sedative, yet action does the opposite, it creates force and momentum to open up doors we couldn’t have predicted, like a dominos effect. Our problem therefore lies not in the tasks and challenges we confront, but in the mentality we have towards them. When Jeffrey took on the task of accomplishing the Unesco status for the Hollyhock House the outcome was unknown, and this is where expectations which can be so empowering, and crippling, come into play as a double edge sword. We should expect the best in terms of our output, but we shouldn’t become submissive to the results. Many times we forget we only have the power to control our own narrative, so why render our personal story to anything else?
Jeffrey is a great example of focusing on our personal narrative by focusing on our own output, trying to control anything else cripples progression, yet accountability as a benchmark is a tool for success. Let it be known that the Hollyhock House became part of Unesco in 2019. After years of hard work Jeffrey has now retired, and his outlook for what is to become of the Hollyhock House only affirmed his abundant wisdom: “The next person will do a fantastic job, and add something to the equation much new and needed.” Experience and diversity much needed to thrive. I love his mentality. The mentality of working hard and being passionate without becoming subservient to results, his confidence when leaving the project instead of becoming controlling, which only hinders progress. Just like the California Romansa each room leading to the outdoors, there’s no need for confinement.
Jeffrey and I ended our coffee meeting with three pieces of advice for a fulfilled life: travel, read and the last one is our personal wild card. They all seemed to embark a common denominator: be open to experiences, change, and make it your Own Wild Ride.
XOXO,
P.S. This story couldn’t have happened without the Hollyhock House which was built in 1922. More about the Hollyhock house tomorrow.
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