Today, I met Josephine.
Josephine left the coffee shop at the same time I did, and she asked me what there was to do and if I knew the number for the cab company. She had really cool high-waisted red pants and an accent. It was Swedish, which I never would have guessed, but she filled me in.
I offered to drive her to another coffee shop, since the one we were sitting outside of was about to close, and she agreed. More power to her, for consenting to get in the car with a total stranger. Although, let's face it, I'm not intimidating.
A quick ride turned into a beer and talking about style, travel, Stockholm, Nashville, siblings, and our life plans. We talked about Swedish aristocracy and American politicians (personally, I'd trade the politicians for the aristocracy). I learned that the only reason Sweden has a royal family is because Napoleon gifted Sweden to one of his generals. Like, "Oh, you won that battle for me? Take this country. Thanks a mil." Josephine commented that young people in Stockholm spend a lot of time achieving a style that the young people of Nashville just kind of let happen naturally. And, apparently, within the last two years everyone in Stockholm has grown a beard. We talked about immigration and how Sweden really does have the best healthcare and education programs ever. Because they're free.
She told me about the parties that happen at Midsummer, the longest day of the year. Which, in Sweden, is actually a huge deal because the sun only sets for about two hours. All the girls dress in white and wear flower crowns, and everyone goes to the country for a picnic and games and dancing around a decorated pole. Then they lay out on the grass and watch the sun set, and rise again. It sounds magical, and I want to go someday.
We traded travel stories, and talked about the places we've been. She told me about the time her mom made her stay in Italy for two years. Forgotten memories of European adventures with my sister came vividly to mind and brought joy to my heart all over again. And I remembered the sweet contentment that comes only from being somewhere you don't belong.
Then we went to a symphony concert in the park, because why not? and talked about dance, music, and Mozart. In Canada, I now know, they make you practice an instrument while you're in school and you don't even get to pick which one. And Josephine's dad used to own a restaurant that played only Mozart in the background.
Josephine has a lot of knowledge, which she very generously shared with me. She shared some knowledge with me unconsciously, too. But I took notes. For instance, boldness (ie: talking to that ombre-haired girl with the iPhone) is almost always a good idea, because it can lead to a night at the symphony with a new friend. And traveling stretches the mind and makes it bigger, wiser, and more interesting. There is such richness to be discovered, if we will get outside of ourselves for a moment and look.
Yeah, that was the big one. Getting outside of myself. I have become very inwardly focused, very narrow-minded lately. It has caused great anxiety and fear and unnecessary angst. Tonight I was reminded how big the world is, and how small I am in it. Which could be depressing, except that it's not.
My troubles, which seem so big, are so very small on a global scale. There is much to enjoy, much to discover, much to make happen. And the beauty is that I can be a part of the enjoyment, the discovery and the doing by simply being, and seizing opportunity as it comes.
Josephine taught me a lot, but what she taught me mostly was to look up and out. Not in. To focus on my surroundings, not my circumstances.
And, hey, now I have a friend in Sweden.
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