Who?
Noah
Where?
Berkeley, California
What?
"You are the most special person I have met in months."
How did he react?
"So are you!"
How did I feel?
Me, three weeks ago:
“Yes, I teach Yoga. And I went to a Montessori school. I interpret my dreams. I eat homeopathic sugar balls, and I do believe in their effect. But I am not superstitious. Philosophy, medicine, education: Alternative approaches rock, as long as they stay real and grounded. So no fear of black cats and the number thirteen for me and no "the universe meant for this to happen." I believe in a healthy balance between myth and reasoning, I like to think we choose our paths and hold responsibility for what we do. Incidents are incidents, not fate, and it is our interpretation and reaction to them that writes our stories, not a supernatural power.”
Me, today:
“The universe-- who knows! Maybe it does pull some strings, and potentially fate exists after all...”
What happened? Noah did. No, Noah is not one of the Bay’s psychic legends. He is no magician, no spiritual leader, no palm reader. Instead Noah is a Berkeley student and one of the most scientifically interested people I have met lately. So really, what happened?!
Within one week I ran into this man three times, on Bart, in Berkeley, and in the city. You don't just meet someone in an area as big as the Bay, and you definitely don't meet them several times. There are people out here I have been wanting to see for months and we still haven’t been in the same place. But Noah, sure, wherever I went, it didn’t take too long and I was around him again incidentally. And I was fascinated by his appearance. He and I agree: We were supposed to meet. So yeah, maybe fate exists.
You know how sometimes you just click? It doesn't happen often, not on that level. With Noah the click was a burst loud enough to kick off a club beat and make all Bart passengers get up and dance. Unfortunately I was the only deaf person on the train, coming from the airport, 50 hours of travel covered my right ear and a nine hour jet lag my left. Nonetheless I knew from the moment I looked into his eyes: He was special. His glance burnt with curiosity, presence, a light smile and love. It said: "Really? Wow, that's so interesting! Tell me more! About science, about you, about anything!". He told me he studies interdisciplinary studies- an area I have been interested in for years. I was about to get excited I'd met him when my stop was announced and I started fighting with my luggage. Finally I stood outside and realized: The doors had closed and I was probably never going to see him again. I swore to myself I was going to react faster next time I'd run into someone like him.
A week later I got my second chance. I went to an amazing event at a magic venue 20 miles from where I had first met Noah - and bumped straight into him. This time I did not leave without connecting with him. The third time I came across him in a coffee shop another few days later was just too funny to be true, but by then I already knew I wanted to get to know him no matter what, I didn't need the universe to point out to me that I should spend time with him. Nonetheless it did. Maybe.
So finally I started hanging out with Noah. There is no doubt he was the highlight of the Bay for me. The qualities his eyes promised back on Bart turned out to be one hundred percent true. He is the kind of person who takes you to their favorite Yoga class out of the blue. He fixes a ton of vegan mac and cheese. He has chats with strangers on the street. At school he raises his hand and says few but smart words. Driving down the number one he shouts to Phantom Planet's California. If you're lucky you might find him at Downtown Berkeley Bart, waiting for the train, spontaneously playing an original on the guitar. Listening to someone else play for him in return he lets the music in. There are tears in his eyes. I admire a lot in him but his ability to devote to his own feelings inspires me the most. Noah does not question what he feels, and he communicates: I haven't had such intimate conversations in a long time, walking upon a floor of total acceptance and honest interest in the other person. His open ears respond "It's fine." to everything you share. Meanwhile he stays real: Instead of blindly nodding to what you say he cerebrates and gives profound feedback. He is one of the sharpest people I know and one of the wisest, too: Not only does his mind perform outstanding logical stunts but it also walks hand in hand with his heart. He will point out deep political insights on homelessness or global warming and finish with: "And that is so, so sad.". That add does not come from a moral place but from true weltschmerz.
I had been wanting to go surfing forever and of course Noah asked me to come to Santa Cruz. I bet the universe whispered that into his ears. I sucked at surfing but nonetheless it was the best day of my trip. Again because of Noah and the way I could let go around him. We celebrated wonderful music in the car and held our faces in the sun for hours at the Beach. We practiced Yoga to the soundtrack of the waves. We snacked deluxe sandwiches and shared stories from our childhood and our last heartbreak. Later I got to experience the way he is around his beloved ones as we stayed at their home. There were open arms and the vibe's bottom line said "There's enough for everyone." and "Everything is welcome.".
I have been confident for years that love is what it all comes down to. The deepest wisdom, the greatest insight, the highest state and the most basic one. It is also the hardest place to enter because fears cover it. Love requires sensitivity that the world around us blocks. But once we give into it it permeates us and whoever is open to it. Before I met Noah I was cut off that place, and I found it again through his eyes and the way he interacted with me. Spending time with Noah was a very healing experience. I don't call many people "good friends". But Noah is one of them. I know it does not make a difference if we see each other tomorrow or in two years, we'll just take it right from where we stopped.
Because I feel safe around him and appreciated, and when I eye him I see a beautiful, light creature full of life and fine antennas that let him feel the most subtle colors and characteristics around him and breathe them in. I can't think of a connection more valuable than that. Looking at it now I am absolutely sure the universe held on to the idea of us meeting. And I am thankful it didn't stop telling me so until I understood what this was all about. I do so now: It was - and is- all about love.
Love to you and your beautiful love, family and friends, Noah!
Noah
Where?
Berkeley, California
What?
"You are the most special person I have met in months."
How did he react?
"So are you!"
How did I feel?
Me, three weeks ago:
“Yes, I teach Yoga. And I went to a Montessori school. I interpret my dreams. I eat homeopathic sugar balls, and I do believe in their effect. But I am not superstitious. Philosophy, medicine, education: Alternative approaches rock, as long as they stay real and grounded. So no fear of black cats and the number thirteen for me and no "the universe meant for this to happen." I believe in a healthy balance between myth and reasoning, I like to think we choose our paths and hold responsibility for what we do. Incidents are incidents, not fate, and it is our interpretation and reaction to them that writes our stories, not a supernatural power.”
Me, today:
“The universe-- who knows! Maybe it does pull some strings, and potentially fate exists after all...”
What happened? Noah did. No, Noah is not one of the Bay’s psychic legends. He is no magician, no spiritual leader, no palm reader. Instead Noah is a Berkeley student and one of the most scientifically interested people I have met lately. So really, what happened?!
Within one week I ran into this man three times, on Bart, in Berkeley, and in the city. You don't just meet someone in an area as big as the Bay, and you definitely don't meet them several times. There are people out here I have been wanting to see for months and we still haven’t been in the same place. But Noah, sure, wherever I went, it didn’t take too long and I was around him again incidentally. And I was fascinated by his appearance. He and I agree: We were supposed to meet. So yeah, maybe fate exists.
You know how sometimes you just click? It doesn't happen often, not on that level. With Noah the click was a burst loud enough to kick off a club beat and make all Bart passengers get up and dance. Unfortunately I was the only deaf person on the train, coming from the airport, 50 hours of travel covered my right ear and a nine hour jet lag my left. Nonetheless I knew from the moment I looked into his eyes: He was special. His glance burnt with curiosity, presence, a light smile and love. It said: "Really? Wow, that's so interesting! Tell me more! About science, about you, about anything!". He told me he studies interdisciplinary studies- an area I have been interested in for years. I was about to get excited I'd met him when my stop was announced and I started fighting with my luggage. Finally I stood outside and realized: The doors had closed and I was probably never going to see him again. I swore to myself I was going to react faster next time I'd run into someone like him.
A week later I got my second chance. I went to an amazing event at a magic venue 20 miles from where I had first met Noah - and bumped straight into him. This time I did not leave without connecting with him. The third time I came across him in a coffee shop another few days later was just too funny to be true, but by then I already knew I wanted to get to know him no matter what, I didn't need the universe to point out to me that I should spend time with him. Nonetheless it did. Maybe.
So finally I started hanging out with Noah. There is no doubt he was the highlight of the Bay for me. The qualities his eyes promised back on Bart turned out to be one hundred percent true. He is the kind of person who takes you to their favorite Yoga class out of the blue. He fixes a ton of vegan mac and cheese. He has chats with strangers on the street. At school he raises his hand and says few but smart words. Driving down the number one he shouts to Phantom Planet's California. If you're lucky you might find him at Downtown Berkeley Bart, waiting for the train, spontaneously playing an original on the guitar. Listening to someone else play for him in return he lets the music in. There are tears in his eyes. I admire a lot in him but his ability to devote to his own feelings inspires me the most. Noah does not question what he feels, and he communicates: I haven't had such intimate conversations in a long time, walking upon a floor of total acceptance and honest interest in the other person. His open ears respond "It's fine." to everything you share. Meanwhile he stays real: Instead of blindly nodding to what you say he cerebrates and gives profound feedback. He is one of the sharpest people I know and one of the wisest, too: Not only does his mind perform outstanding logical stunts but it also walks hand in hand with his heart. He will point out deep political insights on homelessness or global warming and finish with: "And that is so, so sad.". That add does not come from a moral place but from true weltschmerz.
I had been wanting to go surfing forever and of course Noah asked me to come to Santa Cruz. I bet the universe whispered that into his ears. I sucked at surfing but nonetheless it was the best day of my trip. Again because of Noah and the way I could let go around him. We celebrated wonderful music in the car and held our faces in the sun for hours at the Beach. We practiced Yoga to the soundtrack of the waves. We snacked deluxe sandwiches and shared stories from our childhood and our last heartbreak. Later I got to experience the way he is around his beloved ones as we stayed at their home. There were open arms and the vibe's bottom line said "There's enough for everyone." and "Everything is welcome.".
I have been confident for years that love is what it all comes down to. The deepest wisdom, the greatest insight, the highest state and the most basic one. It is also the hardest place to enter because fears cover it. Love requires sensitivity that the world around us blocks. But once we give into it it permeates us and whoever is open to it. Before I met Noah I was cut off that place, and I found it again through his eyes and the way he interacted with me. Spending time with Noah was a very healing experience. I don't call many people "good friends". But Noah is one of them. I know it does not make a difference if we see each other tomorrow or in two years, we'll just take it right from where we stopped.
Because I feel safe around him and appreciated, and when I eye him I see a beautiful, light creature full of life and fine antennas that let him feel the most subtle colors and characteristics around him and breathe them in. I can't think of a connection more valuable than that. Looking at it now I am absolutely sure the universe held on to the idea of us meeting. And I am thankful it didn't stop telling me so until I understood what this was all about. I do so now: It was - and is- all about love.
Love to you and your beautiful love, family and friends, Noah!
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