Jessica Soroky continues her series Leadership is a Choice.

It had been a tough week or two, lots of intensity and flat out drama at work, a huge scare with one of the most important people in my life, and a personal life that for the first time is truly extraordinary but comes wrapped in a complex web at the moment. On top of all of that, just a few days away is the 11-year anniversary of losing my hero – my grandfather.

I found myself on the outer edge of a funk I’ve been in and dedicated myslef to letting it all go as I packed my bag to get away for the weekend.

The universe speaks all of the time, some instances are louder and clearer while others are muffled and easily passed by all together.

In a desperate search for something sweet and covered in chocolate I found myself in the lobby bar of my Chicago hotel. It was quiet and almost empty but for one couple in a corner, a lone soul at the bar, and my handsome accomplice.

With all of the open seats I don’t know what drew me to the two empty bar stools next to the man sitting peacefully alone. The TVs above the bar lead our conversation almost immediately to politics. Jeff, the no longer ‘lone’ soul, mentioned he was Canadian, living in the Toronto area.

Often the conversation may have taken a generic turn, talking about what it is like in Toronto or awkwardly moving to a riveting weather discussion, but the universe had another idea. Within minutes of meeting this person I was taking part in a challenging, sarcastic, and very intellectual conversation about both politics and the values that drive democracy.

At one point Jeff was talking with my handsome date and I just sat back thinking how courageous they were both being. Opening up to a complete stranger and talking philosophy and feelings in a world where we typically avoid that more then we confront it.

I could hear the universe so loudly. I had spent the days leading up to this wondering (doubting really) if the way I see the world is naïve. I doubted if my belief in my ability to make an impact on the world was actually enough…could I really create the reality I see in my head?

More so – I was beginning to doubt if other people even wanted to see the world differently. A huge part of helping someone awaken is his or her willingness and desire to be woken up.

This was exactly what I needed – the validation and reminder that there are souls everywhere that are hungry for connections that give them the continued opportunity to grow closer to their big breakthrough – their awakening.

I was so in awe that the universe was this powerful, bringing together these three souls in this random, empty bar creating the opportunity to have such a powerful conversation that I almost didn’t hear when my date began to connect the conversation we had been having with the concepts and beliefs I study and teach.

Hearing someone that I love and care so much about tell a total stranger how he views the work I do, the way I see the world, and how he finds it all inspirational stirred feelings that I didn’t actually know were real outside of the movies.

It instantly broke me of my funk and inspired me to push harder, work smarter, and never ever give up fighting for the world I see in my dreams.

There are moments so simple, so random, so beautiful that if you stop and really appreciate them they can knock your socks off, inspire you, and remind you that doubt is the most dangerous thing in our world.

As the lights came on indicating we were about to over stay our welcome my internal light came back on as well and the doubt was gone. We paid our bills and Jeff looked at both of us and said, “I have no doubt you two are a part of the solution not a part of the problem.”

Souls like Jeff are a part of the solution too – courageous enough to not talk about weather or sports but instead to open up and dive deep into the philosophies that shape who we are.

Thank you to my new friend in Toronto and my wonderful date who both played a big part in helping me break out of my funk and showing me such a wonderful example of how beautiful we humans are.

Jessica Soroky, CSM

Jessica is a Certified Scrum Master with over three years of practice in agile delivery and seven years of team leadership. She is also the youngest participant in The Leadership Gift™ Program and its growing worldwide community of leaders and coaches. After five years of nonprofit development through Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids, Jessica continues her leadership journey in state government, not-for-profit, and private sector leadership studies.