A gift and a grail

My students are making me think. Deeply. And hardly. About this perilous journey called life.

In short, I have concluded that everyone is sent to this universe with two things: a gift and a grail.

Sometimes using your gift will help you find your grail and sometimes your grail will help you use your gift.

You get me?

Your grail is something only YOU can do, unless you decide you don't want to do it, in which case the next available gifted person will step up and fulfil your destiny.

Your gift is something YOU can do better than anybody else. It takes time and effort to figure out what you're better at than anybody else is, but it's such a rush when you finally have your epiphany.

I'll never forget the moment I realized that I am the best dyslexic map reader in the world.

I was in Washington D.C. at the time. Alone and unafraid. (And unaware of where the helk I was going.) But I learned something about myself that day. If my gut instinct says go left, I should go right.

Works everytime.

Sometimes the best way to figure out where something is located is to by finding out where it's not located.

If you ever need someone to tell you where something is not located in Washington D.C., I'm your dummy.

The Phillips Collection is not located in Dupont circle, (but there's a great little falafel joint where you can sit outside in the rain and cry and pretend you're in Paris all by yourself.)

And anyway, the Phillips collection is way overpriced and over rated. If you want to see your favorite Renoir paintings by all means go to the National Gallery of Art.

Also, the Crowne Plaza Hamilton Hotel is not located on E Street and 13th. (I just thought you should know in case you happen to be staying there. I'm thoughtful that way.)

To summarize, I wish you all the best of luck finding your grail as you brave the elements of life. But if by chance you can't find it, please let me know and I will be happy to tell you where it's not located.