I set out on a cold, drizzly morning to join my friend for breakfast at a local cafe. We caught up over eggs and pancakes, but toward the end of our conversation I began to focus my energy on the older lady sitting at the table next to us. She was obviously distraught, sobbing in the corner. I felt compelled to do something for this unknown woman, but what? We kept on normally and eventually my friend left to enjoy the rest of the day. I could not leave her alone in pain so I asked if I could pay for her meal. It wasn’t something anyone had asked before, but we made it work. I was glad I could cover a warm, nourishing meal for her yet it still didn't feel like I had really done anything to help.

I somehow mustered up the courage to walk over, introduce myself and meet Dawn, who was on the phone with her friend. I apologized for interrupting, told her I felt for her even though I wasn't sure what was going on in her life and asked if I could give her a hug. With a huge smile and look of relief she said, “I would love a hug!” As I held her, I told her everything would be okay and was so overwhelmed with emotion that I was on the verge of tears as I left the café. I truly felt like an angel, blessing her with a hug, words and attention that held more value for her than money ever could. In my reflection on my way home, I realized that everyone needs a medium for release - for Dawn it was a hug and for me it was dancing and singing to my SORNE CD on the drive home.

In difficult moments we tend to let fear, pain or anxiety build up inside of us. It's important to take the time to release the excess steam from our pressure cookers before we burst! Hug someone, dance it off, cry, sing, go for a walk, talk it out with a friend or do whatever feels right for you. The life of an Ei Founding Student definitely comes with challenges, but overcoming them together is incredibly rewarding. And sometimes when you let it go, you find more than you would have ever expected.