There’s Room for Everyone
It feels like I've been incredibly lucky lately, having many amazing opportunities come my way. Sometimes it almost seems unfair, and definitely more than I deserve! But these experiences have also been a powerful reminder: whenever it feels like there isn't enough room for everyone, or not enough good things to go around, that's simply not true.
There truly is space for all of us. Even when things feel crowded, like a packed elevator or a bustling marketplace. Even when it seems like someone else might get all the credit for a shared effort, or their success somehow diminishes your own. Even when resources like food or work or "stuff" seem scarce, we can find a way to make it work. We can all fit. This isn't just about physical space; it's about emotional and professional space too. It's about believing that one person's gain doesn't automatically mean another's loss. In fact, more often than not, when we make room, we all benefit. It's the proverbial win-win, a rising tide that lifts all boats.
Now, believing this might take a bit of a leap of faith or a good shot of confidence. It's certainly not easy to step back and share the limelight, especially when you've worked hard, or even completely step out of it to cheer someone else on. And what about sharing your meal when you're hungry yourself? That's a real challenge, a deeply ingrained survival instinct we often have to actively override. Yet, it's in these moments of vulnerability and generosity that the magic of "room for everyone" really takes root. It fosters community, builds trust, and cultivates a spirit of abundance.
"Easy for you to say there's room for everyone," you might be thinking. And you'd be right! As I mentioned, I've had some incredible opportunities, not just recently but throughout my life. And while I'd love to credit it all to sheer hard work or personal merit, the truth is, a significant part of it has simply been about being in the right place at the right time—what I call God's grace. This isn't to diminish effort, but to acknowledge the unseen spirit that guides us, the doors that open unexpectedly, and the support systems that often appear just when we need them most. Recognizing this grace in my own life makes it even more imperative to extend it to others. If I've been given much, how can I not share?
But here's the thing: even when life is going great (or appears to be from the outside), it can still be tough to make space for others. People can be difficult, with their own quirks and challenges that might clash with ours. Projects can be overwhelming, making us feel like we barely have enough capacity for our own tasks, let alone accommodating someone else's needs. Or, if you're like me, you can get easily overstimulated and become frustrated when things don't go according to plan or when there's too much noise, literal or metaphorical. It takes practice—together with a few deep breaths, or a moment of mindful pause—to remember that we can all fit, that there really is enough, and that creating space isn't a deficit, but an investment in a richer, more connected experience for everyone involved.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling squeezed or worried there isn't enough to go around, take a moment. Remember that abundance often comes not from hoarding, but from opening up and making room. When we extend grace and create space for others, we often find that the pie gets bigger, not smaller. It transforms a competitive landscape into a collaborative environment. It is my hope that if we keep practicing that belief, together, we’ll see how much more beautiful and expansive our shared world becomes.