New Friends or Strangers
Once a week, I am at a place that one of my dad’s friends calls a little slice of heaven. The Little Beach House Malibu is a place that is set on the California coast, and is a place for creative thinkers to meet, socialize, eat, drink and relax. All day long, I worked on a project with the sound of the waves, gazing out upon the expansive Pacific Ocean. Little did I know, this day would unfold into a profound learning experience about the importance of meeting new people and the unexpected connections that can significantly influence our perspectives.
Toward the end of my day, I was resting on the couch in the center of the room that faces the water, and while lost in my thoughts, someone approached and silently placed a pillow under my head before quietly walking away. This simple act of kindness from a stranger was both surprising and heartwarming. It was a reminder of the goodness that exists around us, often in unnoticed moments.
As the day neared its end, my curiosity and gratitude propelled me to find this kind person to say thank you. Upon finding them, we exchanged introductions and shared a bit about ourselves. My dad mentioned that I had dropped out of middle school to start the Conrad Academy. Their interest was piqued as we delved into what Conrad Academy represented to me and how it defied history and tradition. What was cool is that they sat me down to interview me. They wanted to hear my views on education. Usually, my dad is more of the social one, but on this occasion it was me and these two educators talking about the future. My dad gazed over with a smile on his face as I engaged these two individuals.
The conversation took a fascinating turn when they shared their own ambitious project—a school they were starting in Malibu, designed with the future generation in mind. The gentleman I spoke with was dressed from head to toe in fashionable camouflage, with a hoodie over his head, and cool shoes. He looked like a creative professional in the entertainment industry. But, when he spoke, it was evident that he wasn’t quite what I thought. Although he looked more like a chill, badass Artisan, with swag and edge. When he opened his mouth, the words that emerged were more of the Rational temperament, He was intellectual, abstract, strategic, and visionary. He showed me his curriculum that he created. And it was highly detailed and extremely well thought out. He looked at me and said, “I’m showing you this because you are a CEO. You are the leader of your academy.” His vision for his school was not just about education but about preparing individuals to think beyond the conventional. The analogy he shared struck a chord with me: life as a series of boxes, from birth to education and career, each stage a box that confines us within its walls. He emphasized the importance of breaking free from these metaphorical boxes to truly innovate and succeed.
Their perspective on education, focusing on preparing for the future rather than dwelling on the past, was both refreshing and inspiring. They spoke of different companies and initiatives that aimed to change the traditional trajectory, encouraging a break from the cycle to create something unique and impactful.
The most profound takeaway from this encounter was the challenge to evolve Conrad Academy into a school for the future, one that not only adapts to changes but anticipates and shapes them. This unexpected meeting was a reminder of the power of new connections to inspire change and growth. It underscored the idea that sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zones and introducing ourselves to new people can lead to remarkable insights and opportunities.
This day, what started as an ordinary moment of solitude, transformed into an extraordinary lesson on the importance of reaching out, connecting, and the infinite possibilities that such interactions can bring. It was a call to action to not only evolve Conrad Academy but to rethink our approach to life and success—encouraging us to step out of our boxes and explore the uncharted territories that lie beyond.
