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Grace & Gratitude
By: Patrick Maguire
Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service
Posted: 03/4/2016
This is too inspirational and important not to share.
Sarah Livesey exemplifies genuine hospitality in a seemingly effortless manner. Moments after meeting her at Blue Dragon in Boston, I was very impressed by how she handled our group, simultaneously giving us direction and comfort that we were being taken care of. Subsequent interactions confirmed the ease with which this consummate pro takes care of her guests, staff, and the house. Yes, ‘I remember more about how she made me feel than what she said’.
After a serendipitous, life-changing diagnosis, and in the midst of treatment, Sarah embarked upon a project that was intended to be “a visual representation of all the love and support that I [Sarah] have in my life.” She collaborated with artist, Ari Hauben to tell her story through a work of art accompanied by a moving short film.
“The intention of this piece of art is to create a visual representation of all of the love and support that manifests through the healing journey. To highlight one’s ability to choose perspective and outlook on all things. To activate deeper levels of consciousness, by tapping into creative power. To use challenge as a platform for growth and inspiration. To access now for strength in the process and later as a reminder of this moment. To superimpose an image of what comes next, to help me, and others to heal.” – Sarah Livesey
Sarah, thank you for sharing your grace, gratitude, and story with all of us.
Please take a moment to view the short film and share if the spirit moves you. Thank you.
[Shared with permission of Sarah and Ari.]
One Response to “Grace & Gratitude”
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Permalink | Posted in Human-to-Human Service | 1 Comment »
Dear Patrick, thank you so much for this lovely post. I have always admired the passion, purpose, and deep sense of humanity with which you imbue your work, and I am honored by your words. It is my deepest desire that my experience of this health crisis will somehow be of service to others. It is important to me that people hear the message that we are stronger than we think, and that we ALWAYS have the ability to choose our perspective.
I miss the rhythm, flow and tempo of being in the hospitality business…but what I miss the most (of course) is the PEOPLE. Colleagues, staff, guests, strangers…all make up an incredibly vibrant, lively (and sometimes highly combustible!) tapestry of life. And as we know all too well, industry folks are the best in the world!! My friends that I have met & made in this business are loyal to a fault and they have been among my pillars of strength. They have been the ones who are accompanying me to every doctor’s appointment to filling my fridge with food that works for my newly restricted diet.
So I remain humbled and in awe at this reminder of the ways in which we serve…not only the public, but EACH OTHER. I consider myself blessed to have had a twenty-five year career in this industry full of big-hearted, talented, creative, passionate and loyal people. Thank you, Patrick, for speaking for those people, and for offering your own platform for other people’s stories to be heard! I deeply appreciate you sharing my journey and the messages contained there in. With much love and gratitude, Sarah. (Also: thank your for sharing the link to my Grace + Gratitude FB page, which is where people can find updates and more info about the making of the piece!)