Claim Your Space

I’ve heard a slight variation on these words three times in the last week. I’m going to apologize in advance if this is an overused cliché. I’ve given up most TV these days, so I’ll have to claim ignorance if someone famous coined the term.

The first time the words were spoken it brought tears to my eyes. My husband and I had just watched a production at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. The show was called More Music @ the Moore, and it featured an array of extremely talented young people who showcased their talent with a group of Pike Place Market street musicians. (Did I say young people – how old am I?) I was moved and inspired throughout the evening as I watched these children display their passion and talent like no one was watching. But at the conclusion of the evening, it was the words of Daniel Bernard Roumain (the New York based composer, musician and conductor) which pushed me over the edge. He said with the conviction of a loving parent who might not see their child again, “…claim your space.”

That’s all he needed to say, but my translation was ….we are all worthy, bring your unique talents to this world, and create a stage for your passions. Claim your space.

The second time I heard the term I was at a HR (human resource) conference in Madison. The MC who opened for the keynote speaker at the launch of the conference talked about this time being full of possibilities and now was our time to claim what we're good at...claim your space. I couldn’t help but wonder if the universe was conspiring as I looked to the faces of others to see if it resonated with them, as well. Yup.

The third time I heard the words, it was from my own lips. I was talking to my daughter and her friend just days before their college graduation. My daughter’s friend was excitedly telling me about her upcoming trip across the pond to graduate school in London. As she explained, she hoped to finish up grad school, get a good job, and save up some money…. so she can do want she really wants to do – write.

I wanted to jump across the table and tell her how many have taken a similar path. Given up on our hopes and dreams on a temporary basis, only to find ourselves too entrenched in a career path or a way of life to move down another path. But alas, I didn’t want to sound like someone’s mom. After some gentle discussion on the important of following the clues our passions and talents provide us, I think I heard the words leave my mouth...“think about claiming your space now.”

We'll see....