I bring, among other things, the gifts of listening and perspectives to my community. Listening provides an open space where people can venture out and share those tender experiences that otherwise they might safeguard by bottling up. That tendency to protection, though, deprives the community of the abundance of all its members' experiences, what we label as good or bad but all of which are essential to making us who we are. Perspective also is a valuable gift in helping us realize that our initial reactions and responses to our experiences are not ultimate but temporary and passing. It also helps us realize that we are not alone in this adventure but that we are part of a larger whole, a community that become richer and more loving because we are part of it.