Meet Jouaye.

I met him outside a McDonald’s in Uptown Minneapolis. He was hanging with a group of friends from the charter school he attends. It was a special field day for their visual arts and technology course. The students had just eaten and were gathering before their next event.

I asked Jouaye one question. “If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do with your life?”

This was his response.

“I’d live happy with whoever I’m with.”

I was tempted to ask more, but didn’t. Jouaye had nothing further to add. His answer was more than acceptable. In fact, it was brilliant.

So what can we learn from Jouaye?

Jouaye’s response to my question was simple, yet profound.

Perhaps some of our greatest joys are found not in possessions, but in people. Perhaps our greatest fulfillment is found not in doing more or having more or being more, but just enjoying more of right where we are.

I’d love to know. What pieces can you take from Jouaye’s dream and apply to your own life? 

*This post is a part of a month-long 31 Days series titled Dreams from the Street. If you’d like to read more from my series, click here and you’ll be brought to the series landing page where all 31 posts are listed and linked! You can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/AmyBPederson where I’ll tweet links to all 31 posts using hashtag #write31days, and I’d LOVE to connect on Facebook at facebook.com/AmyBPederson! I’m so glad you stopped by. Make yourself comfortable and take a peek around the place. You’re welcome back anytime.