I have returned from some time away and once again will be posting a weekly blog here on Nicotera Notes - hopefully providing tools, resources and insights that are useful to you as we all seek to live our truth in the world. I'd like to dedicate this reflection, my first in while, to all those affected by Sandy, in particular to all those who, in the midst of great trial, helped "to see each other through."
Last week, while attending the Association of Fundraising Professionals of NJ's (
AFP NJ) annual conference on philanthropy, I had the opportunity to spend a few moments with AFP's keynote speaker, author, entrepreneur and co-founder, Chairman & CEO of BCT Partners,
Dr. Randal Pinkett.
What impressed me most about Dr. Pinkett was not that he had won The Apprentice, has multiple degrees from Oxford, MIT and Rutgers, or even that he was a Rhodes Scholar. What impressed me most about him was the fact that long before I met him at the Conference, out of the public eye, he took time to mentor one of our students from Newark's Cristo Rey School,
Christ the King Prep.
Dr. Pinkett, from my perspective, walks the walk when talking about the importance of giving back to the community and building Dr. King's beloved community. He gave our student, Robert D'Ambreville, the opportunity to work at BCT Partners; but more than this, he took the time to mentor a young man from Newark, encouraging him and helping him to see that with hard work, discipline and perseverence, he can accomplish his dreams and realize his deepest desires.
One of the things Dr. Pinkett shared with us during his remarks remains with me, especially as I think about Robert, now a college sophomore, and as I reflect upon the devastation, loss and pain so many of us experienced as a result of "Super-storm Sandy" (which is ever-present for us as we wait, with a patched roof, for insurance and FEMA money to arrive having had a tree fall on our home, but deeply grateful for our health and safety). Dr. Pinkett said that "we must not see through each other but rather see each other through." What inspires me about Dr. Pinkett is not his charisma or intellect, though I respect and appreciate both, but what speaks to me in the depths of my heart and soul, what moves me in the marrow of my bones, is the fact that he "helped see Robert through."
Similarly, what encourages me, despite Sandy's destruction, is that so many neighbors and strangers alike took the time, and continue to do so, "to see each other through." In a fast-paced society and a culture that often moves at the speed of technology, and seems to be careening out of control, in a society where, let's face it, we often see through each other and go about our business without paying much attention to the needs of our neighbor, Dr. Pinkett and all the ordinary heroes and inspirational neighbors and strangers who came together "to see each other through" during and after Sandy invite me and all of us to remember what is most important, that we truly find our best selves and deepest truth when we lose ourselves in service to, and care for, one another and see each other through.
