In February 2021, still in the thick of a pandemic, I felt a nudge to invite people to share their stories … I felt a sense that we needed to learn from one another (despite our apparent disconnection with others and the world at the time) … we needed to HEAR people’s stories … to CELEBRATE … to TEACH … I wanted to provide an opportunity for people to SHARE what they’ve come to know … to impart their tiny bits of wisdom … with me … with the world …
Below, is but one of many stories I hope to share … if you’re interested in sharing your story, please reach out to me (hintzleanne@gmail.com). I would love the opportunity to serve you (and others) in this special way.
Interviewer: Leanne Hintz
Interviewee: Jacqueline Samson
Date of Interview: April 27th, 2021
Leanne: Who are you?
Jacqueline: “We’re not human beings having a spiritual life … we’re spiritual beings having a human experience” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a famous French philosopher).
This bumper sticker slogan represents a great deal of who I am. It’s something that has always been important to me (even as a child), especially amidst the chaos of my upbringing. I spent a lot of time outside and have always felt connected to the world around me.
Beyond this, I am a beloved child of God, even though I did not fully come to know this until my 40s.
I believe I came into this world to experience the whole myriad of the human experience … to learn to love what God loves.
I am (or have been) a minister, a chaplain, a mother, a spouse, a lover, a daughter, a sister, and a cousin … I haven’t fully experienced ALL of these roles (and some have come with their challenges), but I have fully embraced my role as a mother and as a spouse, and now, my role as a grandmother. Even before my grandchildren were born, I was fully committed to being a part of their lives. I have learned so much about the intricacies of being a human from these various roles!
Beyond this, I always hope to be “a glimmer of God” … to shine “the light” … I definitely aim to be conscious … awake and alive … being a fully-present part of all that is!
Leanne: Looking back on your life, talk about some of the things you’re really proud of.
Jacqueline: While I can’t relate to the proud peacock or rooster strutting around, I do have intense feelings of gratitude … nothing I have accomplished has been “on my own” … it’s always been a “group effort” … I believe the universe supports “movement” when we’re doing what we’re called to do …
I am proud of my resilience though … I feel like this is a gift and it IS something I’m proud of … I’ve had to make some huge moves … across continents and countries … but I’ve come to know that wherever I land, I’ll be okay … whatever I need will come … thus, I am also proud of my faith and my belief in God’s abiding love, as well as my ability to learn, especially from creation but also from life’s experiences … there is always something somebody can teach us.
I am proud of my children and my grandchildren … I am proud of my efforts to be a good mother … this was really important to ME, because it was something I didn’t have …what a blessing to be a solid foundation for them! I believe I’ve raised “conscious humans” and for that I AM proud!
I am also proud of my courage … I’ve bitten off some huge things in my life, but I finished or did them. For example, my journey of studying to be a minister for the United Church took eight years, and though I wanted to quit a few times, I stuck with it. I’ve also left everything I know time and time again … this is tough, but it ends up being a big game changer every time … this has taught me that I can make friends and family wherever I go … and sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zones.
Finally, I am really proud of doing “the right thing” regardless … this does mean breaking the rules sometimes or being a bit of a “rebel.”
Leanne: What advice would you like to pass along to someone else?
Jacqueline: “A job worth doing is a job worth doing well.”
This is something that has always stuck with me (ever since I was child) … whatever you’re doing … enjoy it … do your best! Rest well … eat well … love well … no matter what you’re doing … do it well … do it right … do it with your heart … do it wholeheartedly!
Another piece of advice? Let go of unfair expectations of people … sure, set boundaries, but be aware of how your expectations “bite your butt.” It’s possible that what you “expect” from someone else just isn’t possible for them … they’re not capable … they have their own unique “processor” and simply can’t do what you want them to … so we should study people well, especially the ones closest to us …
Of course, I’ve always been a big advocate of the four agreements as well … don’t take things personally, be impeccable with your word, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best …
Live life! Pray, dance, laugh, sing, smile!
Leanne: If you could pick ONE thing in your life to “do over,” what would it be? Why?
Jacqueline: There’s really nothing that I would “do over,” because without the experience I wouldn’t have had “the lesson” … the “maturing” … the “understanding” … however, I do wish I could have journeyed with less fear … lived more simply … communicated much better. I wish I could have articulated what I really needed … the things I need to keep me alive.
Leanne: I still really want to … (list as many things as you like) …
Jacqueline: I still really want to write a book, go to Ireland, be a part of the change I wish to see in the world, hug my estranged family members (my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister), sing, dance, laugh, love, make love, and live with passion!
Our Life Well Lived - Leanne Hintz 