It started with an invitation.
Not one I expected—
but one that felt worth saying yes to.
A message was shared in a school group chat,
inviting families to attend a Holi celebration at Navy Pier.
I had heard of Holi before.
I had even thought about going at one point.
But I didn’t quite know how to approach it.
It wasn’t a part of my culture,
and I didn’t want to navigate that experience alone.
But this felt different.
The invitation was open.
Welcoming.
Inclusive.
And something about that made it feel like
the right moment to go.
So we did.
And from the moment we arrived…
you could feel it.
The energy was high—
but in the best way.
Not overwhelming.
Not chaotic.
Just alive.
There was music filling the air.
Vibrant. Rhythmic. Joyful.
There were colors everywhere—
bright, bold, impossible to ignore.
And there were people…
warm, welcoming, inviting.
It didn’t feel like we were outsiders looking in.
It felt like we were being welcomed into something.
And that made all the difference.
My child was all in.
Laughing. Running. Playing.
Completely in the moment.
And watching that?
That was my favorite part.
Seeing them—
and all the kids—
in their element,
sprinkled with colorful joy.
There was something so freeing about it.
No overthinking.
No hesitation.
Just pure presence.
And I found myself feeling it too.
Taking it all in.
Capturing photos.
Watching the colors move through the air.
It was vibrant.
It was beautiful.
It was… refreshing.
Not just visually—
but energetically.
And somewhere in the middle of all of it…
I realized something.
Sometimes the most meaningful experiences
are the ones we’re invited into.
The ones we may not fully understand at first.
The ones that feel a little unfamiliar.
The ones we might hesitate to step into alone.
But when the space is welcoming…
when the energy is right…
those can become some of the most memorable moments.
This experience wasn’t about fully understanding everything.
It was about being present.
Being open.
Being willing to step into something new.
And leaving with something meaningful.
A world of experiences awaits you.
Some of them may look unfamiliar at first.
Go anyway.
Go.
Try.
Do.
Make It Your Own
Try saying yes to something new:
- Attend a cultural event in your city
- Go with someone—or accept an open invitation
- Be curious, respectful, and present
- Allow yourself to simply experience it
Your Turn
What’s something you’ve been curious about—
but haven’t experienced yet?
