Realtors have to be the most seductive people on earth because their jobs and livelihoods depend upon winning people over. (Confession: I’ve fallen prey to their unintentional charm at least once.) Behind any successful seduction, however, a bit of genuine heart is required, as most of us eventually wise-up to the rest. Taking such care into finding homes for others, Samantha Parker earns her first Dazzler of the Day for putting her heart into her job, while expanding and searching for her own purpose in the city of Albany.
What is most intriguing to me is her mission-without-a-mission-statement for an ongoing/upcoming/ever-evolving project she terms #TheHeartOfAlbany. “My heart has changed courses a couple of times,” she begins on the intro page, and my own heart thrills at someone who can be open and honest enough to acknowledge and face changes as they come, be they difficult or trying or initially-unwanted. The idea she is working on is in its incubation stages – and that’s always impressive for those of use who won’t try anything out publicly unless we are absolutely sure it will work. I admire that courage and audacity. If you’re looking for a home, or simply for some inspiration, spirit and sparkle, check out her website here along with her opening salvo for #TheHeartOfAlbany excerpted below.
What is #TheHeartOfAlbany?
A project or a hobby? I don’t believe it will be anything earth-shattering. With the exception of daily journaling and the occasional social media posts, I don’t really write. So what is this? I tried something a few years back with #TheHeartOfAlbany that never really lifted off because I overthought it. Typical. “Analysis paralysis”, as my friend Eric Meissner would say. At that time, #TheHeartOfAlbany consisted of long form video interviews with the feel and style of who knows what. I had a vision a long time ago while majoring in communications at UAlbany that I would interview people for “the scoop” by asking poignant questions, digging deeper into understanding them so they’d share their soul. Much like Oprah, I have always admired her, (we would be besties). In my mind, that sounded good yet it didn’t happen that way in these videos. BTW – Shout out to Alejandro del Peral and Tom Nardacci. They rolled with me at my first attempts, they trusted me. People will say “yes” when you ask for help, especially when its to share their passion. Long form videos take a lot of time and resources, so the project soon became a hashtag of home sales in the area along with places I found interesting in my travels. Not at all what I envisioned it, however I didn’t want it to fade.
So here I am, a few years later trying not to overthink the #HeartOfAlbany + looking to bring it back somehow. Originally, the idea for this was to document local people doing amazing things in our area. “Change-makers” … people passionate about their craft, their work and highlight the impact they were making. I feel like I am being called to try this “thing” again, and heavily. Reflecting that it’s been a 3 years since “the world shut down” (to the day), there could be some correlation.
So, it’s 2023. What am I doing? What are others doing?
If you don’t know me, a vibrancy has always lived inside of me. I have gotten through sooo much in this life. Because of that I have an immense amount of love and compassion for others, have always been an uplifter, an encourager. My nicknames “perky Sam Parker” and “Sam Sparkle” were welcomed because I am mostly cheerful, I smile a lot. I walk into spaces to warm them. During the pandemic I would do FB Live videos with birthday wishes and reading daily excerpts from A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel, just to spread optimism. To spread hope. Being around people brings life into every fiber of my being so you can imagine I was itching to break out of jail. I do my best to find silver-linings, it always gave me hope and always strengthened me.
So, as I look around at this city right now, in 2023, who is rebuilding this city after some darks days, weeks, months even years, post-apocalypse? I know there are a vast number of people who complain a lot. I am not talking to those people. I am asking if there are others that believe there is great opportunity here who are eager to see this city vibrant again? Are you wondering the same thing? Perhaps you are seeking more for our home too. Are people doing something to restore and/or keep their vibrancy and passion alive here too? If so, I need to find them. Talk to them. Maybe they never left. Maybe they did. Maybe they abandoned their ideas and gave up and are stagnant, or maybe like me they are finding their passion again. Someone out there must know though. I cannot be the only one craving more energy. #TheHeartOfAlbany may not make big waves or reach the masses, but if one story turns into two, two then turns into three… I would be so happy. I have no mission statement, just a heart. And if it leads me to a few more hearts who desire the same things, thats a huge win. Are you someone I should talk to? I am here for it.
