At House Three Thirty there is an oversized soft-leather couch loaded down with enormously plump pillows. The fireplace next to it is always on, offering just enough warmth to take the chill out of air on wintry days or tone down the ice-cold air conditioning.
And that couch, right there, is one of my favorite places to work or read.
When I'm nestled into those pillows, I feel safe. Comfortable. Creative.
I adore the space. But the story behind it is even better.
I'd love to show you House Three Thirty. It is one of my favorite places in Akron, not just for what it is, but all that it represents.
See, House Three Thirty (named for Akron's area code: 330) is a community center that LeBron James—yes, that LeBron—created near downtown. It's a place for friends and family to gather. There's a Starbucks, an ice cream shop, a theater and banquet center for special events, and even a place to get a slice or two of pizza.
On Saturday, you're sure to find a group of friends playing chess. They meet every week, laughing and talking trash when knights take pawns.
You'll hear laughter drifting from other tables, too, where old friends have gathered to catch up. I've heard the squeals as friends embrace excitedly at seeing each other for the first time in a long time.
Sometimes, House Three Thirty hosts family movie nights or viewing parties for big events like the NBA finals or March Madness.
And during the week, it's my comfortable, safe place to work and be creative.
To just be.
And it's all because of LeBron and the fact that he hasn't forgotten where he came from. He's wrapped that understanding into a simple pledge: I promise.
As in I promise not to forget where I came from.
I promise to make my city a better place.
I promise to do and be better.
That resonated with me recently while I was tucked into the comfy couch. His promise to his community created a place where I feel I belong.
And while I do not have LeBron money, I do have the same calling. How many times each day, do I have the chance to live out those same promises? To give something back, to love unconditionally, to treat everyone I meet with patience and kindness?
I adore House Three Thirty—with its fireplaces and comfy couches. But I love it even more for what it reminds me of:
When you act out of love, you never know just how far the impact of your actions will go. Because kindness and love beget kindness and love.
And the world needs so much more of both. We all just have to promise to be the ones to deliver on it.
