Wow--it has been too long since my last post. Not that anyone has been following....;-\
I am a bus rider--to and from work. This puts me in relatively close proximity to strangers on a daily basis.
Some days
the morning bus environment is a heavy heavy place to be. The atmosphere
changes palpably from fresh air to something that presses on you as you find a
seat. People keep to themselves. As I settle in for the 12 minute ride, I look
around for that spark---shown as an ocular resonance--of joy in its resting
state. I look for the projection of contentment. For signs of awareness. Some
days are better than others. Some days, the crazies are our best hope.
I realize
something in myself---these are my peeps! I care for these people and would take care
of them if I could--help them connect back to that spark. Me--the hermit. Basic
Tribal Mary stuff I guess.
I also
realize that there are fewer of us awake than I had hoped. This brings about a
feeling of immense gratitude to have been lucky enough to read the memo. Think
"Joy inside my tears" ala Stevie Wonder. (Not that I am emotionally defined.)
But I have not been given a waiver--It also weighs on me--this heaviness that can be sensed in individuals. So much cloaking--my fellow bus riders are adept at putting up the shields--an attitude. On the bus this morning--most had their program face on---so many
hiding within defensive postures--so separate. The bus was full, still
there were a few who deliberately took up two spaces. Then there was a
young girl who gave up her seat for an elderly man. It's all there!
Something so simple can be so powerful--both the selfish and unselfish
acts ripple outward. If I were keeping score this morning, it would be a
50-50 split. But from the view point of hope, there were probably
others there who would have given up a seat, shared a smile or
acknowledgement, if the situation allowed it.
Next time you are in a crowd of strangers, take them in. Look, listen, feel what they are putting out. Does it feel right? Does it feel like you? How difficult would it be to make a connection? Practice not having a game face--it is harder than it seems. I continue to work on this every day. Some days are better than others.
*Highlighted words refer to descriptors used in the Human design System.
