Makes my heart sing

I love having conversations with people and making connections. I love being open to hear whatever someone has to share. I feel this openness in myself provides a sense of ease that allows people to feel very comfortable with me and share things they might not share with anyone else.

I love listening and providing space for people to be whatever it is they need to be. This openness has placed me in a very special position of hearing some very difficult challenges people have experienced in their lives. I feel it is special because they have a sense of trust in me and find themselves sharing things that are scary, hurtful, private and vulnerable. I have no judgement when I am listening. I am just listening and accepting. I love the feeling of relief people experience when they are comfortable enough to share a snap shot of their life and have a loving smile returned to them. The love and acceptance they feel causes them to glow.

I don't have to know all the details of their lives, but when people share these kinds of things with me, I feel I know enough to feel privileged to know them. Sometimes these little episodes of sharing and allowing provide a shift in awareness. Sometimes that little shift can change someone's life.

Feelings of gratitude develop. Witnessing that shift always gives me cold chills all up and down my arms and legs, sometimes even in my face. It's an amazing feeling.

I am so happy to know that even though people experience some heavy challenges that they are open to allowing other people in and sharing what they need to be. People are loving each other and seeing each other with clearer eyes.

It makes my heart sing to see such love.

The best I can be

Understanding, that anyone other than yourself, is going to have a completely different perspective from you is an invaluable coping mechanism.

How can anyone have the exact same perspective as you? They have not experienced the same life events as you. If you have this idea in your mind when communicating with people it helps break down communication barriers, because when you have an awareness about the certainty of a different perspective it allows you to truly listen.

When you are hearing some one talk and have no awareness of this certain difference, you have a subconscious expectation that they will say something that you can agree upon. When something completely asinine comes out of their mouth, your jaw drops in utter surprise. You think, How in the hell can you think that is right? I don't know about you, but I feel the need to interrupt because I want to defend my perspective as the right way of thinking.

However, how can always being on the defense about my perspective expand my awareness. I am here to be the best me that I can be.

Therefore when entering into conversation I intend to set my ego aside and open my ears to the possibility of expanding my awareness.