Listen To The Words As They Fall

 

 

 

 

"Breathe deeply until your heart and mind's eye

start to merge."

 

Mark Nepo

 

 

When we take the time to connect our heart with our mind's eye, we bring understanding into our perspectives rather than judgement.  Our focus shifts from criticism to feeling how someone is experiencing life.  Too often we use our own life experiences as the base line for all peoples.  This is inaccurate, giving us an immediate false start, as each individual has his or her own unique experience. 

 

When we pause to connect our heart with our mind, the landscape is cleared for a new scene to be painted.  In this pause, we can release all preconceived expectations.  Think of it as listening to a story we have never heard before.  Do not race ahead trying to figure out how the story ends and don't calculate which character has the flaw.  Just sit and listen to the words as they fall.

 

When our heart and mind are connected we have nothing but compassion for the storyteller.  It is not our responsibility to judge, critique or offer character assassination.  We are the audience with choices to simply be present, gently clap or widely applaud.  If it happens to be a long saga, a tale of woe, we can offer a loving presence or perhaps a hug when it gets to the end. 

 

As the author, we too have poured out hearts and minds into the story we tell.  We choose the words carefully using them to express our anger, pain, or loss and sometimes joy, delight and fulfillment.  We really aren't looking for feedback about format and punctuation.  We are simply hoping for acceptance and understanding.

 

So during this holiday season, as stories happen to flow, remember to pause and connect the heart with the mind's eye.  Be a compassionate audience, not seeking answers, but witnessing the words of friend and foe.