Lemon . Tart . Wisdom
Part 2:
What would happen in our world if we all took the time and truly listened to one another? If we heard each other’s stories? Empathised with each other’s sorrows, hopes and dreams? Imagine what we could learn from each other if we stopped to listen.
I know that whenever I have had the privilege of sitting down with someone and hearing their story, I have walked away enriched and deeply connected to what Wayne Dyer referred to as the ‘One Humanity’.
Taking the time to connect with people reinforces that they are so much more than what they project, so much more than they seem.
As well as learning a bit about my remarkable new cyclist friend, I was treated to many insightful and wise words from her.
Some learnings that I would like to integrate into my mind and being:
1. ‘Comparisons are the unravelling of people. There is no need for comparison.’
She rides but is not worried about her ‘time’ - another rider covering the same ground might be concerned about their ‘time’; the speed they have achieved. That is okay, but their focus is not for her to compare or worry herself with.
2. ‘We all need to do what we need to do.’
Find your ‘thing’ and pursue it. Don’t worry about what others are doing.
3. ‘Don’t put a roadblock in place - even with your speech. Really there's no ‘just’.’
When she asked me to describe my work and goals I did so beginning with ‘just’. Without consciously focussing on it, I was reinforcing a self-view which was ‘not quite good enough’. My words were deflating me.
Instead of using words that put ourselves down, how can we use language to show that we ‘have our own back’?
From today - in gratitude for the opportunity to have met such a seemingly ordinary person who was living an extra-ordinary life, I commit to eliminate the word ‘just’* from my daily speech and thoughts.
So now:
I am no longer ‘just a writer’ - I am a writer.
I am no longer ‘just a mum' - I am a mum.
I am no longer ‘just a wife’ - I am a wife.
I am no longer ‘just an artist’ - I am an artist.
I am no longer ‘just ………..’ - I am whatever it is I choose to be.
*(Unless it actually does relate to justice!)
