In these uncertain times, we often feel like there is nothing we can do to feel relief, to feel calm, or to feel at peace… sometimes it feels as if there is no way out… I was feeling like this the other day, and had an experience which really woke me up, and has made quite an impact in the way I’m now living my day to day life. I want to share it with you, because perhaps it can help you too.
Like I said, I was just having a bad day… I was on edge, felt like I was going to burst, I was overwhelmed, you know the drill. I was even more annoyed because I was dog sitting and I had to take the dog out. But this turned out to be the best thing I could have done. I got Marley (that’s the dog… love her by the way!) and we started our walk. Marley pulled me very forcefully to stop to say hello to a homeless man sitting on a ledge. This homeless man is a staple in my neighborhood. Everyone has seen him, he walks around all the time day and night, sometimes mumbling to himself, sometimes not. Everyone is aware of his presence. But no one knows him.
Marley wanted to know him, and she ran right up to him, and the man, whose name I later found out is Michael, instantly responded by petting her. He was shaking, which is one of the things that have put people off about him. He was looking down and keeping his mouth closed (he has very few teeth). But he immediately lit up when Marley said hi. His eyes got so bright. And then he very timidly spoke to me… he started to speak a few times and stopped, then finally he said with a tentative smile, “some dogs like me, and some dogs don’t.” And I said, “Yes, well, isn’t that pretty much how people are too?” And he smiled. A HUGE smile. His eyes crinkled up. His whole energy changed. He had actually been seen and heard and acknowledged as a human being. Another person actually connected with him, actually heard him, and spoke to him. And my heart felt like it had been busted open. I felt love for this person. My edginess left, I no longer felt like I was going to burst. I no longer felt frustrated or on edge. I just felt warmth. I felt connection.
And then I got it – That’s it. That’s what it’s all about – connection. Connection between people. True connection. Not facebook or text or email… not asking someone how they are but not really listening to the answer. True connection, really taking a moment to acknowledge another living being… really seeing another person, acknowledging that they have their own stories. They have their own pains and joys and history and memories.
In these extremely unstable, and stressful times, in this fast paced text, Twitter, Facebook, email environment of instant gratification with no actual human face to face interaction, the one thing we really DO need is human connection. And genuinely connecting to another human being is one thing that we CAN do during the chaos or stress, regardless of anything that’s happening in our external world, our financial situation, our job situation, or even our health situation.
Real connection between two people is free. It is easy. It is not something that can be bought or sold or lost or taken. And the feeling you get by experiencing that true connection is more priceless than anything material. Next time you ask someone how they are, really listen. Acknowledge them as a person. Say hi and look a stranger in the eye as you walk down the street… in fact, look a friend or partner or business associate or family member in the eye and really hear what they have to say. Oh, and smile at them too.
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In addition to being a writer for the Huffington Post’s “Women” and “Los Angeles Living” Sections, Holly teaches weekly intenSati fitness classes In Los Angeles which work out the body, mind, and spirit in one fell swoop, and teaches Reiki Energy Healing classes for Weight Loss, to Health Professionals, and to other Healers. She is a Certified Reiki Master Healer, Homeopath, and Certified Natural Health Professional who opened a healing practice, Couture for the Soul, in Santa Monica, CA in 2006. There she worked with individuals with cancer, as well as those suffering from all types of physical and emotional ailments. She now focuses on sharing the tools, energy, and inspiration for personal empowerment through writing and teaching. For more information, please visit www.hollysidell.com. Follow her on twitter @HollySidell.
