Do You REALLY Mean Everything You Say?

He said, "Let me ask you a question..Do you really mean everything you say?"

*Neutral posture, no body language, emotionless gaze.*

((Where did that question come from, and why can't I "hear" what he's really asking me?))

"Well, with the exception of when I'm "talking shit," which is completely obvious....Yes..I believe I do..Why? Is there a reason you're asking me this?"

"Well, it's just something you said earlier..About how you may feel THIS way about something today....But tomorrow, you may feel completely different.."

((Ahhhh...!))

*Smile*

((I love it when people really listen to what I'm saying..And how nice to have my most recent epiphany addressed..))

**Nod acknowledging the question while processing the answer**

"Yes..It's true! As hypocritical as that may look in this moment, I have come to a deeper understanding of "Beliefs" recently. I'm able to see now that how I feel about anything, and what I believe about anything, is determined by what I have learned about it. So it is not reasonable to refuse to re-examine my beliefs when new information is introduced to me, THAT would not be living authentically."

*Breathe*

**Inventory what I've said..And what I still need to convey**

((I'm doing it! This is making sense!))

"It does not mean that what I think/feel TODAY is wrong, because it isn't, it's just what is true for me IN THIS MOMENT. BUT I am learning new things, all day everyday. So many things I've always thought I deeply understood often look different now, because I'm open to accepting new information about these very important beliefs. I have recently noticed a shift in how I feel about my beliefs and being open to making adjustments, even when it's uncomfortable or hard." 

((Here it is...I'm actually gonna get it all out!))

"In my opinion, the privilege to change our minds whenever we want to is one of the greatest gifts of being human. And the biggest hypocrisy would be to not allow myself to evolve by shutting things out that could shift my beliefs, which would be a huge insult to myself and the people around me, it would not be mindful, it would not be conscious. It would be judgmental, it would be self sabotage, it would definitely be failure. It is our right and responsibility as humans to lead as full an existence as possible, and to accomplish that, nothing can be overlooked or ignored."

*Breathe*

((That wasn't so bad...I think I did it!))

"....You've changed....So much about you is different, you've really changed."

*Neutral posture, no body language, emotionless gaze* 

((Why can't I "hear" what he's really telling me?))

*Breathe, create space, stop trying to judge his words*

"Not just your appearance, something deep about you has changed.."

 ((As good as truly being listened to right now feels, this is getting uncomfortable, he's known me for years and I feel like I'm under his magnifying glass..Well, I meant all of what I said, so it is what it is. It will be ok, I'm being authentic. That's the best I can do. It's ok!))

"You've definitely changed, and only in a GOOD way."

*Nod*

*Breathe....*

((WHEW!!!))

*Smile*

"Thank you...."

Consider This....! (A CHALLENGE)

ORIGINALLY POSTED:   Monday, April 13, 2009 

A smile a day....

Makes the world a better place....


More often than not, we aren't present to witness the effect, whether positive or negative, we cause with our actions, and even our energy. Moreover, I'd say that, when it comes to ordinary, everyday communication with others, the percentage of us that retain these "normal" interactions in some sort of conscious short term memory bank to reflect upon later is very small. It's easy to go through life just watching your feet as you put one front of the other, and staring at the tv, letting it guide your mind...Never really thinking much.

But that's being irresponsible to yourself, to humanity, to the world. Although we can't expect to experience the outcome of everything we do, nor should we try, there is value in maintaining awareness of the shadow we cast upon the world and the effect it has on everything it shades, influencing other energy, and although indirectly, from there it spreads.


It takes 1 small pebble to create a far spreading ripple in a pond..


Smile at someone for no reason the next time you are walking down the street! See how they react! I have found that when I do this, and over the years I HAVE made somewhat of a study of it, the person I am smiling at looks confused and maybe a bit suspicious for a split second, but when they look into my eyes and see that I'm simply extending to them my greeting, a genuine smile, with no alterior motives, they always smile back. Even the ones that look like it is hard for the to muster up a smile for whatever reason. It's almost as though they have found hope in something so easy, so available, so free.

After you pass each other and have taken a few steps, turn around to watch the person you just smiled at. This is something I began doing after getting the same initial response time and time again, ALMOST EVERYTIME, regardless of circumstance. I found that nearly an equal amount of times, if someone was coming toward the person I had just smiled at, (obviously facing me, as well) when they would reach approximately the same distance from each other as I had initially been with the original smile recipient, the approaching person would suddenly have an amazingly similar reaction as the individual I'd originally met in passing, looking surprised at the person they are meeting then starting to smile.....


And so it begins.....


Do the right thing, do good! Make the world what you want it to be!