My favorite place to be on Saturday and Sunday mornings is The Flour Bakery. It is such an awesome place. The food is so good. And it has such a happy energy. And literally, it is one of the reasons that we live in this neighborhood.
Last weekend, I was sitting at our table while my husband ordered. There was a young family seated next to me. One very young baby and a 3-year old. Okay, so I was sort of staring at this father interacting with his newborn. It was so awesome. I have no kids and I'm enchanted by this unknown world!
The father noticed me looking at him and I turned away, feeling like I had invaded their gorgeous, tender space. But I could feel the 3-year old continue to look at me. I was actually enjoying this interaction, feeling her curious, interested energy towards me.
Then the father scolded her, "Stop staring! It's not polite."
agh! She could be some future politician or leader whose job it is to create contacts and connections. To lead people where they don't want to go. To stir hearts and minds. To look at them and make them believe. Beginning to be crushed at 3-years old. I hope she gets encouraged to be boldly herself in the future!!! Who cares about staring! We yearn for connection in this modern world. Isn't that what it means to be human? Is there such a thing as one human alone?
And here I am, an adult learning how to create connections, how to connect and feel comfortable by softly gazing at people in the eye as I do public speaking! I pay good money and spend valuable time to get this training. Un-training from what I must have been taught. Not to be offensive and look at others - or have them look at me.
My heart weeps. Yearns for freedom. Yearns to be okay. To love others and feel safe sharing who I am and how I feel. What in the heck else is there in life? No car, no house, no money, no product any company can market to me can fill my heart's need to radiate.
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