A Cared For Connection

Love
Rippling out there to others
Starts with me
Slowing down
Getting still
Listening to my heart
Speaking my truth
Filling myself up
So I can be the listener
And love bearer
To others
And the change
I want to see in the world.

“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”–Romans 14:19

As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach and the music plays in the stores and on the radio, I find myself starting to feel overwhelmed. Oh no, here it comes again. All the to do’s, the focus on material things, and the feeling of “not enough” come rushing to the forefront of my mind.

Then I stop and ask this question — How might I do things differently this year, such that I stay true to what I value and what I want to create for my family?

The change I want to see in the world is for people to slow down, be available to one another and listen at the deepest level. This means spending time listening which means refraining from throwing in our own “stuff” and also wanting to “fix it” for the other person.

One of the things I noticed, when I slowed down to listen, was that I haven’t been connecting with the important people in my life the way I want to.

How does the “doing” of life seem to get in the way of the “being?”

The ever present and never ending “to do” list drives me to an almost frenzy some days. What’s missing is the time that I spend with my husband, my friends, my children, or my co-workers, just caring for one another.

Is this desire to spend time connecting on a deeper level perhaps a theme that runs through my life and my relationships? I wish I had time to reach out and call my friends and just listen to what they’re going through. Listen in a way that doesn’t feel like I need to help them or solve anything. Just listen and be there.

Connecting. What does it take? Really, it can be just a touch. Last night I went to a show at the high school with my son to see his girlfriend perform. The connection that I saw my son make that impacted me the most, was when we were standing in line for ice cream and he was touching his girlfriend’s elbow. Just his finger gently touching her elbow seemed to say something about how he feels about her. It was a definite signal that he was connecting to her in a loving way. I found it a bit amusing to watch because he and I rarely, if ever, hug or share a loving touch as mother and son.

So, if listening and a deeper “I care about you and for you connection” is what I am longer for, I wonder if others are longing for this too?

Because I value connection, I release my attachment to how others should be or act. I have faith in Divine Love moving in and through me to guide my relationships.

God, show me a sign; help me to be used for a greater purpose, your purpose. It’s really not about sitting around wishing others would act a certain way towards me. That never works and I know all too well that the only person I can control is myself. So, if this is a change that I want to see in the world, then I must be an ambassador for it. I must embody and be it.

One thing is for sure, when I don’t feel cared for in a body, mind and spirit way, then I don’t do a good job of caring for those around me. If I feel cared for, that someone is listening to me, that someone cares about and for me, that I’ve got a partner, then I’m more able to be there for my children, my husband, and others who also need care and attention.

How will you be the change you want to see this holiday season and have the season you’ve been dreaming about? It’s possible and it’s up to you!