LOVE MONTH: DAY 15: “When I say it’s you I like; I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”― Fred Rogers
Wow! It is hard to imagine that we are all living into that part of ourselves.
I remember on several occasions when I knew certain people in ways they were not aware of. Their ability to be something more than they knew themselves to be. I could see through their ego-self into their heart-self. This happens for me a lot. We all have this skill, to see past what a person wears on the outside; their day-to-day cloak of Ego defenses and story.
We seldom do this because we are so self-centered that we approach each other, most often, with Ego leading the way. We dress up to cover ourselves from the outside so no one can touch the inner self that is vulnerable, lonely, afraid, etc. Whatever story we have going on that day at that time.
When we pretend to be more self-assured and confident, we are making ourselves unavailable to others by judging and telling ourselves we are superior or inferior. You know that drill!
But to approach each other on the level playing field of “I am here, not so sure, feeling okay if you will be nice and not hurt me.” Sometimes we can do this and are surprised to find that others respond in such kinder ways to that approach. Less Ego, more Heart.
I love when I am able to do this. It happens ALL the time with animals. I can often approach people whom I recognize as being present. More difficult with those who have huge masks in place, because there is so much work to get behind the mask.
I have worked with this for so many years in the work I do. I seldom feel up to this task when approaching people in other settings, because it is so challenging. Working with mentally ill people can be so tough, and yet the love that can be shared is beautiful if I remember to just be in love with them the way Mr. Rogers speaks of here. It means I have to set aside MY ego to be in that space. It really is, however, the best way to walk through the world anyway. No matter who I am meeting or encountering on any given day. Not only animals, but almost all people respond back with love. It is the challenge of my life to do THIS in all of my affairs. Oh yeah!
Dolphin Hug 