Uberman

On this fine Wednesday morning, my body is 25 years young.  It may not seem like much.  After all, anybody well advanced in years may look at 25 as a paltry sum where years are concerned.  Yet in my 25 years I have seen and experienced just enough to bring me into contact with empowering and whelming individuals, health conscious folks, and academically inclined minds which has created a special atmosphere for my developing mind and being.  Of all of these experiences, which have of course included plenty of transgressions and less than fabulous events to learn from at my hands, no single one idea or concept in relation to living life well has struck me quite like the one I recently have encountered.

Let me rephrase that: No single idea or concept in relation to living life well has given me such a timely and lovely kick in the ass, such a necessary reproving, or such an incredible determination to transform.  As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been pretty amazing.

Amazing may very well be an understatement.  This concept of remaking how I view myself, others, and how I respond to life is one which sticks to the ribs, gets stuck underfoot and lingers overhead.  It is unavoidable once you know it.  And not only is it unavoidable, but it has created for me the most empowering feeling during interactions of various kinds.  A sense of true calm.  I have never been so aware of the words that come out of my mouth.  I have never been so aware of how I perceive the people and situations that I encounter.  I have never been so aware of my own transformation.  I have never been so committed to that transformation.  It has made me over in so many ways. 

Now “it” is nothing huge, nothing major, nothing monumental, that is to most folks out there.  Yet to me, it is the most monumental of all things that has been afforded the Human Spirit.  It has the ability to create amazing experiences where before havoc and chaos were the norm.  It has the ability to remake the shabbiest of interactions into peaceful and constructive blessings between people.

So here it is.  Just imagine this scenario unfolding before your eyes.  Put yourself there:

Your friend/family member/Billy your neighbor/your lover/virtually anyone: “I just want you to know...::Cascading emotional reaction + harsh language + challenging disposition follows::

You: Silent. Drawing on the power within silence.  ::Enter your mind: “Let me search for the health in this situation.  Let me see where this person’s intentions are positive and actually loving.  Let me see how I may respond to create as much peace and love for both myself and for this person.  Searching the situation...:: 

Your friend/family member/Billy your neighbor/your lover/virtually anyone: “So, what’s the deal?!”

You: “I am taking it all in.  I appreciate your being open with me.  I need a moment just to gather my thoughts on what you have just said so I can respond to the matter.  Thank you.”

Your friend/family member/Billy your neighbor/your lover/virtually anyone: “Well hurry up!  I ain’t got all day/year/any number of other random or harsh emotional reactions.”

You: Silent. Drawing on the power within silence.  ::Enter your mind: “Let me search for the health in this situation.  Let me see where this person’s intentions are positive and actually loving.  Let me see how I may respond to create as much peace and love for both myself and for this person.  Searching the situation...:: 

Invariably, the silent space which is within your power, when used to see the health in the person, to see what is at the root of their complaint or emotional reaction will lead you to respond compassionately, with love, and with an air of reassurance which when repeated over time creates a new found sense of peace and congeniality between you and the world.  The other party involved could be anyone and anywhere.  Your response is grounded.  It is based on clarity.  It is based on love and having given yourself the time that you needed to consider the matter in silence prior to deciding what you would say or do, if anything.  We always have the option of doing or saying nothing further.  We always have this silent space of power in our hands to draw on.

This situation could very well be reversed as well.  You may find yourself in situations which give rise to emotions which would seem to warrant immediate action.  You may find yourself experiencing emotions which would have in the past brought forth criticisms, harsh language, and results which were either mediocre or disastrous for your peace of mind and/or your relationship with the other party.

In such cases, remember, you always have this silent space of power in your hands to draw on.  You: Silent. Drawing on the power within silence.  ::Enter your mind: “Let me search for the health in this situation.  Let me see where this person’s intentions are positive and actually loving.  Let me see how I may respond to create as much peace and love for both myself and for this person.  Searching the situation...::

Be receptive to the opportunities in your life to use this powerful silent space.  It is a gift.  I have found it amazing and transformational.  Acknowledge the power you have within yourself. 

Your life is an expression of all your thoughts.

~Marcus Aurelius

Tagged: reaction, peace, positive, holly lewis, silence, health, relationship, emotions, response, power