Last night I gave a speech. As I started, I explained to the audience that instead of reading a pre-prepared speech as I usually do, I'd decided to speak off the cuff because of two conversations I had last week.
The first conversation was with someone I've known for a long time. He said to me, "Fiona, it's only in the last three years that I feel like I really know you. I always thought you were nice, but you always seemed so closed." The second conversation was with a widow I only met recently. She said that whilst she had been given my phone number not long after her husband died last year, she hadn't felt comfortable to contact me until I wrote a post in 2lookup a few months ago about how I was going through a tough period. "I realised you weren't all about the positive stuff. That you also still have bad days. And that made me feel normal." These two conversations, one from someone I've known for a long time and one who is a more recent friend, reminded me once again of the power of connection, and how when we are open and honest with other people it allows them to be open and honest not just with us, but perhaps with themselves too. And so I decided last night to not hide behind the mask of words on a page, and to actually live a lyric I love.... I "undressed my mind and dared them to follow". And follow they have. Since last night I've received a couple of messages from people who were there. They've been willing to take their masks off to me, and have shared some of the darkest fears they have, and some of the traumas they have faced. One wrote honestly about a longstanding fear of death, another wrote to me about how unfair life can feel sometimes when some people seem to have it all but she has lost so much. And several others wrote to say that this idea that I spoke about last night that every yes I've been willing to say in the last three years has led me to the next yes would now guide them too. In fact, the only things I've regretted in the last three years have been the things I said "no" to, or the implicit "no" that came from words I've left unspoken. Every yes really does lead to the next yes... Nothing starts with no. Connection to others, being willing to be more grateful for what we have than sad for what we don't have, challenging ourselves to change... all of it starts with saying yes. And as important as it is to take off our masks and truly connect with and be inspired by others, the best part about taking a moment every day to look up and think about what we want to say yes to is that it gives us the power to inspire ourselves. Say yes. ---- Is it a coincidence that today was my first day writing from One Roof co-working space and this is the sign in their kitchen? I don't think so. Follow the signs that lead you forwards.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorFiona is a writer, consultant to government and not for profits and former cynic turned yogi. Archives
June 2017
Categories |