How did she know I was a kindred spirit? Yesterday while volunteering at the senior center, I had a striking conversation with a stranger about the power of listening to our hearts. Andrew called it an inside job, which is apparently an Alcoholics Anonymous line. He believed our hearts can guide us in how we move in the world. I agree as long as we move humbly, listen, and ask questions.
At one point, he looked at me, smiling, and said, “You’re excited by this conversation.”
I said, “Of course, I am. This is what I’m here for. All we really have is right now between us.” We talked for forty minutes. I gave him my free mobile notary card which is my volunteer business.
On the plane to visit my daughter, my seat mate was a woman from Hungary who is a dual American citizen. We talked of children, travel, and immigration. Her son had gotten a dog. After a lifetime of fearing them, she discovered the magic of a dog’s unconditional love. Now, she is delighted by dogs and is no longer fearful.
Ultimately, we got to values and the corporate business world encroaching ever further on cultures worldwide. She told me about a book by a Hungarian author and told me not to laugh. The woman writes about conducting business with love. (She wasn’t sure if it had been translated into English.)
I got excited. We talked about what control we have in the world, which is only us and our sphere of influence. I told her about Andrew from yesterday.
Oh, to learn to perfect the art of shut-up-and-listen. It allows me to learn from others. It is only this path that generates understanding and hopefully spreads compassion. I’m not going to proselytize or become a keynote speaker to try to spread the word. I’m one person working to listen to my heart. But, how did she know I was a kindred spirit? Following one step in listening to another, until finally taking the chance to go deeper. It’s the leap of risk where the magic can happen.
5.12.26
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