There is a space between what feels inevitable and what is. The space is called choice. When I forget I have one of those, a choice, I start the process of going mad. No matter how tight the spot, there is room for me to show up. Sometimes I get bowled over, sometimes my choice changes things, sometimes it doesn’t really matter. Where I feel fused with you, feel inevitable in our interaction, there is the same space, and the same potential. It helps if I wait and get more information, see where you are in the space, see who you are instead of assuming it is as it always is/was/couldbe/shouldbe/etc/exhausting. Wait, listen, think, feel, speak, act, and listen some more.
I remember in one of your articles you mentioned that a major part of your life is spent observing. It seems this would be a natural for you. However, for me, it’s a struggle. I am really working on trying to listen first, to understand, trying to empathize but it’s hard to do. One thing I do love about life, actually, life as a human being…we always have the opportunity to change. Choices create change.
I like the title of this one even if the picture makes me feel uneasy. I have learned to stop and sometimes silently count to ten to help process what is happening. This photograph makes me feel like a deer in the headlights and I don’t know what to do.