Ripples; paint sticks; July 15, 2015
The past few weeks have had multiple connections with people I’ve mentored or supported in various ways over the years.
Some listening. An encouraging word. Advice or coaching when requested. A link in a network.
At the time, none of these felt very life-changing to me. But wow, was I wrong.
Because I heard words like transformational, a life-line, gave me permission, felt heard, started a healing path, helped me find courage, opened doors.
Pschew. As you can imagine, this brought up some deep emotions and also triggered some of my own shadows of ‘not being enough’.
I unpacked this with someone who has been that mentor/support in my life. She listened and asked, “how comfortable were you hearing some of those things?”
It was really interesting noticing my body and emotions in these meetings and conversations. My body first stiffened with praise-like comments, and I could feel a numbness want to sneak in. But then, as I allowed myself to listen deeper, I could feel a warmth start to emerge in my heart and gut because these comments were genuine with no agenda or big deal behind them. Just a note of, ‘at this point you helped me with this’ and then moving on. Reminders for me of the impact I’ve had without even setting out to have impact.
The best part? In different ways, each of them spoke of supporting others, of the changes they are making in the world, of paying it forward.
Recognition for me of the ripples I’ve created.
We all do this. We create ripples.
It is just as ok (and even good!) for us to notice, acknowledge, and even be proud of the ripples that we’ve created as it is to notice, acknowledge, and be grateful for the ripples that we’ve experienced.
Mary Jo
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