jumping jack

the difficulty is not

making evasive maneuvers when someone else is upset 

by rebuffing their airwaves of agony

but rather

to recognize it and trying to ease them by letting the vibes

move around you like a jumpy dog.

we don't have to immerse ourselves in someone's else's field of misery

to feel all its implications

in order to understand them better and what to do about it.

But it usually happens that way, regardless. 

Look the hurt person or dog in the eye. Listen. Talk a little bit.

Why would you not be there to make them feel better if they need it? 

And who's to say you have better luck with a frantic giraffe next time?

cheering

Supporting others

can be helpful or not

Depending on whether they truly need it

Cheering yourself up

and cheering yourself on

is always progress.

Belief inside

carries outward

and shapes your work

where you stand

The place where you are

The people you are with

Cheering inside

can be heard outside

Whether you open

your mouth or not.

Can you hear it?

Where does it start for you?



In writing this I had to think of Ivan Campuzano who is one of the most positive and cheerful people I have ever met (that's his happy face at the top there). His recent post on happiness was a wonderful piece, read it here. But just keep following him, I swear it will make you feel better.

treatment

I like writing about people, not about individuals in a gossipy manner, but how all of us are exploring this vast universe, our world, our private thoughts, our interactions with others. One of my goals is to offer information about these explorations to many people who are looking for it, to meet others and to share knowledge. I would be the first to say: hello you! I'm learning too!

If you would live by yourself all the time, like a hermit, what would you learn really? Don't we learn most when we are interacting with others? At times, the more friction, or upset, the more we can learn, although I wouldn't advocate starting arguments or wars in order to achieve that progress. I read somewhere that the people who challenge us the most, who touch us deeply or simply piss us off beyond belief, are our best teachers. I think this is very accurate.

Instead of perceiving other people as the ones who I'd never like to see again and stay far away from, I have found that it actually doesn't bother me anymore, quite literally too, if I do run into them on occasion it's all fine with me. This is a funny thing and surprisingly: offers great freedom. I can actually wish them well, even if I choose not to be friends with them anymore. I guess we can only be "free" from those, if we have learned to let go of the notion  that we somehow have to "be right" at the end of the conversation, or the silly idea that we always know best. I prefer to think of it as a wise and mature approach, and whenever I catch myself being stuck in an "ego" debate I try to look past whatever it is and "get over it" by realizing I'm being petty or that I don't know all the details.

Being right has never brought anyone anything, except ignorance and arrogance. Haven't we got better things to do? Aren't all of us here to do the same thing? To experience, to grow, and to have fun in a loving and preferably more or less safe environment? I like the idea of treating everyone I meet as if they were related to me in some fashion. This automatically meant I would treat them well, support them in whatever they do and help them if asked for. I will not ask them for anything, as I have all I need inside of me and everyone has got enough to do already. Still, many manage to surprise me with their love, friendship and honesty. To me, that is the most valuable thing of all.