I woke up this morning and had this thought of, “I like your as-you-are-ness.” I’ve written about this before but I think about it a lot, so I’d like to share it again. It’s a message that has something essential about it.
I used to do a lot of catering and extra work in movies, and got to be around a lot of movie stars, politicians, producers and directors. There’s always that initial excitement when you meet someone famous.
Once I was catering at Carroll O’Connor’s house — Archie Bunker from All in the Family. It was just me and him standing at his bar. He was showing me all the liquor because I’d be the bartender for the party. It was a small get-together of about 8 or so people.
Initially I was like, “OMG, I’m standing an inch from Archie Bunker and he’s telling me about all the different spirits!” Then after a few minutes, it felt like he was a guy just telling me where things were.
The funny thing was, when he became a guy, I was so much more enchanted by his personness. His aliveness. That’s what enchants me about everyone.
I’m kind of nervous and shy around people but after a few minutes that falls away and I realize, “Here’s people.” There’s something basically delightful about people — I can smell their aliveness.
It makes me feel connected to them. I’m alive and they’re alive — we share the essence of being alive — it’s something we have in common, so I don’t feel alone.
Sometimes when I talk with my clients I hear them say, “Why can’t I do this? What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel stuck?” Meanwhile, I’m sitting there with them thinking, “As you are, you’re enough.” I know these things matter to each person in the moment. But sometimes it helps to be seen for what we really are — rather than the momentary highs and lows.
There’s something that makes us feel okay when we see the sweet, basic essence of aliveness or other people see it in us. And I want to tell you that I see it in you, as you’re reading this.
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