Beauty in conversations

​I believe that words are powerful and every conversation divinely timed and inspired.  So often we move through our days without significance and weight placed on the words we speak or those given to us through the souls we come into contact with.  I have begun to pay attention, marinate in the moments and find the threads between comments made by complete strangers and my dearest friends.  


​I recently reconnected with two lovely friends that I met last year.  I met Tammy at a meditation retreat in New Mexico in the fall of 2016.  We shared 5 days together at a beautiful five star resort, talked over meals and spent hours in the common space and practice of breathing and living in presence.  When we talked over coffee last week she casually mentioned that I had been on her mind every day since that time and for a reason that, she was sure, I would not remember.  Each day we gathered in a beautiful open yoga space to begin our class.  As is customary we would enter the room, remove our shoes and find a comfortable space to breathe.   One particular morning, Tammy recalls, as I removed my shoes and walked across the room a woman stopped me.  She remarked "You know, you have two different colored socks on.  They don't match.".  Without too much thought placed on my response I looked at her, stoic, and said "That is simply something I don't choose to waste my energy on.  Matching socks.  I don't worry about finding the matching sock."  After that day, Tammy's children no longer wore matching socks and she recounts often not to sweat the little things.  Powerful.  Beautiful.  Unquestionably impactful in a way that I would could not have known.  Something meant for her.  

The second encounter was not so glamorous but was more of, shall we say stumble.  Ok, flat out wish I could take the words back that my head spit out, instead of my heart.  

We met for coffee.  A beautiful two hours spent in vulnerability and authenticity.  The yummy stuff.  The, I could sit here all day, type of conversation where you know you just found another soul sister.  And then it happened.  I staked a claim, made a command and went straight from my heart into my head in business and woosh, fell flat on my face.  The follow up conversations have halted, my heart hurt.  And while trying to work through the situation I found myself telling myself stories about what happened.  (yes, we all have a knack for amazing self talk and story telling.)  I tried to justify the encounter and did nothing but spin for 3 days.  Then I got quiet.  I talked with my coach and support who guided me through my thoughts and stories until I saw the truth, with a capital T.  I had let my head overshadow my heart and while the staking was out of a place of love, it sure sounded like something authoritative and a hell of a lot like "let me fix you".  Ugh, not at all what I had wanted and certainly not where my justifications took me this week.  Yet, another beautiful lesson.  

Here is what I learned....

• Always let your heart speak. 
• Pause and breathe 
• Listen with presence & curiosity 
• Don't discount the impact you make

There is beauty in conversations; and extraordinary lessons that come in these packages.  When reflected upon, every encounter is a blessing, and every mis-step can become a step forward.  There is power in the practice of reflection and even more so when we remain in a place of presence, every moment.  Reflection comes from the heart, justification from the head.  Get lost in the place of your heart, allow for space and breathe...breathe.

In gratitude and love,
xo Cari  

---