I'm so glad that you aren't like me. I'm so relieved that I am not surrounded by a community of people who look just like me, talk just like me, think just like me, or have the same history. I've been with me for enough years to be slightly bored with the idea of spending more time focusing on just me! Not that I don't love myself and appreciate myself; this entire month has been a gratitude exploration of celebrating just how amazing my life really is. I am excited to continue to grow in the ultimate revelation and expression of what my greatest life story can possibly be. HOWEVER, there is so much to be learned and gained from embracing the wisdom, humor, perspective, lessons, burdens, joys, and insights of other people. Here is an interesting test: the next time you are in conversation with another person, take note of how many times you use the word "I". Begin to notice how much of a conversation you spend discussing yourself. And then dare to spend an entire conversation NOT allowing a single reference using the word "I". You might be stunned, as I am, by how much time we spend talking about ourselves. Again, I hope you understand that I'm not advocating you deny your own importance. What I am spearheading here is the idea that there is deep value in investing interest beyond yourself and into the minds and thoughts and experiences of other people. I am in the process of actively learning that by becoming more interested in others I actually learn more about myself. By truly listening to other people I gather valuable insights for navigating my own journey. And by turning the focus off of me and onto others I enable shared growth, learning, and community.
We are all so different. No matter how put together we may seem, we all have endured heartache and pain. We all have stories to tell and a unique perspective on the shared room that is life. We are all living here together but we all see something slightly different based on the baggage that is strapped to our backs. Appreciating that everyone is carrying a load that may be heavier or lighter then mine enables me to restrain judgement and extend grace to situations that I don't understand. Recognizing that everybody's story carries within it joy and sorrow and humor allows me to shift focus to understanding others before rushing to prove my own validity and importance. My opinions are strong but not always right. Sometimes I'm wrong. Sometimes my input is not the most valuable in the room. Sometimes I greatly benefit from biting my tongue, being quiet, and allowing others to take the stage. I learn the most when I am silent. I become heard in the conversations where I'm actively listening. And I shine the most when I'm putting the spotlight on others. The beauty of our differences creates a wonderful tapestry. There is a time to focus on me, but there is just as much, if not more, good to be gained by celebrating others.
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