The Renaissance is You!
This series is dedicated to new birth – to the light that is always present even when things look dark…and to the new era that I believe we are entering. In last week’s blog I mentioned that after every pandemic, a renaissance has followed – so the next few weeks I am going to suggest the elements that bring on a Renaissance -they include trust, creativity, openness, dynamic appreciation, freedom, limitlessness and listening -and who knows I will probably add and delete as I go.
I am going to start with listening- and before you read much further I want you to know that the kind of listening that brings the new is listening with the inner ears…listening with the heart- listening for what is true beyond appearances. For anyone who has had the so called “listening training” you probably were taught to repeat what you heard – as in “ Let me see if I heard what you were saying” …or you were taught to be attentive – make eye contact – lean forward …etc…All good stuff but not what I am pointing to – and not what I have experienced that brings on the new – that thing that is waiting and wanting to emerge. That requires a whole new listening and a device more sensitive than our outer ears.
The best way I have found to begin this type of listening is to set an intention – that you want to hear beyond what you already know – beyond what you can predict or anticipate – just the simple intent of seeing the new. Years ago we called it putting things on the back burner…taking your attention off the so called problem, so that the answer could appear in the shower or when the mind was free of distractions…or in open communication.
Sometimes the new also appears through the inner eyes – with the same criteria as above…that is also a kind of watching – being ready for a surprise – this sixth sense that something grand is about to happen.
Bear with me on the example…I have a dear friend in Ohio whose wife actively campaigned for the democrats in Ohio. In case you don’t know, Ohio is a red state. In late fall there was a designated spot for buying signs for whichever candidate you wanted to support and people were lining up to make their purchases. My friends’ wife was smiling and waving at everyone as they went by – regardless of which side of the political arena they were on…some were heckling- some showing those finger signs that are all too familiar….but my friend’s wife kept on smiling and waving and keeping an intention of cheerfulness throughout. I don’t know for sure, but I am imagining that she was enjoying the fact, that in spite of this difficult era- we still have choice and power to vote.
A man drove by who was clearly on the opposite side of her position but stopped- rolled down the window and said – even though you are on the other side – I can’t help but wave and smile because you are so nice.
That is bringing in the new – something emerging beyond opinion and beyond position – and organically bubbling up in the glorious design of a human being – the ability to be a renaissance person. I am pretty sure that man and my friend’s wife won’t forget that moment – in part because it so simply and elegantly demonstrates how easy it is to see something new trying to emerge.
So this week – notice what you hear when you listen with those inner ears of knowingness and those inner eyes of connection – watch what appears…write it down or share it with me..Anchor it in your awareness cause next week we move into Trust. Remember – you (we) are the renaissance we are waiting for. And here is a shout out to my friend’s in Ohio – keep up the good work!
