Receiving Wonder
I sat with about fifteen elementary school student yesterday in the middle of the school gym. I pulled out a bunch of paints, brushes and some stick-on glittery jewels. We painted, laughed and played together for a good while. I am teaching in an after school program, building relationship with self and others through creative expression (www.somamovement.org). During the class, I saw a fourth grader helping a first grader get bigger with his body. I danced with a first grader using our feet alone, and when our eyes met, we both smiled one of those big smiles that takes up your whole face. It is amazing when we allow ourselves the space to be who we are. The space, not filled up with words, but with soul. It is hard to explain with words, obviously. But the experience yesterday, after feeling pretty low lately, brought me joy and gratitude. Being with the children taught me that simply being is beautiful. I can relax, and not have to try so dang hard. Wonder can fill the room, and I can just receive it.
Yes, I'm all for less talk and more connect! Turn off that cell phone and let's hold hands. Someone recently told me that they stopped visiting a loved one in the nursing home because that person became unable to verbally comunicate and so all they could do was watch TV together. I have certainly felt that seemingly unbearable discomfort when there is silence in the room but I want to change that. I think I would like to start by learning how to give someone a foot massage. What a nice way that would be to share the silence. And maybe, eventually, I can just relish the silence.
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