For your consideration…..
Today’s message came through via a reminder of an event that happened on a trip to China several years back. I was traveling with my sister-in-law, Cathy, which is always fun. We had decided that we wanted to travel out of the city into the country. We booked a tour. As we were coming up to the border there were armed guards. Our tour guide who up to that point had been the “life of the party” became very controlled and stern. He tells us, “The guards will board and ask to see your passports. Please do not make any jokes and do not look the guards directly in the eyes.” I was then and am reminded of dog training. To gain dominance you look them in the eye literally staring them down or when dealing with a pack of wolves, heaven forbid, you look the leader directly in the eyes. A challenge can be read through the eyes.
Why? Because just as the proverb says, “They eyes are the window to the soul”.
Consider poker players. Truly great ones can shut down their feelings and become impassive so that they can not be “read”. Others wear sunglasses to prevent the “tell”. We reflect our true feelings through our eyes.
Again, “The eyes are the window to the soul”. Today’s message reminds us of this for a couple of reasons. First because for true and real meaningful communication, we need to look…..really look…..at those we are communicating with. If we want our message to be clearly understood, we must look the recipient in the eyes when we are delivering it. Likewise if we are the recipient and want to be clear on the message we are receiving, we must look at the deliverer.
The second reason we are getting this message today deals with technology. I have had many discussions with friends about Facebook and other media like it. All of us know families that have drama and arguments started from postings on Facebook. Perhaps some are legitimate but I am willing to bet that some are misunderstandings because we have not gotten the “read”. We do not really know the intent. Was it meant to be insulting, mean, derogative etc.? Or was it meant to be in jest or a joke?
We have to understand that writing is two-dimensional. True communication is at least 3 dimensional. So if you are writing, take extra care to say what you really mean. If you are joking, make it very clear you are doing so.
Today’s message celebrates communication between souls and asks us to be responsible and committed to making it the best it can be.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……
-Meditate/pray….spend time with alone with the real you.
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths. I can’t wait.
-Look….really look…..at the people you are addressing or whom are addressing you.
What made me smile yesterday……
-A fun and easy school day.
-Catching up with my Sis.
-We finally heard from our Alex. I guess it is hard to call when you have just put in a 17 hour work day. And she doesn’t even complain. No wonder I feel myself getting angry when I hear complaints about our military or about yet more cuts to their benefits.
-A night at the movies with our friend, Bob.
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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