We had a beautiful yoga class the other day. Everyone sat in a circle and picked a question to answer to the class. Tears were shed and people hugged almost strangers. People we’ve seen twice a week, greeting with the typical “how are you?”. Strangers became companions as we all searched for something real.
I was struck by two things:
1- how I had never had a class anything like this in 16 years of schooling
2- how willing we all were to open up
It was like we craved it. We craved that genuine connection. We craved that real conversation.
Tears were shed, but it wasn’t weird.
Things you would never say the first time meeting someone, yet here we were saying it to the entire class. Some of them we’d only just seen for the first time.
There was something beautiful in this. Coming together for connection, opening up together, each of us craving to be heard but also to listen.
The question I received seems fitting for this conversation- Looking forward to the coming year… what will you do to make this year even better than last year?
I thought for some time about my answer, thankfully I was near the end of the circle and had some time. I thought of the broad assortment of goals and aspirations I have for the year. I thought of baby Peter and how he’ll grow this year. But what I decided to say was that I wanted to be more genuine this year.
I want to seek out conversations just like the one we had in this class. To go beyond the “how are you” when I talk with someone at school, at church, with friends and with family. I went to be real. I don’t want people to think that I have this perfect family with a perfect situation and that every day is easy.
I want people to know that I love and that I care. That I love my baby Peter so much that it dims the weight of motherhood and financial difficulties. I love my Carter and am so grateful for his warmth and listening ears every day. I want people to know that my motherhood is real. That rinsing poopy diapers isn’t fun, but it’s worth it to me. That I still have sleepless nights and moments when I want to give up on no-cry sleep training. That I have my own questions and struggles for which I’m seeking answers.
One thing I’m excited to do is to hang out with fellow mothers! I’m planning my first girls night/women’s circle with fellow mamas and I’m so excited to unite in our conversation about struggles but also the beauty of life.
I want to get to know more people for who they really are. Their beautiful strengths and talents, but also see some of their tears. Be a Christlike support and a compassionate giver-of-hugs to these people.
I want people to know that mental health is important and that it’s okay to feel discouraged, sad, and depressed sometimes. That life has so many trials and they are SO STRONG for making it to where they are.
I just want to love and help others to feel that love.
I really don’t know where else I want to go with this! I think we all yearn for something like this. We all search for genuine connection and real conversations but it’s scary to be the first one.
My challenge is to reach out and be real today! Have a real conversation with someone.
We need more conversations like the one I saw in my yoga class. There was no judgment, no fear, only compassion.
Be the person who brings more of that to the room this year ♥
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