April 22, 2002
The
Perception Of The Soul
Each interaction with each individual is part of a continual learning dynamic. When you interact with another, an illusion is part of this dynamic. This illusion allows each soul to perceive what it needs to understand in order to heal. It creates, like a living picture show, the situations that are necessary to bring into wholeness the aspects of each soul that require healing.
From
The Seat Of The Soul, by Gary Zukav (1)
When a friend is going through a challenging time, it is a natural
thing for most of us to be concerned and helpful. You
hope that you can demonstrate your friendship by being there when someone needs you most.
A few weeks ago we learned that a close
friend had fallen victim to a merger that created layoffs in the Denver office.
Although he had received a fair severance and might even be able to spend a few
weeks in a “recharging the batteries” mode, I also know all too well how difficult it
is to change gears unexpectedly.
So after giving him a quick call to tease
him about the exercise program he should start, I decided to invite him to coffee the next
day so we could have some one-on-one time to talk about life and potential work.
We do not often spend time without our wives, so I thought it would also be a good
opportunity to get to know each other even better.
As we sat and visited in the local Barnes
& Nobel and drank coffee, we engaged in small talk.
I am not certain why “guys” have more trouble with this than women, but our
conversation seemed forced and even a little awkward at times.
Thinking that there must be a purpose to our meeting, I talked about his job search
and asked probing questions about likes and dislikes, corporate culture, and goals.
Nothing seemed to click as we politely exchanged words.
Then, as it often happens with me, we
talked a little about religion and spirituality. He
asked me a number of questions and I became more passionate about the answers as we
talked. We began to walk and talk while I
pointed out various books. He began to share
his views… when I let him get a word in.
When it was time to part, I began to
assess our time together. I felt that maybe I
had failed my friend because I did not have any job related revelations.
Then as I was still processing, he gave me a slight hug and thanked me for the time
we had spent and told me he really valued the friendship.
I found the opening passage and thought
how appropriate it was to this “interaction”. Our illusion (our differing views) allowed us each to give and receive
different gifts from the encounter. What I
first saw as a failure and assumed he thought was a waste of time, was meaningful not
because of content, but because of companionship. For
my part I was reminded again of the power of just connecting with another person… no
agenda needed.
With respect, acceptance, and love,
Richard
© Richard D. Olson and Awaken The Soul, 2002; Edited by Janice
E. Olson
(1) The Seat Of The Soul by Gary
Zukav; Copyright 1990; A Fireside Book, Published by Simon & Schuster