W.A.I.T. Why am I talking?

When I see suffering, I respond. As I read the news, I respond. As I listen to predictions on when and if the world will open up again, I respond. As I hear opinions about the danger of either the virus or the slowing of the economy, I respond. My whole body responds in a physical manifestation of my mental narrative. Which is usuallyf fear or anxiety. And then my mouth forms the words that project my gut response into the space around me and the people I’m with.   It’s my natural stance to protect. Protect my family, protect peace, protect the misunderstood. My response is happening before the other person has even finished their sentence. When I am always ready with a response- MY response, I’m not really listening. So I ask myself “how can I be involved in the other person’s suffering, rather than my own response to their suffering?” I am reminded of the acronym W.A.I.T. Why am I taking?  There is so much healing that can happen when I am silent. When I can listen and instead of respond, ask more questions. When I take time to explore. To do this means not giving into my fear of the other persons narrative. It means listening and responding to them rather than being wrapped up in my response to them. It means being willing to be wrong. Being willing to learn. This is who I want to be in the world. This is what I want to model to my boys. To witness and listen and be comfortable with my own  silence. I’m not very good at it yet, and it’s going to take a lot of practice, but I can’t think of a better time to try. #butterflybtc