Tag Archives: Connection

2018 Week 44: I Like Your _____

Posted on by
1
download (1)

Week 44’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is “I Like Your ________.”

This is the season of giving.

give–a verb:

–to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to

Many times people will compliment something on your person as a way to connect or just express their liking of something you have on.
“I like your _( scarf, shoes, sweater, coat, tie, necklace, watch, purse, etc.).”

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment.

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

(Of course, be reasonable.  I’m not sure you want to give someone your dress or pants unless you have another handy to put on.)

Sometimes someone will express a liking of your hair, smile,or sense of humor. These would be hard to GIVE away, so have something ready to give instead.
Maybe…
  • a compliment…which means you need to be ready at any moment to give a true compliment back to people you are interacting with,
  • a hug,
  • a pack of gum,
  • a gift card?

Take note how hard this might be for you to give up something you possess.

Maybe giving compliments to another is harder than giving up your watch.

Maybe giving a hug is even harder than giving a gift card.

Have fun with this.

Practice awareness.

Practice giving.

Practice letting go.

Feel free to share in the comments what you gave away and how it felt.

Cheering You on to a Whole Giving Heart,

Barbara

76d758b4fba5646d6568ded6c48ae4e9_3ajp

 

CHECK IN for Week 24: Story Time

Posted on by
Reply

download

Checking in for Week 24’s task which was to SHARE A STORY with someone while you are out and about this week.

Have you done it yet?

I know this is not the easiest task for everyone.

Sharing a story takes VULNERABILITY.   

It produces CONNECTION.

For some of us, this is really hard.

In case you need a little motivation, take a look at the benefits of sharing stories:

From Psychology Today:

1) Realizing that sharing your story can help others–Stories can be very healing and many people benefit from getting the opportunity to pass on their wisdom to others.

2) Finding your voice–What does it mean to “find your voice”? It means learning how to express yourself and learning how to think about what has happened in your life in a way that makes sense…It helps to think about your life as a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end.  It helps to think about how the various events—even the bad ones—have been part of a journey toward the person you want to become.

3) Re-affirming your values–Sometimes you learn things about yourself from the act of writing or storytelling. It can be a way to clarify what is important.

4) Finding peace, finding hope–People who have found their voice, shared their story, and reaffirmed their values often find a sense of peace and a hopefulness that they did not have before.

“You truly don’t know who you are until you hear yourself tell the story of your life to someone else.”   –-Jin In

“Stories create community, enable us to see through the eyes of other people, and open us to the claims of others.” – Peter Forbes, photographer and author

“Stories are a communal currency of humanity.” –Tahir Shah, in Arabian Nights

“Words are how we think; stories are how we link.” –Christina Baldwin

“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.” – Dalai Lama

Life is more meaningful and purpose-filled with connections.

To be lighter and more loving means being more vulnerable, having more connections, sharing more of our self…through story!

Can’t seem to find the right time or person to share a story with, then feel free to share a story below!

Cheering You on to a Whole Story Connecting Heart,
Barbara

cropped-011114_2043_selfcompass1

2018 Week 24: Story Time

Posted on by
1

download

Week 24’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is to SHARE A STORY with someone while you are out and about this week.

I’ve never lived in a place like Colorado where the people will tell you whole stories at the drop of a hat.  Complete strangers at the coffee shop or at a store, who will share a story of their life with me.   Usually there is something that triggers it…

  • my dog or puppy,
  • something I’m purchasing,
  • something I’m wearing,
  • a question I asked…even as simple as how is your day.

Just this morning, a man shared with me how his brother put hot sauce on things he didn’t want his new puppy to chew.   It was spurred by my overly exuberant puppy and his story was quite amusing.   It made my morning puppy-pulling-walk very enjoyable.

What I like about this is that it builds connection.

I like it that people want to connect here, even if it is just for 5 minutes!

And like in Week 11: Do the Wave, it makes one feel seen and noticed.

A great spirit-lifter is connecting and noticing others.

I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes. 

 –Kim Smith

Yes, this task may take extra time AND may certainly take some out of their comfort zone.

Try it and see how you feel.

As you are out and about this week, SHARE A STORY with someone…

  • something you notice or you relate to,

  • something funny that happened to you recently,

  • something you’ve been curious about and maybe they know the answer,

  • think of a story to tell, tell someone you were asked to share a story, and then share! 

Cheering You on to a Whole Story Shared Heart,
Barbara

cropped-011114_2043_selfcompass1

CHECK IN Week 22: Chocolate Pudding

Posted on by
Reply

snack-pack-360x280

Checking in on Week 22‘s task of CHOCOLATE PUDDING!!!

Your task this week was to have lunch with a friend!

Just like it takes time to build and strengthen relationships with your significant other, spouse, children, and your self, it takes time and energy to build friendships.

If you have a true friend, then you understand the importance of them…even if it is just one true friend.

In the world of a thousand friends on Facebook, I’d rather have one or two true friends.  They are so good for our heart and soul.

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. —Hubert H. Humphrey

A friend is what the heart needs all the time. –Henry Van Dyke

If you have one true friend you have more than your share. – Thomas Fuller

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. – Proverbs 27:9

Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief. – Marcus Tullius Cicero

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. – Thomas Aquinas

Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship. – Epicurus

Friends are medicine for a wounded heart and vitamins for a hopeful soul. –Steve Maraboli

Build a friendship…share your CHOCOLATE PUDDING…schedule that lunch date…go for coffee…skype with your faraway bestie.

It’s good for a lighter more loving you.

Cheering You on to a Whole Friend Filled Heart,

Barbara

cropped-011114_2043_selfcompass1