Spiritual Business

Fridays musings

I meet the oddest people at the dog park. Last nights' chance encounter with a Scottish Terrier and his owner resulted in me finding out- he was barrister whose wife was a concert pianist. He now no longer worked and instead collected Michael Jackson memorbilia amongst other things and once ran a running race against Mick Jagger at his sons school sports day. Mick is very fit, apparently. It was entertaining, Scorpio Daughter called him "Fabulous!" when we wandered off.

People tell me things. Gandalf thinks is funny and odd. Once on a plane a very drunk man proceeded to tell me his life story rom Fiji to Melbourne, his woes, his arranged marriage his wife leaving him because he asked her to put the kettle on (she was from a higher caste than him), his plans for suicide and the best way to make a chicken curry. When we landed and he had sobered up considerably, he grasped my face as we left the plane and told me I had saved his life by talking to him, helping him see perspective and hope in his future.

Then at a wedding a stranger told me of her tragic babies that kept being born with genetic issues and dying within 2 weeks. It was the worst story I had ever heard. She kept repeating that she didn't know why she was telling me but she needed to talk. I told her to not lose hope and imagine the healthy baby in her arms. Then I found out from the bride that she finally has a little baby now, named after the happiest flower in the world. She told the bride that she met some woman who told her to hope and imagine.

I am not saying I am some sage, shaman but I take the time to listen, to talk, to empathise and to care. It is something I bring into my personal and professional life. It must be written all over my face. Talk to me, tell me and I will be there.

It's a burden and pleasure. I feel the pain and I feel the hurt. Maybe it's all the water signs inside me that helps me feel.

I have been interviewing for staff recently. The Organised Aries and I had to sit through a heartbreaking interview with a bushfire survivor who lost everything including her business, marriage and home, post- Black Saturday. I realised she was too fragile to enter any place besides a therapists office. We were kind, gentle, we just talked. It was sad.

That is when it is not always a gift to have people open up, it is a responsibility. To treat people with respect and empathy. We all have a story and sometimes we share it. If someone chooses to share their story with you then don't judge, just listen and be kind. Chances are, one day, you may need to share also.

Later.

1 Response to ‘Fridays musings’

1. hmog says:

September 16, 2009 at 1:34pm

Me too, I find this happens to me all the time! But I so love it.

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