Weaving the Liminal: The Grace of Seeing and Being Seen

Hello loves,

This week I was reminded of what happens when we truly see each other, the world around us, and the moments asking for attention. Moments where the magic lives.

As I walked through my favorite alley, smelling the pungent grease, trash, and hints of cigarette smoke, a barn swallow circled around and above me. Then the smell of my favorite coffee shop drifted through the air and the bird was gone. I felt like they were walking through the alley with me.

My friend and I made lunch together and carried our food out beneath the tree outside my home. Lying on the blanket beside him, I looked up. The tree trunk narrowed as it reached toward the sky. Rough bark gave way to smooth branches that divided again and again. It was like I was looking at lungs. Dead limbs stretched alongside others full of green leaves, all of them swaying gently in the breeze, leaning in to be kissed by the sun. My belly was full. The warmth of the sun settled across my skin. A monarch butterfly drifted overhead. I felt held and free. Time slowed as the wind whispered through the leaves.

A day of meeting the eyes of strangers. A firefighter met my gaze and looked away. As he passed, he looked back to meet my gaze. A young girl on a bicycle waited for me to pass on the sidewalk. We looked at each other and I smiled as I said hello. Dimples slowly formed at the corners of her mouth as she smiled back. A hello left my lips as I smiled and waved at a bus driver. His face lit up as he waved and smiled back. Every time I saw them, they saw me.

When was the last time you smiled at a stranger and they smiled back? Please share in the comments, I’d love to know.

Tomorrow, smile first.

XO,
Naomi

P.S. The Sacred Unfolding, a free community grief circle, meets on Monday, July 6th at 6 PM Mountain, online. I’d love to see you there. You can register here.