Open you ears and your heart before you open your mouth

'Kind words are short and easy, but their echoes are truly endless.'

Mother Teresa

Words are so powerful.

Our influence on others is bigger than we think.

We are raised to our parents' and more broadly, to society's standards. They have their idea of what a good education, life, success look like.
They don't want to do the same mistakes than their parents. Or sometimes follow their steps and repeat the same patterns. There are many combinations here. And everyone is trying their best.

But, regardless of the situation, we are raised with their concept, vision, projections and fears.

Their advice usually comes from the right place.  But is it really what we need to hear at that moment?

'Don't worry, he/she wasn't nice anyway'
'Plenty more fish in the sea!'
'Why are you crying for?'
'You should/shouldn't wear that.'
'You should/shouldn't eat that.'
'You need to study more.'
'I was never good at... So it runs in the genes.'

There will always be people in our life who we will turn to and ask for advice. Parents, close friends, teachers and at times, people we barely know (Perhaps because we think deep down that they have a 'more objective' view on your current issue situation).

But the thing is, people are rarely truly objective. And even if their intention is to help, they will give you advice from their perspective, their experience.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you... I did it and...'

And sometimes it is what we need to hear.

But what if, those other instances, what we truly need is to be listened to? To be heard? Understood? Without any judgement?

It is ok to say to the person listening to you 'All I want to do is vent. No advice, no reaction. Just let me express myself.'

Because sometimes all we need is to do is to say our thoughts out loud. Because, most of the time, we know the answer.

So you want to start something new? You feel sad for something that happened? You feel ecstatic because you managed to bake your first biscuit? Because you tidied that drawer once and for all?

Let your emotions rise, acknowledge them and don't let other people tell you how you should or shouldn't feel.

We are all different and react in different ways.

So this week, remember...

• Listen more than you speak
• Think of the people around you who you can turn to share feelings without being judged.
• And reflect on your own way to interact with others.
• Do you let them speak or do you jump straight away in the conversation and make things about yourself?
• Do you judge others when they tell you how they feel?
• Does what they say to you mirrors something that happened to you and you feel the urge to tell them because you think it will help them?

Open your ears and your heart.

Namaste

This week, follow me in a Counting & Breathe Sequence

And in Opening your Shoulders Sequence