6 March 2010
How We Shape Our World
Posted by Robin Easton under: Hobnobbin' with Robin .
A True Story
(Told in present tense, but happened many years ago.)
I’m standing in a checkout line at a large supermarket. There are three people ahead of me. The elder woman ringing up produce looks stricken with grief, at the brink of tears, and yet keeps scanning item after item. Everyone pretends not to notice as they busily dive into their wallets, trying to hide.
Suddenly the man in front of me drops a bag of bread from his cart and doesn’t notice. I pick it up and say, “Here’s your bread. It fell on the floor.” He doesn’t reply. Puzzled, I tap him on the shoulder and tell him again. He looks confused and his dark brown eyes fixate on my face. I shyly look away because he’s beautifully handsome. Suddenly he tugs on my arm, pulling me back to his face. He points to his ears and mouth and shakes his head, “No”.
He can’t speak or hear. As I tell him that I understand, he tugs my arm, smiles warmly and points to my mouth and then to his eyes. I must face him so he can read my lips. His smile is innocently open and disarming. My heart flip flops. He’s oblivious to his charm. In fact, I sense he’s suffered greatly in his life and it wouldn’t occur to him that he might be handsome.
He puts his bread on the counter, notices the checkout woman’s tears and looks back at me, his eyes filled with concern. He wants to comfort her, but can’t get her attention. She is busy fighting for self control. As the beautiful man bags his own groceries tears fill his eyes and cling to his lashes. He can’t speak or hear, but his eyes pierce the distance between us, and I hear his heart’s cry as if it were my own. I point to myself, and mouth the words, “I will.” He eagerly shakes his head up and down, “Yes”, and smiles, deeply grateful. In the moment of his smile, time seems to slow. The crying woman, the tender man and myself suddenly are drawn into a world of our own, like precious figures in a tiny snow globe. Magical beings who have never met are about to collide in a moment of divine grace. I’m now right in front of the crying woman.
A tall, angry, well dressed man, just behind me, suddenly shouts, “Look, I’m in a hurry. Can’t this line go any faster. I have things to do today.” The glamorous woman in front of him sighs dramatically, rolls her eyes, and says, “Yeah, and I have a lunch date. Do your crying on your own time.” People press in behind me angry and impatient. The deaf man has almost finished bagging his groceries. Love’s in front of me, anger’s behind. What do I do?
Moments like these are special because we can shape the outcome. I reach on top of the cash register, grab the “CLOSED” sign and firmly slap it on the counter. I turn to the people behind me and calmly say, “This line is now closed.” The angry man says, “You can’t do that. I’ve waited here ten minutes.” I say, “There are four checkouts just over there and two of them are empty. Run quick; you’ll be the first in line.”
Surprisingly they all race to be first at the other checkouts. The crying woman keeps scanning my groceries. The beautiful man slowly gathers his bags, lingers, watches me, his eyes huge with amazement, tears run down his cheeks, and his smile lights up the whole world. I pay for my groceries, and as the grieving woman passes me my change I grip her hand and invite her to look at me. I step behind the counter, wrap my arms around her shoulders and let her sob. “It’s all right. You’re not alone.”
I cry, she cries, and the beautiful man cries. The woman lifts shock-filled eyes to mine and says, “My grandson was killed yesterday and my husband is dying of cancer. I have to work; we need the money for hospital bills. I’m sorry I’m crying.” I take her hand and say, “You don’t ever have to apologize for crying.” The beautiful man leans down, tries to read our lips, tears drip from his face onto my hand. I reach out, put an arm around him, look straight into his eyes and say “Thank you. You are beautiful.” He starts to sob, fumbles for his bags and heads crying out of the store. The whole time he keeps turning back to give me the thumbs up sign, and all the while he pours sunshine from his luminous smile and brilliant heart. I never saw him again, but I will always love him. I went back a few times to visit the woman who lost her little grandchild and eventually her husband. And then I never saw her again, but I will always love her. We were all healed that day because we each chose to shape our world.
How do you shape your world?
Do you trust your impulses and act on them?
Do you make choices that allow you to express your humanity?
How naked in Eden do you dare be?
Love,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog:http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
49 Comments so far...
Julie Says:
6 March 2010 at 4:29 pm.
I am crying, for so very many reasons.
I can’t answer your questions, right now. Not the way I want to. But I will. I will LIVE my answers.
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John - Zen-Moments Says:
6 March 2010 at 5:21 pm.
Robin,
This is one of those extraordinary moments that life offers us to choose where we stand as humans. We can choose to be selfish and indifferent, or we can choose to care and take action to show that caring; to pass it on and share it with others who need it.
It seems to me that the man who could not speak or hear was a catalyst that spirit has arranged to call these choices out of all who were present. And with that comes consequences: good for some and not so good for others.
Reading this account pulled me right in the situation with you Robin. I know you’ll agree with me when I say that this man’s spirit will return in memory to you for the rest of your life.
It is a bit of grace if you will, and a bit of grace can go a long way 
Hugs,
John
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Nea | Self Improvement Saga Says:
6 March 2010 at 7:59 pm.
Robin, I’m trying to compose myself just to respond to this. You have such a warm, warm heart and I’d just love to fill the world full of Yous.
You did a beautiful thing by stepping up others wouldn’t do the same. One person with a heart as big as yours brings so much more joy to the world than what closed-minded, unconcerned people take from it.
Love to you my dear friend,
Nea
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sandy Says:
6 March 2010 at 8:20 pm.
Hi, I happened to come upon your blog from another one I was visiting. This story you relay is awesome and I would have never thought to do that, close the line for her. What a great thing you did.
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mike foster Says:
6 March 2010 at 9:24 pm.
Wow, an amazing, heartfelt recollection, Robin, but one I can totally picture you being in the middle of. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make the biggest differences…common courtesy and decency, a random act of kindness, or just those chance connections between one hopeful, helpless soul with another are magical moments that shape our beings and lives…for the better. I can only hope and dream that I am as naked as you are…
peace,
mike
livelife365
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Keeper Says:
6 March 2010 at 10:23 pm.
I get a lot of e-mails with stories like this; most are sweet and moving, but not true. I know you well Robin, and I am sure that this incredible story is quite true. It has been a blessing to have you as a friend.
Compassion has no place in the natural order of the world which operates on the basis of necessity. Compassion opposes this order and is therefore best thought of as being in some way supernatural.
John Berger
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Lowell Says:
6 March 2010 at 10:25 pm.
i completely agree, no one should ever have to apologize for their pain. WELL DONE!
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derick Says:
7 March 2010 at 3:16 am.
Hi,
A touching story that should resonate with all.
Every day there are the moments that we are able to touch someones life , if we are prepared to live our own truth and in turn be touched by others in the surrender of the illusion.
The essence of commonality and wholeness are to great to be ignored once the individual perspective sees what is and what matters in the greater scheme of things.
Thanks
d
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Jonie Says:
7 March 2010 at 3:41 am.
Such a beautiful tender story, I’m in tears. God bless you and thank you for bringing healing and love to people in pain. Hugs, Jonie
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marcel lemieux Says:
7 March 2010 at 4:48 am.
This beautiful touching story has keep me captivated to the very last line…Such sensitivity and compassion..the meeting of hearts..the way you took over the situation is a big bang in the reality of the moment..We certainly do shape our world by our actions in all types of life context..Your love is authentic and so is theirs…this is chicken noodle soup for the soul..bravo my friend…(a lesson of life)..peace..marcel
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Lita C. Malicdem Says:
7 March 2010 at 5:21 am.
I like this, “Love’s in front of me and anger’s behind”. With much respect, I salute you for choosing what you did- helping two people who are totally strangers to you seemingly in need of another’s loving concern and giving a beating to those insensitive humans. Your wisdom has gone a long way. Congratulations for being you.
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Lance Says:
7 March 2010 at 5:22 am.
Robin,
This is a beautiful story of love. And even beyond that, a story of really being in the moments of our life.
How often do I travel through my life, in “auto pilot” mode? How often do I not see what is really going on around me, stuck in my own little world? And yet, isn’t humanity about really caring for those in our world?
Robin, your story touches so much, for me – on this thing that we are all human, we all experience moments of beauty, and of sorrow. And there is so much peace in a connection with another soul in all of this – which I believe transcends our human existence and touches upon the spirit, the soul, in all of us.
I am touched, again today, dear Robin…by your grace.
Peace and love,
Lance
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Kelly Says:
7 March 2010 at 6:03 am.
Robin,
Not only are you a sweet soul, but also an incredible story teller. While reading this, I felt like I was right there with all of you. This story is beautiful. I have a couple of experiences where a stranger and I have connected for a brief moment, and I will always remember them too. Such events are truly beautiful moments in life.
Thank you for your continued inspiration Robin!
Kelly
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Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC Says:
7 March 2010 at 6:59 am.
I shape my life and my environment by modeling the way I desire the world to be. I try to smile often. I learned, from my husband, to read name tags and speak to cashiers and the like by using their name and politeness often. It’s amazing how many times they ask how I know their name! And they smile every time! (It helps to have an adorable 2 year old who tells everyone hello that she sees in the store!)
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Michelle Says:
7 March 2010 at 8:02 am.
Wow… I felt like I was there with you. I want to live in your world…. and the lovely man’s. I cannot understand why sensitivity is not considered a gift – present – and that every time we share it it gets bigger.
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David Says:
7 March 2010 at 9:18 am.
What a wonderfully written post. There is something about standing in line in a grocery store that is very intense most of the time. And you describe it well here using this example. Things don’t often rise to this level but it’s not like standing in line at the hardware store for example. Ever.
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Chris Edgar Says:
7 March 2010 at 9:48 am.
Hi Robin — thanks for this story. It’s funny, the people I ended up feeling most sympathy for were the people who were all impatient and huffy — I see the same people every day, driving around crazily with tensed-up faces, trying to get somewhere and praying everything will be better when they arrive, but of course it isn’t, and then they rush off somewhere else. I used to be like that myself and I feel sympathy for the person I used to be as well.
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Steven Aitchison Says:
7 March 2010 at 12:28 pm.
Robin, I was deeply deeply touched by your story, I am reading through tears. I visited Lance’s website the other day and the same thing happened. I have never cried so much in my life, but every time I come to your site your words just get to me, it’s a very strange thing to happen, but something that is uplifting and spiritual in nature.
Thank you for your words, your soul, your spirit, and for you.
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Lynda Lehmann Says:
7 March 2010 at 3:30 pm.
Robin, this is an extraordinary story because it makes so graphic the fact that we impact each other every day, whether we like it or not. Whether we intend to, or not. It’s so much better to reach inside ourselves and find compassion and empathy, for we will, each of us, have many days like that woman. Unspeakable sadness to bear. Uncertainty, deprivation, pain and fear.
And we each have a choice whether, on our GOOD days, to lighten someone else’s burden instead of pretending that we just don’t see. Clearly, our reward will be the enrichment of the experience itself.
Thank you for this wonderfully poignant and meaningful post. Sometimes there’s not much we can do to improve someone’s lot in life, but we can at least have compassion and give our hearts to their need.
Thank you for sharing your big heart, Robin. xxxx
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Wilma Ham Says:
7 March 2010 at 4:03 pm.
Oh Robin and oh other lovely people on this site.
I really do not know if I would have had the courage to do what you did Robin.
Some days I have and some days I dare not allow my heart to speak AND be love in action.
I am still fickle like that.
Oh Robin, this story however does compel me to go for my heart-centered self to show up more and more and work on that as hard as I can.
I still can be like Peter in that bible story, denying whom I know, denying my heart centered self when I am afraid to be confronted by so much outpouring of grief and of my own reaction to that. I would be so afraid to cry in public as I know my heart would hurt so much I would not know what to do with it. I would not know what to do with my love for these people and where to stop or where to begin and thus I do nothing.
I will forgive myself for those moments and via people like you I will learn it is okay to be naked, be love in action and show my feelings in any way I like and be hurt by their hurt and be okay about it all.
You beautiful loving soul, you gave us all a huge dose of your love and you gave me so much encouragement to be the love that I AM, xoxoxo Wilma
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Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Says:
7 March 2010 at 4:44 pm.
Hi Robin, I am searching for some response that can even come close to all the things I am feeling right now. There isn’t one. Some stories are so huge, and yet so basic at the same time that they just pull you in and swallow you up heart and soul. You didn’t just tell it, you shared it in a deeply personal way. We didn’t just read it, we lived it with you and it was a beautiful experience for all of us.
As I read the other comments it confirmed that this experience had been carefully grafted to the heart of each one. Somehow we have all touched hearts right here and I can feel it to my core. What an incredible gift you have given us all. Thank you so much.
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Lynda Lehmann Says:
7 March 2010 at 7:08 pm.
Robin, I just read your comments again, from yesterday, and I want YOU to know how precious they (and you) are to me. I really need to relate to your beautiful soul. And Robb’s.
It’s affirming and reassuring to be able to share a very special place, the way one experiences “reality,” and know that your perception and depth of feeling are not only recognized but shared by kindred spirits. What a great blessing. 
I read your comments to my husband, because they were so special. We were fortunate to be able to hike most of the day yesterday and then again today! I have some beach pebble shots I’m excited over. You know my excitement, as it is so much like your own.
Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend. Many blessings….
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ZuzannaM Says:
7 March 2010 at 9:37 pm.
Dear Robin,
I found your post exactly how the title says…:)
Have experienced many times similar situation and absolutely agree with your observation. If someone was with the camera at the time it would be a short movie from this picture, just life as it happens…Thank you so much for sharing!
As always, pleasure to read,
Greetings from Zuzanna
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Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper Says:
8 March 2010 at 2:55 am.
Hey Robin.
Loved this story.
I believe it’s possible for you and I to have a good day (whatever that means to us personally) and shape our world in a positive way simply because we are able to manage our internal environment better than the next person? Is a good or bad day dependant on our internal or external environment? Is it possible to have a great day despite what’s going on around us? Maybe it’s different for different people? Or maybe it’s different for the same people on different days – depending on where we are at (emotionally, mentally, physically) on that day? On some level we all understand that we have the ability to create chaos. And calm. Pain. And pleasure. Misery. And joy. Problems. And lessons. Despite what’s going on around us.
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Shirley Says:
8 March 2010 at 6:49 am.
This brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of my gram. I read this post a few days ago and had to sit on it because of my gram. The week after her funeral I went to work. I could have gone through the day perfectly fine as long as I was left alone. I didn’t want to be reminded of it. I wasn’t in denial or any such thing, I just wasn’t ready to talk to any one. One of my co-workers said “I’m sorry.” I knew then that I wouldn’t be able to get through the day. I sat on the bathroom floor at Burger King crying for the next fifteen minutes. When I came back from the restroom the same girl told me that I should have warned her that I was just going to run like that. I couldn’t warn her. I never had anyone close to me pass away before. I didn’t know I would react that way. When I came out of the bathroom, I had everyone screaming that I was too slow, customers complaining “How hard can it be to make a sandwich?” and I just felt miserable and no one understood that I wasn’t ok.
This is why I’ve been sitting on commenting, I just couldn’t. The cashier ringing the order through is everybody. No one knows it until they loose some one that means the world to them. The next day the bills still arrive and life goes on. It’s funny that it seems time should stand still for that moment when your world is falling apart but it doesn’t. You still get rude people who are concerned for self because they haven’t yet experienced heartbreak.
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RecycleCindy Says:
8 March 2010 at 8:09 am.
Wow what a beautiful and moving story. It speaks volumes of how we need to be sensitive and take a moment in our fast paced lives to care about others. Thanks for sharing this.
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Larry McDowell Says:
8 March 2010 at 10:08 am.
Wonderful story Robin. It warms my heart to know that someone wasn’t alone at a time of despair and was allowed to “feel” even though it wasn’t convenient for others. Thank you for sharing.
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Mike King Says:
8 March 2010 at 9:16 pm.
Its stories like these (and of course the moment itself) Robin that really do set the best examples for this simple yet deep kind of compassion that we should show one another as loving human beings. We are all God’s creatures and need to feel that level of love/connection as well as acceptance from others, whether its in the moment or in a long term situation. Great story and such an awesome example!
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Zeenat{Positive Provocations} Says:
9 March 2010 at 4:56 am.
Dearest and sweet soul sister Robin,
I am so deeply touched by this story…i can hardly think right now…I am so overwhelmed with emotion.
You are such a wonderful soul….I amso so lucky to have met you…cause i learn so much from you…
I, like julie, will LIVE and will GIVE my answer to the world I live in…and pray to the Almighty that everyone can indeed realize this and shape our world beautifully.
So much Love to you…
Z~
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Belinda Munoz Says:
10 March 2010 at 12:08 pm.
Dear Robin, I am still struggling to stop the tears minutes after reading this post. Your sensitivity is a wonderful gift and I thank you for sharing it with me as a reader. Oh how easy not to notice a sad face, a heavy heart, a hand that wants to reach out but pride won’t let it. Through this post, you show us that when we seek light, we have to remember that we always have the power to be that light.
Thank you for reminding us why we’re all here and that we are indeed here together. I’m a first time visitor clicking over from Patty’s blog.
Take care.
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Evita Says:
10 March 2010 at 4:12 pm.
Hello Robin
Wow what a story. I have to say the first, very first thing that comes to my mind, is my surprise that people would be so “lifeless” when another being clearly needed help.
What you did was so compassionate. What the man in front you did was so touching. And the three of you together showed what it means to be human. The love and compassion that you demonstrated is incredible. One thing I am not surprised by in all of this, is that it was YOU, that you acted the way you did. I wouldn’t have expected any different from someone as deeply connected to the ALL as you.
Blessings to you always dear Robin. May you continue to spread love and care wherever you go and may all of us continue to be inspired and live out our own compassion in this world.
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Robb Says:
10 March 2010 at 9:42 pm.
Kia ora Wild Sister,
This story is an exact example of why I look upon you as Genuine, and what I aspire to out here. I think in the Wild I can be as Genuine as any. Indeed in there I find the animal depths of my soul and SEE. You SEE out here as well my beautiful friend, and I am learning to do that but to be honest years ago I would have missed that moment. I watch my wonderful partner Tara becoming a SEE-ER as well. Her ever growing compassion, tolerance, and disdain of the mainstream lifts my soul. You stopped time in that moment Robin, you grabbed a moment that could have easily just slipped by, and all these lives would have carried the pain within. Instead you recognized it, and three lives, possibly more, are changed forever because of it. That is as Genuin as I can define. Rave on my Wild Sister. I dream of the mountains. Kia kaha.
Aroha,
Robb
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Patty - Why Not Start Now? Says:
10 March 2010 at 11:34 pm.
No, Robin, out in the world I don’t always trust my impulses and act on them. Safe in my office, with my clients, those are the times I trust my impulses. But out in the world I worry too much about making a wrong move or being too pushy. So your story and your abundant love and belief in what is possible right in front of you, well that’s the best education I could get for learning to be naked. Thank you so much for that, and hugs to you my friend.
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Liara Covert Says:
11 March 2010 at 5:38 am.
We are all interconnected in our own humanity. To choose not to be de-sensitized is to choose to feel, to be every emotion, every person, creature, thing projected into an apparent reality. You realize you are everyone and everything, everywhere, healing some level of karma, and moving through the ordinary mind to the enlightened being you know you already are. Unconditional love consciousness is slowly revealing itself through everyone. U sense it deep down.
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Tess The Bold Life Says:
11 March 2010 at 4:46 pm.
Robin,
I’m late to the party of love! Can anyone read this without tears. I see myself in the elderly clerk, the handsome man, you, and the impatient ones. I can even see myself running. (I hate to admit this)! I am one and the same with each of you!
I’d like to think I’m you most of the time. One of my biggest things to learn in life was not to take on the pain of others, I now have emotional boundaries. This makes my love and generosity more effective because I can be with others in pain and hold a space for them.
I cried and then I laughed at you putting up the sign. I was thinking this could be a scene in a movie. I hope were all learning and loving your blog today because you are going to be doing more important things someday.
When that day comes if you need to close all comments forever I can handle that…what I can’t handle is you not sharing your stories in the future because you’ll be busy with the life of a famous author. Oh and I’m not crazy writing this…I can just “see.”
I love you for your compassion and for sharing and healing the world.
Does anyone else want to go to the rain forest for a year. If so contact Tess! Oh but if we don’t go alone it won’t be the same…and we wouldn’t reach the level intended.
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Hilary Says:
12 March 2010 at 12:25 am.
Hi Robin .. you tell the story so evocatively – as the others imply you’ve ‘kicked us in the stomach’ & my heart hurts .. at the story, at our own lives, at what would we do .. at people’s reactions .. at the future for those two humans with hearts and love.
I’ll be back to read the comments properly .. but it’s so deep a post – exposes me to thoughts I’m not really capable of dealing with right now, except to say that I am more aware of others than I used to be … especially from being here amongst this blogosphere, where we can learn so much through others’ experiences.
Thanks Robin .. that’s an amazing story .. and I love the way you could put the ’shut up’ sign out – closed. Others have so much to deal with .. we are so lucky, we must remember that ..
Thanks – peace be with you and them and us for the weekend – Hilary
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CG Walters Says:
12 March 2010 at 3:54 am.
Thank you, Robin, for sharing this.
It is because of the beauty of your spirit that you were a part of that experience. Otherwise you could have been have the angry man’s experience.
Thank you for the love and light that you spread in the world,
CG
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Catrien Ross Says:
15 March 2010 at 7:33 am.
Robin, what a story, and what a call you have given to each of us to ask the questions of ourselves that put us squarely facing our own fears and potential embarrassments.
I found it fascinating that the man could not speak. Words (although I dearly love them), can be a barricade behind which we hide, the barrage that destroys our connections, the intellectual prison that alienates us from our own common senses and sensory experiences.
That such deep feeling and such resolution came about through wordless communication reminds us what we can become when we tap into that authentic heart within each of us that reaches out in compassion and love.
But your own integrity, Robin! The caring audacity of your action which cut through all the outer confusion to reach the inner core that knows exactly what needs to be done and does not hesitate to act.
Thank you for the courage of your genuine being, Robin. Thank you for witnessing, for shining as an example of what we can truly be. Thank you for bringing those people at the checkout to nudge us into examining our own inner lives and outer attitudes.
This is a wonderful, redeeming story, Robin. I feel it will go into the space in me that holds all the treasured connections and reconnections of my place and responsibility in the greater web of life.
May it glisten there with the love you shared. And may I continue to grow within its light.
Much love, and an enormous hug to you from the mountains of Japan – Catrien Ross.
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BK Says:
15 March 2010 at 8:04 pm.
Thank you for sharing this true story. It touched my heart and would surely inspire everyone to be a better person. The little actions that we do everyday will shape our world and make life a little better for another. It can also make life a little worse for others. It depends on the choice that we are making every moment. I agree with Julie about living it out.
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Stacey Says:
17 March 2010 at 9:14 am.
What a BEAUTIFULLY touching story! I don’t have much time online to catch up with everyone, but I knew that your blog would touch me deeply, and so here I am, and I was so right.
This is a wonderful story of how so many people in society have seperated themselves from each other, people don’t want to know what has happened to a person that has them at the brink of a break down, they just want to buy their groceries and make it to the next stop, hurry hurry. Why, what is so important that you could not have compassion and understanding for someone that is clearly in pain, even just an understanding look and patience. I love how you and this beautiful man both embraced this moment, sharing a different perspective on the world, being able to see the deeper truth to what needed to be explored and expressed in that moment. Sharing love with a woman that is in pain because of loosing treasured loved ones.
Robin, you always deeply touch me. Thank you for sharing the beauty and grace in each moment with all of us. It truely shows how people can shape their world, and chose to turn their backs on some of the most important moments. Thank you Robin!
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Mike Foster Says:
20 March 2010 at 8:56 pm.
Hope all is well, Robin..
peace,
mike
livelife365.com
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Chrissy Says:
22 March 2010 at 2:03 am.
Hi Robin, I have been across and read this post many times…
I can’t help but wonder at the power of a hug. I found myself fascinated by the characters in your amazing narrative. Sometimes I do think you end up touching people for a reason.
As for your people behind…
Sometimes, I wished there were less religion and more compassion, I was pleased you closed the line
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Comment nous façonnent notre monde Says:
23 March 2010 at 11:07 am.
[...] L'amour en face de moi, la colère derrière. Que dois-je faire? Des moments comme ceux-ci sont spéciaux parce que nous pouvons façonner l'avenir. URL article original: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/how-we-shape-our-world/ [...]
brainteaser Says:
30 March 2010 at 10:53 am.
Dear Robin,
First I’d like to say I missed you!
I’ve come back to your place because I needed to. Like a soul needing nourishment, I come whenever I can to feed on the spiritual nourishment your blog offers.
There’s something about your blog that thugs at my heart and gives me hope.. and awakens the love that resides deep within me.
Thank you for your story. Very heartwarming. I so love you, the crying woman, and the handsome man.
I also love that line about love being in front of you and hate being behind you. I know it’s coincidental in this story, but isn’t that how it should be — that we put our back on hate and face and embrace love? In this story, it’s like some greater force made it to be so. Amazing.
Take care Robin and thank you for this place — truly a place for the weary. Love you!
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Jenn Says:
5 April 2010 at 9:44 am.
Robin, I had such warmth fill my heart and spirit in reading this and I felt as though I was cheering you on the whole way and wanting to see a miracle also! All of this turned to goosebumps as it climaxed! What a beautiful thing you did! And I agree with what John said in that the man in front of you was catalyst of spirit! wow! I love this note you said: Love’s in front of me, anger’s behind. What do I do?
One thing I love about you even in this short time I have connected with you is your strong perceptions… very intuitive and soulful! You are a generous and warm spirit! The world is more bubbly because of your presence! like a rippling pure brook inviting others ‘to remember’.
what most stuck with me today (and I adore your closing questions so much because each one is so clear and bold and gets to the core. So thank you for this gift also!) was this question:
How naked in Eden do you dare be? I am at this point in my life now, and trying to find that right balance between transparency and keeping integrity with the ones I love also in blog sharing. So, I am learning to allow more intimacy and power in the moment but it is a new stretching feeling to share with divine family when I have just recently come to embrace this sort of intimacy in my life lately. But better new and then emerging then just trying to figure it out and get comfy! thanks for the nudge and reminder that I am right where I need to be.. and Yes, we are all shaping the world! And very much similar in our needs ..hugs to you for sharing this wonderful story! ~Jenn
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talina Says:
26 July 2010 at 7:27 pm.
… and now I am crying. Beautiful post! Just what I needed, what we all need from time to time.
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Robin Easton Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
DEAR FRIENDS:
I am deeply touched by your moving comments here. I especially love the variety of them and the many varied perspectives and insights. I decide to respond a bit differently this week…just for the fun of it. So I have responded by telling you all what I like about each comment.
**I liked how JULIE said: “I will LIVE my answer.” Yes, when we do this we not only change other people’s lives for the better, but our own lives for the better. Julie already lives this in an astounding way. It makes her very angelic, like the beautiful man in my story.
**I like how JOHN – ZEN MOMENTS said: “…the man who could not speak or hear was a catalyst that spirit has arranged to call these choices out of all who were present.” Yes, as if he were an angel that arrived to give all present an opportunity to grow, to be uplifted. And yes, I do agree, dear John; that man’s spirit will always be with me, giving me courage, perspective and helping me set my priorities straight in life.
**I like the point NEA – SELFIMPROVEMENT SAGA makes: “One person with a heart as big as yours brings so much more joy to the world than what closed-minded, unconcerned people take from it.” YES! One person with a big loving heart and some courage can change the world, and can even outweigh what is taken from the world. We must never underestimate how much one person (each of us) can do, how much one single act of kindness can change the course of history.
**Thank you Sandy. I am honored and touched.
**I like what MIKE FOSTER wrote and find it absolutely key to living a happy, healthy and full life: “Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make the biggest differences…common courtesy and decency, a random act of kindness, or just those chance connections between one hopeful, helpless soul with another are magical moments that shape our beings and lives…for the better.
**I thank you KEEPER for your belief in me all these months. I know at times I shock people with how bold I am, but I reached a point in my life where I had nothing left to lose. In that “Nothingness” I found great peace. I loved the quote. I think with time, if humans remain on earth, they may one day discover that they ARE compassion. It not only heals others but self. And it heals deeply, totally.
** I like LOWELL’S line: “…no one should ever have to apologize for their pain.” Thank you for seeing and knowing Lowell. It warms my heart.
**Thank you, ONESTONEDCROW. I take great pleasure also in your amazing posts.
** I really like DERICK’S depth of insight into both the individual and the collective: “The essence of commonality and wholeness are to great to be ignored once the individual perspective sees what is and what matters in the greater scheme of things.” —There is a beautiful thread that runs through us all like a great river. When we can tap into that we truly are set free. We no longer experience ourselves as separate, but we begin to merge and flow through (and with) all that is.
** I like JONIE’S line: “…thank you for bringing healing and love to people in pain.” I like this because it is VERY much Jonie’s way of life. I also like it because it reminds me yet again that we cannot heal another without healing ourselves.
** I like MARCEL LEMIEUX’S comment because he is sooooo astoundingly alive. Everything he says and does is laden with deeply lived wisdom and beauty. I like this line: “…the meeting of hearts…” Yes, it truly was a meeting of hearts. It truly rocked my whole world in an unforgettable way. I became part of both the beautiful man and the grieving woman…and THEY became part of me. A merging of souls.
**I like LITA C MALICDEM’S line: ““Love’s in front of me and anger’s behind”. With much respect, I salute you for choosing what you did…” Thank you Lita. I think we all have these pivotal moments throughout our days, where we are being invited to choose between love and anger, or love and hate, or love and judgment, or love and fear. And I think in the act of choosing love we are transformed instantly, magically.
**I like LANCE’S comment because it made me really think, especially this line: “How often do I not see what is really going on around me, stuck in my own little world?” I have found that it is not books, teachings or other such things that bring me to awareness; it is being FULLY present in the moment and responding from heart impulses in that moment. When I do this, Life offers more opportunities for growth, healing and love than we could ever imagine. We BECOME Life itself, infused with vitality.
** I liked when KELLY said: “I have a couple of experiences where a stranger and I have connected for a brief moment, and I will always remember them too. Such events are truly beautiful moments in life” YES! I think it is these moments that remind me (in my entire being) that I am connected to something bigger, something that we are all part of. I am reminded of the greatness of humanity.
**I like TARA S. DICKHERBER, M.Ed, CPC’S line: “I shape my life and my environment by modeling the way I desire the world to be.” YES! This is soooo beautiful and key to a happy and rewarding life. When we can be proactive in shaping our world we live truly powerful lives. We no longer take a backseat in Life, waiting for Life to happen to us. Wonderful!!
**I agree with MICHELLE when she asks: “I cannot understand why sensitivity is not considered a gift….” In my world I cherish and respond openly to sensitivity. I see it as one of the most amazing gifts another person can give me. It tells me that they are still alive, still willing to take risks, still seeking Life itself. That is a really beautiful and good thing.
**I like David’s line: “There is something about standing in line in a grocery store that is very intense most of the time.” This not only made me chuckle but I think it’s true. It also made me want to be more observant when I’m in the line. I usually chat with people and notice what they eat or bouught. It’s actually a fascinating time and place to observe human nature.
**I like CHRIS EDGAR’S point: “…the people I ended up feeling most sympathy for were the people who were all impatient and huffy.” Yes, they too are to be embraced and not judged. Such a beautiful point. We all respond differently in different situations. It is not about an us and them. Often those who are the angriest or most bitter need love the most
**I like STEVEN AITCHISON’S honesty about his tears: “I am reading through tears… the other day and the same thing happened. I have never cried so much in my life…” I love this because it not only shows a willingness to be open and sensitive, which I just adore, but it confirms what I have sensed in you, Steven, all along. Steven has a heart a mile wide and pure gold.
**I like LYNDA LEHMANN’S comment because it again reminds us that we all hurt at some time, we all suffer and we are all connected…AND that we CAN help each other move more gently, kindly, compassionately through Life. She wrote: “It’s so much better to reach inside ourselves and find compassion and empathy, for we will, each of us, have many days like that woman. Unspeakable sadness to bear. Uncertainty, deprivation, pain and fear.” —Yes! This is so true, and to feel that we are at least connected to others during these times can make all the difference in the world. Sometimes it saves lives. It’s THAT important. Beautiful!!
**I treasure WILMA HAM’S honesty and find it priceless: “I would be so afraid to cry in public as I know my heart would hurt so much I would not know what to do with it. I would not know what to do with my love for these people and where to stop or where to begin and thus I do nothing.” —I think Wilma expresses how so many people feel and what stops many from trusting the innate and true “wisdom of heart”. —Maybe this is a topic for another post. What would happen if we let go and cried and loved and reached out shamelessly, unbounded by fear of rejection, criticism, of what we might find within ourselves, or worry that we might never stop crying for others, for self, for all of humanity. —It is in our tears that we often heal pain generations back and generations to come. Heart and Soul are boundless and if allowed will carry us deep into our own human nature. It is when we understand our OWN humanity that we clearly see, understand and embrace all humanity. —NOTE: I must add here that although Wilma openly shares her fear, she is one of the most fearless people I know. On her blog WILMA’S BLOG ON WOMEN LIKE ME she readily shares herself and her life and not JUST the seemingly neat and tidy sides of Life, but all the other aspects we humans share.
**I like JONATHAN – ADVANCED LIFE SKILLS comment because it carried his emotional response to the experience I shared. Very beautiful. He said: “Somehow we have all touched hearts right here and I can feel it to my core.” —That is so lovely and wise because it is exactly what I experienced the day this happened. Even writing about it for the first time brought back ALL the feelings of connection I experienced that day in the store. —This experience is a marker for me, a sign post that points the way to always live my life from my heart…no matter the outcome. We each can only be true to our hearts; what others do with it is up to them. Even if someone does nothing with it right now, years down the road they may remember a single act of kindness and draw on it for change.
**I like the creativity of ZUZANNA M’S comment. It comes from someone who has lived these types of experiences: “Have experienced many times similar situation and absolutely agree with your observation. If someone was with the camera at the time it would be a short movie from this picture, just life as is.” —Yes, it doesn’t not surprise me at all that you live these experiences, Zuzanna. And I LOVE the idea of little movies of Life’s Loving Experiences. We would all weep with joy. There are too few movies with powerful messages of love. Maybe that is something I can do at some point. Just remembering my day in the supermarket was so amazing as it’s permanently etched in my mine…like a beautiful little movie.
**I like the questions MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER – CRAIG HARPER raises. I especially like his last statement: “On some level we all understand that we have the ability to create chaos. And calm. Pain. And pleasure. Misery. And joy. Problems. And lessons. Despite what’s going on around us.” —Yes, and I think all we can each do is take each moment and and shape it as best we can. I choose to do a lot of “shaping” no matter how I feel. Some days it’s easier than others, but even on my worst days I find that shaping my world with Love and Compassion makes ME feel a whole lot better. I often forget my own challenges in the midst of reaching out to others. —In fact on the very day of that this story took place I was going through some extremely painful life changes. And yes, in listening to my heart and acting on it’s calling I was left feeling connected to my fellow humans, connected to love, compassion and joy. I KNEW without doubt that I was alive and loved.
**I just love SHIRLEY’S story. It moved me to tears and left me feeling humbled. Shirley is very wise and has a “life wisdom” far beyond her years. She is a dynamic advocate for the underdog and has a heart filled with compassion. This line just stunned me in it’s profundity:”The cashier ringing the order through is everybody.” —YES! That is one of the powerful lessons in this story. It is the single driving force that moves me to reach out. I see “other” as myself and am moved to love them. In doing so I love myself as well. IF you didn’t read SHIRLEY’S story here go back and read it.
**This line in RECYCLE CINDY’S comment really made me think: “It speaks volumes of how we need to be sensitive and take a moment in our fast paced lives to care about others.” —YES Cindy! When we can do this we begin to realize that what we THOUGHT was our “lives” may not be so. Maybe LIFE is found most fully in being sensitive and responding to each moment, from our hearts. Maybe there is MORE Life to be had in this manner that any other way we’ve previously known. Maaaybe, Life is found in living moment to moment.
I thank you ALL for your beautiful sharings.
I am so deeply grateful for your wisdom and kind hearts.
Love,
Robin
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