I’ve had a couple of experiences recently that have caused me to think about what I offer to my friends and companions. What is the offering that I bring to any relationship? As I sit near someone on the bus, or next to someone in class, or by the pool in my garden, what is it that I am offering? What do I see myself giving?
Above all, I can show them a reflection of the beautiful person they are. They can know themselves as an amazing human being because I can tell them that in many subtle ways.
The interaction is primarily about them and not about me. I tell them what I see, what they embody. When this is affirmed by me, they can recognize the wonder in themselves. They can accept and embrace the awesome beauty of who they are.
I especially am able to reassure them of their awesome beauty in times of doubt and uncertainty. I know that I rely on my friends and companions for this affirmation. I also know that I have the growing ability to look inside and directly experience the awesomeness in me. It is so nice for me to receive this gift from others. I now also give it to others, just as I can give it to myself in moments of quiet and stillness.
I offer a loving place of refuge and comfort to my companions. I listen to them, I hug them, I invite them to share their deep aspects. I embrace all manner of their joys, grief and fears as I accept them with my own focused awareness. I offer a place and opportunity to be their full, unprotected self. I offer freedom. They are released to be full, free and independent human beings.
I give them my own ardent presence and awareness with few expectations. I don’t make any promises or demands for the future, but I do offer my own full and fearless presence right now. I not only am attentive to them, but I can also be very aware of myself and my on-going experience with them right now. Because of that, I can be present, sit and stand with them.
I can be a fully adult me with them. As I have learned to unfold more and more, become more in love with myself, I have much more to offer. I can present a person who is aware of himself and of the world around him.
I am learning how to know myself and how to allow that knowledge to grow fearlessly. I can invite others into that place of awareness. They only have to decide to relax and experience it. This is an offering I make to all my companions.