I’ve created an exercise for you to play around a bit with this idea of Being With. In particular, we’re going to focus on the aspect of allowing rather than trying to orchestrate or control.
Below, I’ve given you some examples of situations and/or experiences—some that just happen, some that you’ll need to be intentional about. I’ve also provided questions and thoughts to help you keep the idea of Being With in mind as you engage in the activities. Lastly, I encourage you to journal about your experience and share it with a trusted friend.
Situations/experiences:
- Spend time with a friend
- Spend time outside
- Look at a piece of art
- Listen to music
- Watch something silly
- Spend five minutes by yourself in a quiet space
- Be with emotions as they come up
- Navigate a stressful situation or circumstance
- Go about your daily tasks
Questions and thoughts for the moment:
- Are you thinking of what you’re going to say or do next?
- Notice your breathing—is it shallow, deep, fast, slow?
- What’s happening in your body?
- What do you feel physically and emotionally when you tune in to the person or things around you?
- What do you experience through your five senses?
- Don’t focus on changing anything. Just notice what is.
Journaling questions to process the experiences:
- What was it like to simply Be With? Was it difficult? Easy? Comfortable? Uncomfortable?
- Did you notice anything that you haven’t noticed before?
- Were you aware of moments when you began to transition from allowing into controlling or vice versa?
- If you felt the need to orchestrate or control, why was that?
- What was it like to be in the moment?
- Was it hard not to think of what you were going to do or say next?
- Based on your experience, what would you say to someone about the importance of Being With?
These suggestions are a beginning. I'd love to hear what you're learning as you allow space for Being With.
Peace on the journey,
Beth