Being noticed…

Being noticed.

That’s the flip-side of my thread on ‘hiding’ this week.

Being noticed.

Having the honesty to see ourselves and each other. And with more compassion and clarity than we’ve been used to, perhaps.

Even in a place of safety, we have a choice. To notice and to name. Because in naming we confer personhood. Identity and presence.

Like a conversation, it’s a two-way process.

Names are given and received. And have obligations. Not necessarily to do something. But to be someone.

Though that ‘someone’ might not be fully known. Yet.

And here’s the thing. You can’t name what is in hiding. Unless it – or they – are prepared to be called forth.

The shadow is not the substance.

It says we are prepared to be seen.

To be heard, whilst knowing we’re not finished. We’re not perfect. And we need the others.

Yet, for many of us, this is a big step.

Because it says: ‘I am worth being noticed. I have something to say, that nobody else can voice.’

Because only we can become the change we want to see. No one else can do it for us. But we can do it together.

So we have a choice.

Will we step out of hiding and find the others? Or will we stay in the shadows?

David Whyte offers an invitation that speaks directly to our vulnerability in his poem: Start Close In.

Here is the opening stanza:

Start close in
Start close in,
don’t take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.

If you have the opportunity to read the whole poem in Essentials – do. It will nourish your soul for the walk ahead.

Doesn’t have to be just survival.

We are all affected. And no bubble is big enough to shield us.

Instead, let’s use this opportunity to prepare the ground. To come out of hiding and find the others.

Accepting being noticed so we can become the change we want to see. Together

Thanks for reading,

Sue

There are probably no words to adequately sum up the kaleidoscope of emotions during this week. However, here are my daily attempts…