"Life Opens Up When You Do"

Open Heart—Open Hand

“I have learned that when we begin listening to each other, and when we talk about things that matter to us, the world begins to change. Human conversation is the most ancient and easy way to cultivate the conditions of change—personal change, community, and organizational change.”

                                                Margaret Wheatley

You know that toothpaste commercial that says, “life opens up when you do?” Well, I think it's true—not about toothpaste, but about life. We've been discussing in Spirituality Class just what it means to have an open heart, and this is part of it. Respectful human conversation is one of the most world changing events possible. Think, for example, of the role of ambassadors. They come together around a table, sometimes with allies and sometimes with avowed enemies, and discuss very difficult subjects. Sometimes they negotiate peace treaties, sometimes they find ways to work cooperatively, and sometimes they walk away with no agreement. But even when they have enormous differences, conversation is conducted politely and with due respect.

On a personal level, human conversation is the most intimate encounter between two or more people. Especially when you are speaking about things close to the bone. Even when you and I disagree, if we can speak to one another considerately, and hear one another with our hearts, our relationship forever changes. My friend, Harry, compares this kind of conversation to an open hand, rather than a closed fist.

I watched some of the Senate Panel's interview with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, last week. Clearly, it was not a conversation with heart. Instead, it was a good example of entering into conversation with an agenda, rather than an open mind and a genuine interest. If you want to see the 'closed fist' model in real time, watch C-Span for a little while. Of course, most of us don't need television to educate us about such interactions, we see them everyday in our workplaces and in our homes.

Today, as you're going about your tasks, remember to open rather than close your heart to people, even strangers. If you practice doing this, you will find the world a better place to be, and your life will, in fact, open up.

                                                       In the spirit,

                                                            Jane