Enter my room, my face will light up...

Do you believe that an image is worth a thousand words? What about actions speak louder than words?

As I make a transition in my life; and face some of the decisions ahead of me, my views are constantly evolving. And my approach to life is ever-evolving as well. Everything that that happens “to” us happens for a reason. When I heard Toni Morrison speak the words, “When a kid walks into a room, does your face light up?” it made me pause for a moment, rewind the DVR, and listen again.

When someone enters the room, or leaves the room; what do I do? Do I stop what I’m doing and pay heed? Or do I barely acknowledge their entrance entranced in what I am doing? When someone bares their heart to me, do I listen to them – and acknowledge them actively? Or do I somewhat, half-heartedly listen all the while lining up what I will next say??

This I know… my actions toward the people who have entered my room have spoken volumes. Without a single spoken word, the kids have known how I felt about them, the friends have known whether I cared, the loved ones knew I was rooting for them or whether I was somewhere else in my mind. I want my face to light up when someone joins me in my room. I want the people in my life to know I care; not by what I say, but by what I do.

There was a period in my life when every evening my partner came home, or I (finally) made it home, we’d kiss and give a hug. Before rolling over and crashing out each night, I’d tell her I loved her; I am not sure how she felt about my “ritual”. But, I think it is so important to acknowledge my spouse when she comes home from a long day’s work and to come together before we sleep at night and share our love. Not to say those three words: I. love. you.; but to take pause, connect and acknowledge our relationship and our love; to act on the love we share.

From this point forward, I will be especially mindful when people, to include children, “enter the room”. And when they leave, and when they cry, and when they laugh; I will be present and connect with them. It's essential that I learn this lesson and embrace this oppotunity for growth. One of the most self-honoring things I have ever done was leave a career that did not lend itself to living, and I am grateful. For now I have time, space, and perspective to realize how important it is to relish in the small things in life, be present, to pause and take time, to be grateful and show my gratitude as people enter my room.