From the book Heart Talk author Cleo Wade says this about the heart of welcome…
“We are here to connect, not compare. There is a reason we are not in this world alone. It is because we are all connected and need each other to function peacefully, purposefully and powerfully. We cannot know happiness or our true power if we are constantly in a state of comparison and competition. ..Connection rejects the idea of competing for any one thing and runs, instead, on gratitude and abundance, which weave us more deeply into each other’s lives so that we may better support one another in the world. Connection knows that everything we accomplish in life is much more fulfilling when we help others along the way.”
Her words make me wonder, can actions of welcome be the glue of building connection between people? What would be possible if we truly welcome one another - from the heart?
One of the most extreme experiences of heart welcome I've been in the receiving end happened in an unlikely place - an airport. You may be able to understand the experience of delays in travel. I was in route home east and due to malfunction of planes and an overwhelming number of travelers all heading in the same direction, I found myself wandering the airport terminal trying to find a seat on a flight, any flight, that could get me closer to home.
As I walked from gate to gate, I noticed another woman - doing the same thing as me; trying all the flights to expedite her travel home. Eventually, she and I sat down next to one another, at the gate we were first reserved for , finding out that we had not succeeded in getting on any other flights.
Like it or not, we were going to be waiting at least 4 hours for the next possible flight east.
We tried to make polite conversation. We tried to patiently flip through our magazines or books. But after a few minutes she looked at me hopefully and said, "Are you hungry?" I was,and agreed that the wait would be better on a full stomach. With delight, she hopped up from her plastic seat and said, "I've got a plan - come with me!"
She led me down the terminal with child-like joy and when we got to the "Club" doors, she said "Follow my lead!" She took out her pass and the staff let her in the door. They asked me for my pass and all I could say was, "I don't have one." and I started to turn back toward the uncomfortable row of plastic seats calling me back to reality.
This woman took my hand, winked at the staff at the door and said, "We are traveling together, she is with me." The person at the door was convinced and let me into the "Club". Inside were complimentary all you can eat food, snacks, drinks AND WIFI that actually worked! With the welcoming action of this woman, I was moved from a place of isolation - to a place of belonging. The welcome of her heart - instead of competition for a seat on the next flight home - became the path for her compassion to make a lasting impact on me.
Its been years since this welcoming experience took place, but I remember this woman's joy in sharing what she had with me. I think it is a true fact that welcome from the heart makes room for everyone to be a part of the club.
Welcome the the club humans.
There is room for everyone here.
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