EDIT: Love Like Nobody's Looking
The Virus demands we leave inhibitions behind
Remember the phrase, “Dance Like Nobody’s Looking?” I remember how quaint and sweet that was when I first read it.
It implies that we need to be a little freer with our self expression. Not to worry if anyone is critical or disapproving of us. We just get out there and let it rip. We do that which makes us feel alive.
Let’s take this a step further: Love like nobody’s looking. Let me give you an example of what The Coach For Your Hear did today (gotta walk this walk if I’m going to talk this talk.)
I had to go into the bank.
DISCLAIMER: Kept my social distance. Have no symptoms. You’re welcome.
I saw eight people: One security guard, three tellers, two loan officers, the Assistant Branch manager, and the Branch Manager.
Eight neutral faces.
Slits for mouths, shallow eyes, hunched shoulders. The color beige was too bright for this room. One has to think that the interpersonal atmosphere they’ve experienced in the last several days has gone from routine to stressful to panic to aggressive. In a crisis, people get afraid about money, or the lack thereof, and begin to let Fear dominates their thoughts, words, and engagements.
These folks are the windbreakers of financial insecurity, and they are facing an emotional hurricane.
So your Coach walked in.
“I have drunken deep of joy, And I will taste no other wine tonight.”-― Percy Bysshe Shelley
Follow me…
“I AM SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE!” I bellowed. “THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US!!!”
They expressions went from beige to a pale yellow. Brighter, but cautious. Not sure whether to whether to go through the intersection of life with me or to put on the brakes and call security.
I kept going. They went along.
I told every one of them how happy I was to see them, how much I appreciated their being there, how “grateful, grateful, grateful” I was to be among such kind, brave, resilient souls, and that I am humbled to be part of such strength and resiliency.
They smiled. From colorless to caution to glow. They smiled.
They said, “Thank you” and nodded their head. One woman put both of her hands above her head and went, “Whoo-hoo!!!”
The Big Boss came out of her office. The Assistant Boss stood up. I made my transaction with a guy named Aaron who smiled all the way through our encounter, and I fist bumped with the Security Guard as I left.
Love like nobody is watching.
Particularly now. Bring out the glow, the happiest, the most overwhelmingly joyous self you have.
You can do this. You just have to focus on them, bringing the joy from the bottom of your feet, and let it out in your face, your voice, and your body.
Start this the next time you’re in the bank, the store, or the gas station. You’ve got this.