Interpersonal Space

I saw the shadow of a large tree today on the road while I waited at a stop light, its branches dancing in the breeze. It hypnotized me for a moment, and I thought about a blog I read this morning about how to not take things personally. Right then, I understood that there is a natural space between us and other people. We can clutter that space with so many feelings, expectations and pressures like needing others’ approval or disappointment when they let us down. But if we disengage from that space, or clear that space by not taking anything personally, the good or the bad, then we are free. I felt this quiet sense of freedom come over me, a release. I don’t have to depend on anyone to feel good. I don’t have to take it personally if someone else appreciates me, or if they are rude to me. For a moment, I felt like I was a teenager again, living my own life and to hell with everyone else. “I’m the one who’s got to die when it’s time for me to die. I’ll live my life the way I want to. “ – Jimi Hendrix

I think this is an important part of my self-healing. I can’t rise to my full potential if I’m always worried over what others think. I let go of fear of what others think now or in the future. I release it forever. What others think is their business, not mine. I am free of hurt by others’ actions or words.

A shadow has no judgment about it. It is neutral. It simply echoes the shape of the tree in light and dark configurations. Without the space between the shapes, there would be no picture, and no beauty. Be willing to keep that space between you and others clear. Observe it from neutrality and curiosity. There is nothing there except what you put there. Allow space for beauty to come in without judgment or expectation.