November 14, 2015
“Mom, I’m having a hard time”.
My son was 4, buck naked, lying on the floor having a temper tantrum because he didn’t want to take a bath. I had whined and demanded and yelled and looked at him with a cold face and hard eyes.
It wasn’t until I asked my face and my eyes to melt into warmth, and let my body relax and my heart soften, that he looked up at me, saw something new in my eyes, and was able to put his arms out to me and trustingly ask for my help.
25 years later I can still feel how it felt in my body to move from hard to soft. From closed to open. From defended to vulnerable and overwhelmed with love.
In a way we were both buck naked.
Much love,
Thank you for your vulnerability, Robyn! You inspire me!
Thank you Cricket! For me it seems to be the hardest, easiest path :).
Robyn, powerful! Reminds me of an ancient proverb, “A Soft answer turns away wrath. And. “Love casts out fear.” You “exampled” this to your son.
Thanks Dick. Yes, the idea of love turning away fear makes everything soften almost without effort.
Loved reading this story with all its wisdom and common sense (not always so common!) — thank you for sharing it! 🙂 Kudos!!!! Vicki
It’s amazing to me that it’s still fresh in my mind 25 years later.
What a wonderful seedling.One of my favorites.
Thanks Jenny – it’s one of my all-time favorite memories.