This came in an e-mail from Anasazi advertising an Arbinger seminar and I liked it:
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds, "What does love mean?"
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. Billy answered in this way:
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"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
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It is amazing that at 4 years old Billy's hearing is so fine-tuned that he senses this profound difference. Think back a moment to your youth while in the presence of someone who treasured you. What is it like hearing your name safe in their mouth? Can you still feel the joy, sweetness or possibly the warmth in your heart?
What would it be like for each person in our day to day life to feel that safety with us? The more we come to honor and respect each person, the more joy will be present in our lives.
I still remember meeting someone a few years ago and they kept calling me the wrong name and they finally said, Ann, Ansley, whatever. I knew right then that I would never like this person.
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you for always being an example of the opposite of this, someone who demonstrates integrity and love with everything you say and how you listen.