I read not long ago that to love is to be seen. This struck me deeply in it’s simple and complex truth.
Some years ago, I did my first open mic. It wasn’t a very public nor publicized event and yet I felt the enormity of jitters as if it were- a sense of raw vulnerability mixed with both the panic and the excitement at the possibility of being seen.
At the moment my name was called, I remember how laborious it felt to walk up to the stage with shaky legs, how sweaty and clammy my hands were as I held my woven fingers together. Once in front, looking out at the sea of faces, I froze. I was sure I was not going to be able to present and I nearly walked off stage. However, once the lights went on, there was a moment of shift for me–an aliveness I felt and a freedom I still can remember as I write this. Not only did I make it through the performance, I also felt deeply that I shared what wanted to be shared from a deeply present place. When I was done, I heard the applause and as the lights faded away, I came back into the room to such a supportive audience and a feeling of completion. I did it. I shared in the moment, with all of my heart.
In our initial Women + Wholeness meetings, Genevieve and I agreed that the interview would be foundational to the stories we hoped to be present for. We knew the sit-down format presented more of a formality and intimacy than capturing our interviewees while in motion or in their practice. But we also knew, from experience, that there is something so intimate about sitting in a chair, with lights on one’s face, attention completely on the one being interviewed.
The women we’ve been honored to interview so far have reflected this back to us. It’s often awkward at first, listening to one’s own voice, looking up at two attentive faces, but I think the heart speaks best when given time to find it’s voice, to feel itself heard.
This is our deep prayer and hope with each women we interview, as well as our aspiration in our own lives. How can we show up more fully? How can we best listen? How can we ask better questions?
It is such a practice and an on-going lesson to learn to be with oneself, fully, and to be present for another. May we continue to learn together.