Runner in the lovely Forest Park of Portland, Oregon
What does it mean to you when you see someone wearing a shirt that says 100% Human?
Better yet, what it does it mean to you to be Human?
This seems like a rhetorical question, but truth is, each of us probably has our own definition of what it means to be human and more importantly, what it feels like to be human.
For me, 100% human = 100% perfectly imperfect.
When my clients talk with me about their mistakes, shortcomings, poor choices, regrets, and worst of all their inner critic that hounds them relentlessly, I invite them to take a pause and stop the noise in their minds that tells them why they are all wrong.
Next, I invite them to take a deep breath with me and notice one thing they see in the room that catches their eye to draw in their 100% focus. Preferably an object in the room they enjoy looking at they may bring some sort of peace or calm.
Once they find that one thing, I encourage them to sit, stare, and maintain all of their focused attention on that one object. The looks on their faces tell me that 1. they don't understand what I'm leading them to do 2. they have a hard time keeping attention on that one thing and 3. they are struggling not to talk about the story or stories that are causing them to suffer.
As soon as I see a person relax into the exercise, I encourage them to notice what happens inside of them as they let go and allow for their focused attention and energy to be placed on one simple object.
I ask, 'what do you feel in this moment as you notice this one thing here in our space?' and 'what is happening inside of you as I invite you drop the story line and just be here in the moment with me?'
I watch this process go from chaos, to confusion, to calm, to compassion. Like a hard, cold block of ice melting and becoming warm water.
Usually my client will return their attention to me with a tender gaze that I translate as 'I was just able to notice what I feel and experienced my Self and my emotions (energy) in a new way which helped me shift perspective. Now I feel more compassion towards myself.'
Once I have allowed for this moment of unspoken truth to pass, I ensure that my client feels seen, heard and felt by me and ask, 'what did you experience during this exercise, tell me about it?'
Being present for another person and allowing them to talk, to feel, and give them space to remember that whatever their pain is, whatever the struggle, they are not alone and it too shall pass...is what being 100% human means to me.
This simple act is what feels like the most human offering I can give another human being.
After all, we are all one in the same. Each of us with a heart, spirit, body, and mind with an array of emotions. We are all just trying to make it in life as we learn how to love and accept one another and most importantly, love and accept our Self.
*this is dedicated to my oldest brother Ricardo, who I love and care for 100%