The act of showing up

While I was away, I searched for, found, listen to, shared with and internalized new wisdom from those who are walking a similar or parallel path as me. Most importantly, was the affirmation that this walk is a process and not an event. Today I want to share some words of wisdom from Mollie Ah Singh based on her historical field trip in South Africa.

“I like watching people “people watch.” I guess you could call me a people watcher of people watchers. People are reuniting with full force hugs, an elderly couple holding hands, the hysterical laughter of two friends; these are moments that people love to witness. I have come to realize that I am specifically prone to watching people take in those around them. I am mesmerized by the small smiles running across faces, scowls targeted at PDA couples, amused smirks directed at a dad wiping his kid’s popsicle stained face—the bystanders ‘interplay.

We react to each other. It’s what we humans do.

We ignite and inspire others by simply showing up and doing life together.

It takes a willingness to be a part of others’ lives to have inspirational moments that cause people to stop and take notice. Showing up for people is a deeply divine act, something I believe to be the ultimate gift we were made to share with others.

Showing up sounds simple, but as with most things in life, there are stumbling blocks. Let me name a few of the usual devils: loneliness, rejection, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, distrust, apathy, selfishness, stubbornness, disbelief, cynicism, anxiety, fear, laziness, and pride. Trust me; I name these things out of personal experience.

One of the bigger fiascos of my life occurred during a pilgrimage through South Africa with my dear friend, Rylie, and a cohort of students and professors. We were there with the intention to engage a history of justice and reconciliation. Through a series of unfortunate events and misunderstandings my best friend and I had an ugly best-friend falling out—pissy moods, ugly cries, and childish ignoring all included. Reconciliation became the very thing we needed. The hopeful part of this story is that despite a most untimely, painful, and chaotic BFF break-up, somehow we still chose to show up for each other.

People, God showed/shows up. God showed up when the Israelites cried out, and screwed up, and cried out, and screwed up, and cried out, and screwed up, etc. They worshiped a golden calf and God still stuck it out. God showed up in the form of his son, Jesus when grace beyond human possibility was necessitated. God showed up at the tax collector’s house, the homes of the sick, and the blasphemous temples. God showed up for women, men, and children alike. AND HE STILL DOES.

Showing up and sharing your presence is a simple yet intricate gift that we all have to give. So be bold; show up.”[1]

 

[1] http://www.fruitfulblog.org/the-act-of-showing-up-for-each-other/

 

    Until next time, remember,

• You are not alone.

• You are not your circumstances.

• You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.