Have you ever met someone that inspired you or sparked something within you? Do you remember what it was that drew you in? It wasn’t how they dressed or their position in life. It was the fact that they were truly themselves and you connected with them. When we see these people in our everyday life it’s a breath of fresh air almost like they are infusing us with a ray of hope that enables us to see we can step into who we are too.
I meet people like this almost everywhere I go. Last year I was traveling every week for work and had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people. There is one I remember fondly. She had that special something about her. We talked and shared our observations and musing about this life and how we believe others should be treated. She said something that really stuck with me and led me down a road of contemplation. She said we should treat each other like they are family, especially when they enter our home. For her, home is a sacred place and the people she invites in need to be treated with love and kindness.
For most of us home is where we can be ourselves, feel love, show kindness and understanding like it’s the only place reserved for such indulgences. Since I have traveled so much, I see the environment of home a little differently. Home for me is whatever environment I am in. Wherever I am, I am home. I cannot wait to go to a physical place to experience who I truly am in this world, that could be weeks and sometimes months. I have to be myself at all times. Wherever I go, my beliefs about how to treat others remains the same.
We can’t wait to be at “home” before we decide to treat people with love, kindness and a desire to understand them. We don’t always get to pick and choose who invites themselves into our life so I do not believe we get to pick and choose how we treat people based on our physical location in the moment. Be yourself everywhere you go. Treat people as if you invited them into your home. Maybe you’ll be that ray of hope someone needs so they can do the same.
The Place of Insight 