Walking Towards Requires Walking Away

Over the past few days, I have had a sense that it was time for another blog post but nothing was popping up. This morning, I saw a quote someone posted on LinkedIn from Washington Irving. It reads,

There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.

The quote struck a cord.

Yesterday, in a video conversation with someone I was meeting for the first time, I shared my story. I talked about my experience in Colorado a couple of years ago where I experienced coaching with horses for the first time.

As I shared my experience, tears began to form in my eyes.

They were unexpected.

Real.

Needed.

I was not concerned about showing weakness.

I was not concerned about his ‘judgement’ of me.

Because there was none.

It was a powerful exchange between two intelligent people.

Unplanned.

Genuine.

There are many layers to a conversation about tears. This is what I want to share today.

I believe we are living during a time where we are being challenged about what we are walking towards.

When we walk towards something, we are also walking away.

Both are important.

Both require courage.

Courage to feel.

Courage to act.

Courage to be.

Courage to let go.

Courage to trust.

And when we lean into courage, other emotions usually tag along.

Joy

Worry

Grief

Happiness

Frustration

Peace.

And with these emotions, tears often emerge.

This is healthy.

This is being human.

I am grateful to the human who unknowingly was quite horse-like yesterday as I shared my story.

Listening with curiosity.

Neutrality.

With no judgement.

Thank you for providing me with space to be human as I continue walking towards and walking away.