Because of my recent weekday morning stint as guest blogger for Rebecca Plants, I’ve gotten into the habit of spending morning time outside…even if only for a few minutes.
This morning the slightly cool air in the early morning lured me out to our backyard deck with my coffee. The sleepy sunshine waking itself and the plants up as it brushed against the colors and textures of the morning. I meant to write, but was too seduced by nature’s wake-up process to do anything other than just watch.
Then I saw the steam rising from my coffee mug and it totally captured my attention. The light mist rising against the backdrop of the midnight blue inside of my mug*, visible only because of the cool air as it expressed a joyful dance of existence.
Reminds me of the beautiful Zulu greeting process: one person says Sawubona – which means “I see you“… and is acknowledged with the Zulu response for “I am here.” (For an amazing description of the broader meaning of all this, see this wonderful video clip: http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/orlandbishopclip2)
Think about that for a moment — in essence, it’s saying because you see me, I am here.
Or from the other perspective, you are here because someone else sees you… really sees you.
Think of the gift someone gives you when they look you in the eye and pay enough attention to truly see you. What if then we return that favor, share that gift?
What about, though, those days where we just feel invisible? How can we really see someone else if we can’t even find/see ourselves?? Perhaps it’s in seeing someone else, really seeing someone else, paying attention to them, to their feelings, to their soul… perhaps it’s in that that we can regain ourselves?
Today I see you. Today I thank you for allowing me to exist because you see me. Today, like the steam from my coffee cup, because of you..I am here.
Jan 2010 update: See this related post by Peg Mulqueen. She sees you too.
[*mug created by my wonderful nieceling, Kristy]
kat said,
September 14, 2009 at 8:24 am
beautiful. it reminds me of my wedding vow: to be a *witness* to my partner’s life. to provide presence for her. it seems very human to want a witness. on a superficial level, maybe this is explains the popularity of twitter and facebook, which help users feel as though everyone else is a witness to their daily lives.
anyway, *la, because i have read your post, you are there!
starlajane said,
September 14, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Kat, now THAT is beautiful… to be a witness to your partner’s life…wow… what a stunning (in a good way) vow! That is one fortunate partner. You know, I think you provide presence for many people in your life… I’ve definitely noticed that in talking/hanging out with you. What a gift to us!
Ah, I think you’ve hit on something important re: the popularity of social networking tools — something I continue to be fascinated by.
Clare said,
September 14, 2009 at 9:19 am
Wow! What a wonderful and inspiring expression! I love seeing you and being seen by you daily through these electronic mediums, and those moments of contact have suddenly become more weighted and valuable and enriching. Thanks again for helping me rethink the simple and small moments in my life, Starla!
starlajane said,
September 14, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Ah Clare, your reaction to this post just re-affirms for how wonderful it feels to really connect with someone. Thank you for showing up, for seeing me, for letting yourself be seen.
jo said,
September 14, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Sawubana, Starla! What an enlightenmentgift to expose and explore a greeting from a cultural lens different from my own. Thank you muchly. And then through the physixmagik of the InformationSuperHighway and its bloggery babies being born by the billions, Kat built on your wordlego mansion to share a thoughtlego times square (the place in NYC, not the mathematical multipliers…although…well…what a magnetic pull I’m getting from the possibility of this tangent…sorry, welcome to my brain). And who knew that the woman from Romper Room was Zulu! So, King me, Checkers! Oh, and while we’re exploring the globe, check this out…and all the paths it takes you upandown. I’ll be eager to hear what you thinkfeel. What do 6 billion others have to say?
Angel said,
December 1, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Starla.
Wow.
This made my eyes, and my mouth, water (don’t ask… it’s a weird reaction I have to things that feel real and true to me… I know… lol).
This made me want to reach out and hug you… and everyone else for that matter.
This moment was the perfect time for me to read it.
Thanks… so much… for sharing
<3
Starla J. King said,
December 2, 2011 at 1:22 am
Angel, I get it… the eye/mouth watering. truly.
And it was the perfect moment to get your response.
My hug is right here. XO!