Is it the moments shared that are so
important, or rather is it the person who
takes the time to share of himself? We all
are in such a hurry moving from one role to
another that we rarely slow down to dis-
cover who we really are let alone allow
someone else to discover who we are. Even
if we did stop, aren’t we afraid that the other
person will not like us if he discovers who
we really are. At the same time we wish that
others would slow down long enough so that
we could discover who they really are. We
are not looking to find something negative.
Instead, there seems to be a positive element
which we want to get closer to and to know.

       What happens is so special – a moment treasured.  Perhaps it is not only because the other person slows down, but also because we finally stop long enough to lisen – to comprehend – and finally understand.  In our slowing down we communicate to the other that it is all right for him to slow down.   We will listen.   We want to hear.   Then it comes out.   He takes time to share of himslef:  what he is like on the inside.   It is not so strange after all.  Maybe it is a part of what is alreadyh inside of us.   Perhaps we did not know it was there or want to aknowledge its presence.  In us it seemed so uncomforftable, but in the other is it not so bad.  Could it be that it is not so bad in us either.   It if came out more often, and we bacame acustomed to it, it might even be good

     It might be that what is shared is not words, but actions.  Someone takes the time to smile.   He does not routinely say, “Have a good day.”  Instead, he makes it personal, “I hope you have a good day.”

     A person walking a dog – be it large or samll – allows you to take time to pet the dog and talk a bit.  Why is it easier to alk to strange animal than to talk to people?  Easy – we do not care what an animal thinks.   We are not looking for approval.  Wouldn’t it grand if we could act without trying to get approval – take away all those walls of what we want  people to think we are – and be ourselves.  Someone who shares with us has already removed the barriers and permits us to see him as he truly is:  and, if he is good at it, he helps us to take away our pretentious trimming and reall;y be who we are.   Now – that is  a mmoment of sharing and exchanging!