Thursday, July 11, 2019

The New Normal

I kicked around several titles for this post:
Becoming the New Normal
Starting To Be A Common Theme
Thank You Eric

But the one I chose fits the best.

I’ve talked at length both verbally and on here about the distorted beliefs I sometimes buy into about myself:
I don’t belong
People don’t want to talk to me
I’m not acceptable
I need to perform for love and acceptance

....and then a night like tonight happens yet again.  A night that simply contains connection. Connection between human beings, in this case, that didn’t know each other prior to tonight and that hail from different countries all while hanging out in Tokyo, Japan.

I arrived at the hostel around 5 and decided to lay down for a while.  I needed it to be honest.  I was tired (and guess what?  I still am). But the longer I laid in the bed, the more in my head I got:
I should know exactly what I’m doing on this trip and I don’t
People are going to think I’m too old to be in a hostel
No one will talk with me

....and then I stepped out of my bed cubby and there was Eric.  Eric is from Paris and he responded with an immediate “yeah” when I said, “I’m going to dinner.   What to join?”

As my good friend Ray says, “I just showed up.”

And what ensued was a wonderful night of dinner and drinks and meeting more people in the hostel.  I titled this The New Normal because I’m seeing now that nights like this will happen when I show up.  And I’m showing up more and more.

Now I’m off to bed.  And hopefully I can sleep.

4 comments:

  1. I love this!! Happens all the time, doesn't it? Looking forward to your posts. Have a wonderful trip--I know yo9u will!! Nancy G.

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  2. Showing up and being open, curious, and kind creates a safe world for fun and adventure. Nancy Giunta taught me this lesson many years ago! Keep on keeping on!

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