Thrive and Awaken® Tip

You are just a witness of the vast mystery of life. We often have difficulty being the witness as life unfolds. Instead, we interpret everything based on our limited perceptions, history, and personality style. We get immersed in others’ stories rather than remain a compassionate witness.

Imagine you have a friend who did not return your text earlier in the day. You call to check in, and he answers in an abrupt and frustrated tone, “What do you want?” Most people would feel offended or put off. After all, you were simply being kind and did not expect to be treated that way.

This is the moment we leave the seat of the witness and judge someone else’s story. We assume their tone is about us. Later we learn that this friend was fired that day and was carrying anger and shock. With that understanding, it becomes easier to return to being a compassionate witness rather than a reactive participant.

Take some time to notice the subtle ways you leave the position of witness to this extraordinary universe unfolding before you. Notice how quickly the mind personalizes what is happening. It is natural, yet when everything becomes about us, we lose perspective. We lose awe. We lose the quiet wonder of life emerging moment by moment.