The Unspoken Cry: Understanding the Urgent Need to Be Heard
In the middle of the night, I felt a strong calling or intuition to be in Seattle. Without much thought, I booked a flight a week prior, and now I find myself on my fourth day here. Upon arriving, I attended an energy movement class at a center called Body & Brain, as I didn’t want to miss too many classes while away from my local center in California. After the class, a member asked me about the purpose of my trip. I responded, “I actually don’t know. It was a calling. Maybe I’ll find out during the trip.”
Throughout my journey, I have been observing people’s behaviors and conversations, and a few instances stood out to me:
1. At a restaurant called Deru in Kirkland, WA, I was seated next to two women who mostly discussed their day-to-day routines and what they did for their children. The conversation was mostly mutual, although one person seemed to dominate it more.
2. At the same restaurant, there was a party of six at a table across from me. One person dominated the conversation, talking excessively and leaving little room for others to speak. I distinctly remember her voice even two days later.
3. At a restaurant called Soi in Bellevue, WA, I was seated next to two women. One person dominated the conversation throughout, while the other woman barely got a word in. The dominant speaker seemed unaware of why her daughter had blocked her from social media. I estimate that these women were in their 50s. The dominant speaker appeared to indirectly complain throughout the conversation, which revolved around their children.
A few thoughts crossed my mind:
1. Many of us simply need an outlet to be heard. However, it is important to ask ourselves if we are truly listening to ourselves. We could spend more time getting to know ourselves and understanding why certain situations arise. Life would be more beautiful if we become better listeners, both to ourselves and to others.
2. After having children, do we no longer live for ourselves? While I don’t have children, I did have a dog whom I considered my daughter. I often took care of her more than myself and felt guilty for not spending enough time with her. I could empathize with the feelings of frustration and lack of freedom that some of these women expressed. However, after losing my dog on December 31, 2021, I began to grow in consciousness through my pain and loss. I learned to love without attachments and to show more compassion for myself. This, in turn, allowed me to feel more compassion for others. I strive to live a life where I understand myself and others without ego, adopting an observer’s mindset that enables me to see things from different angles, free from judgment and self-centeredness.
Mantra for today: I choose to see beyond myself. I choose to love you.