An Invitation. What if we asked questions that opened our hearts?

Posted by LeeAnn on February 15th, 2010 at 04:06pm

“What if, deep inside each person we meet, there resides an answer to a question we have yet to ask?” — Mark Nepo

What if our connection with another person was an invitation to go deeper into others and ourselves? What if we became curious and asked questions that opened a window to deeper intimacy?

To inquire into the interior beingness of another, opens the possibility of authentically knowing ourselves and the other. How different our connection to each other would be if we moved beyond the surface questions of how are you? Or how are things going? What if we asked questions that opened our hearts and the soft places of our longings?

Here are some questions to ponder:

For friendship –
- What’s the best thing about our friendship and what is the one thing I could do to improve in being a friend for you?What is the one thing you have wanted to share with me but have been afraid to do so?
- What has been the most magical part of your day?
For your children –
- On a scale of 1-10, what score would you give your day? Or give your teacher? Or give your best friend? What would you have wanted or needed to have made it a 10?
- If you had a magic wand how would you have used it today?
For married couples –
- What happened this week that caused your heart to open wide or close tight?
- As a husband or wife, what is one thing you have wanted to share with me and has been hard for you?
- What is the best thing that happened this week?

The point is to invite and be willing to not react or defend, rather simply say thank you when someone opens up with tender or vulnerable feelings. The greatest gift we can give someone is our time and attention. We crave being known and yet find few authentic venues to share our most tender selves.

This week, if you are up for the challenge, inquire and invite and see what happens… from my experience it is an honor to bear witness to another soul sharing.

Until next time,