Safe to Exhale
If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that I’m not certain about anything.
We all know that person. The one who knows everything. The one who not only seems to know everything, but makes sure you know they know. But everyone else knows they don’t really know anything. (”They don’t know that we know they know we know!”) These kind of people like to state their opinions loudly and firmly. And honestly, they are usually a chore to be around.
But I have noticed some things. Or rather some people.
I have realized that all along, the people who most impacted my life were rarely the loudest person in the room. They were the ones who made it feel safe to exhale. The ones who made it feel okay to have doubts and uncertainties. The ones who sat and just made space for me to be.
The older I get, the less impressed I am by loud certainty and the more moved I am by grounded presence.
Loud certainty leaves no room for questions or growth. Grounded presence gives you an anchor while you grow.
Loud certainty says, “I’m right and you’re wrong.” Grounded presence says, “Let’s sit down and talk about this.”
Loud certainty says, “Look at me!” Grounded presence says, “I see you.”
In a world where there is so much pressure to be on top, the best, flawless, performance under pressure, it’s refreshing to find people who are comfortable in the raw middle, with the pause, just being present. Not people who are complacent, but people who are content. Grounded presence. Genuine caring. Calm steadiness. Not the most observed, but the most observant.
