I was drinking my coffee by the water this morning. Rocky, coastal shoreline and sun draped across my not-quite-caffeinated field of vision. I'd hoped for a memorable moment at this spot, but hadn't expected the one I got.
Nearby, I heard a woman's voice getting closer. It took me a minute before I realized she was talking to me. "Nice setup you got there" she'd said pointing to the camp-stove. So I told her how Isobel and I'd found this coastal beach spot at sunset last night and decided we should come back to make breakfast on the shore after camping down the road.
This beach was stunning—completely unassuming and serene. Slabs of smooth rock on either end rose into the coast. The woman and I exchanged niceties while her young son poked his head out from behind her leg. That's when I'd told her how lucky we felt to stumble across this place. But it was what I asked next that led to the moment I'm taking with me. Because when I said "are you local—do you spend a lot of time here?", she threw her head back with a smile and an "ohhhh yeah... isn't that right, Henry?"
Which is what seemed to give her son the courage to fully emerge from his shielded cover. He looked uncertain, but then stood a little bit taller when he saw his mom smiling down at him. I pushed my sunglasses up to my forehead—and off of my eyes,—sending a smile his way as well.
It was then that he began nodding, wearing a smile of his own.
Sometimes we need some encouragement to show people how we feel. We look to others for signs it's safe to come out from our hiding spot. This was a good reminder to give more encouragement. But the reason this moment really stuck with me is because I’ve been forgetting to look for when it’s being offered.
Think of a time when you've wanted to invite someone to share more openly. How'd you go about it? Did it work? What would you do differently?
onward.
-dmac