Strength Is Something You See Through Someone’s Eyes

And feel through someone’s heart

I felt calm on my way to meet a new friend for lunch yesterday. There were no nerves. This isn’t something that ever happens.

Social anxiety sneaks up anytime I am going to try something new, especially meeting someone new.

But, not yesterday. I’ve been feeling calmer than usual lately.

I was on the 405 freeway, blasting music for a concert that I’m headed to this week, trying to memorize all the songs so I look hip to my teenage daughter and her friends, and there wasn’t a nerve igniting in my body.

Smoothing sailing on the 405 freeway, I realize that I actually like this artist. I don’t care that I am older than the demographic that likes this music.

Age is just a number anyway.

As I approached the exit, the time ticks down on my map. 6 minutes once I get off the freeway.

There are no nerves. It’s weird. I acknowledge that and let it in, fully. I embrace this newness. It has to be because of my spidey sense about a person.

I can spot someone genuine, even through their written word, I think. At least, I hope. If I get a weird twinge from even a sentence that I read, I can imagine how an encounter would go.

This new friend of mine is a writer here on Medium. I wish I saved her first comment to me as I can’t remember what story it was from, but it touched me so deeply that someone would take the time to write such a nice, long, heartfelt response to someone they didn’t know.

That someone being me.

She is uplifting and kind. It’s hard not to spot those things in her writing.

She cares and she has empathy, something that I gravitate towards.

As I approach the restaurant, there are no nerves hanging around. I entered her phone number wrong so when I texted her, she obviously didn’t get it. I waited a few minutes and decided to go look inside the restaurant to find her.

She was sitting right there, right where I looked. Her eyes and smile are so bright.

I sit down and joke about how I entered her number wrong and there was no ice to break. We had a great conversation and it flowed.

As we kept eye contact, I could see the strength through her eyes. I could feel her gentle heart and the love that she feels for her family.

She carries so much wisdom when it comes to relationships.

I listen intently as she tells me tidbits from her life and the beautiful place where she lives on the east coast. She is originally from Southern California and went to high school just down the street from where I live now.

It’s a small, weird world sometimes.

She has lost, loved, and had many wonderful experiences in her life. She’s raised children, helped the youth, and moved across the country.

She is a strong woman. May we know them is part of the saying, right?

When I look into someone’s eyes, I see their soul, their hopes and dreams, and who they are deep down.

Eyes are the mirror to the soul. To the heart.

Warm eyes shed light on a warm soul and I feel lucky when I meet someone that has kind eyes and a warm soul. In this world, it’s a treasure to have people in your life that are good.

As our lunch wraps up, she tells me that she has a gift for me. I instantly feel bad. I only feel bad because I don’t have something to reciprocate. I am generous and always want to reciprocate but in a situation like this, I just have to receive.

I had nothing to give. I have to be ok with that.

I remind myself that I can give another time.

She tells me that she went to this cool store that gave her a feeling of home just as she walked in. The comforting smell of the shop was like a warm hug.

I can smell exactly what she means as I begin to open the bag. The smell is so inviting.

She tells me sweet things and how she feels about the person that I am. It’s a foreign feeling but I welcome it. She is being truly genuine.

I grab a box out of the bag and it reads:

“Today I touch the strength of my soul. I live in confidence for life to conspire with me!”

I feel. I am taking that as my strength these days instead of a weakness. I am not weak because I feel so deeply.

My new friend feels, too. She has strength in relationships because of how she cares and feels.

She cared enough about me, someone she hadn’t even met in person yet, to get me such a sweet gift.

Inside the candle, there is Moroccan Amber, Tiger’s Eye Heart, and Flourite. Each represents something special.

These are something that I need. Something she sensed through my writing, I believe.

I need to take over my personal power, improve my decision-making, and cleanse my energy fields.

As we wrap up our lunch, she tells me to come to visit anytime on the east coast, and she means it. That makes me smile.

As we say our goodbyes, a hug always tells me so much about a person. I love a good hug and so does she.

A new friendship has blossomed. I feel lucky to have met such an authentic soul.

As I got back onto the 405 freeway, still blasting my new playlist, I feel no relief because I wasn’t nervous. My introverted self doesn’t feel the need to retreat and recharge.

Thank you, Terry Pottinger, for helping me grow.

One interaction can teach us so much about ourselves, others, and life.

I will leave you with one of her beautiful stories:

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Thanks for reading!

Much love, Michele