Walk in a person's footsteps quietly

“Walk in a person’s footsteps quietlyWalk in a person’s footsteps singingWalk in the footsteps”

Yoko Ono’s short verse sits simply in the centre of a plain white wall in a gallery that is flooded with Summer light.How often have I walked in someone’s footsteps quietly?  Mostly, I walk with my head full of chatter  “Why are they burdening me with their problems?  Why can’t they work this out themselves?  I’m sure we’ve had this conversation a hundred times before…..When will they stop talking so that I can give my opinion, my advice, my experience?  How can I interrupt so that I can tell them my news?......What shall I cook for dinner?  Will I be late for my next appointment?  If they could just get to the point I could get away to make that phone call…..”

When do I stop, put down the clutter of my mind and give another my full attention?

When do I walk in their footsteps and look at their world in the way that they do so that I can understand them, see things for their point of view, get a sense of what they are really saying?

And singing?  Do I really share other people’s joy?  Do I sing with them, enjoying the moment, acknowledging their success and letting go of my own need for recognition, attention and achievement?So tomorrow, I will remember to:

Take off my washing up gloves and listen and laugh with my daughter when she tells me about her holiday with friends.

Hear the anxiety behind the angry bluster when a manager tells me about an awkward member of their teamWalk quietly with the client who is working out how to coach a team member who is struggling in a restructured role.