i had an "ahha" moment today.

it occured as i was cooking dinner,

just a moment ago.

earlier today

i spent a few hours in the company of a good friend.

the kind of friend who has seen you at your best

and your worst.

it was awesome.

just what i needed today.

but that's not the ahha moment.

it was during our visit

when two mutual friends walked into the coffee shop

and we all happily connected briefly with hugs and how are you's and all the usual greetings that are exchanged.

off they went

treasure hunting

and we continued our tea.

chatting about books and jobs and the human condition.

tonight as i am cooking dinner i am thinking

random thoughts and suddenly i reilized this.

because i am chosing to learn to walk an authentic life

i share my story

in a fairly honest and personal way here on this blog

and in my daily interactions with people.

i am far more honest than i have ever been about

my struggles, my journey, my blessings

and the ugly-beautiful

transformations that occur every day.

so today,

in that coffee shop,

when we exchanged the usual pleasantries

it felt deeper than normal.

i looked into their eyes as they asked

"how are you?"

a casual, standard greeting we all use everyday.

but when they asked,

i knew that they knew

they might not get the standard answer

because as a sharer of my life

they know

at least partially,

my ugly-beautiful stories.

they were aware that my answer could go either way.

and it could remain simple and sincere

which it did because that was what was appropriate for the setting

but it could have gone deeper.

and they would have been okay with that i think

because they have witnessed me

in my vulnerable spots

through the stories i share.

this is what just clicked for me.

when i share my stories

when i am vulnerable and honest

it doesn't mean people will think less of me.

there isn't going to be crazy judgement

there is going to be a deeper connection

during every day encounters.

people are going to connect deeply with one another when we

share the truth about our lives.

we are going to look at each other

and see understanding and acceptance and love.

that's what i witnessed today,

they might not even reilize

what occured for me there today.

but it did.

i have taken risks with my writing

and in exchange,

i have received love.

thank.you.