@ Daan -- you were SUCH a pleasure to meet and to watch, and I remember the very first night, at the meet-up, you jumped up to give me a hug goodbye and we had barely had a chance to talk. I think I fell in love with you and your open, happy energy at that moment.
I myself can often be shy and while I'm always friendly sometimes I have found 'small talk' to be excruciating, probably because on some level it felt fake. I like real, meaningful conversation.
Sooo, as it turns out that aversion to small talk was actually about
me, in that I must have been caring too much about how I was perceived by other people. Since this workshop, I have been TOTALLY connected to everyone I've met, just about. I haven't cared at all what they think about me or how I'm dressed - just about the feeling of being connected and caring about them. I've had more genuine
meaningful small talk conversations (read: connections) in the last few days than, well, ever.
I can FEEL like we are all connected, and sharing this amazing adventure in just...different packages of the same thing, same essence. It's such a great feeling, I am walking around with an even bigger grin than I was before (I was already happy!). Many people at the workshop told me they felt great connection with me and great energy, and while I went in with the intention to really put myself out there, I came out with even more than I could have imagined.
Thanks Steve, especially for that final exercise which I keep recalling and re-doing whenever I feel that connected sensation fading.
@ Jim: Just wanted to say that I really love the way you are supporting your friend Dan here in the forum, and also love your posts on facebook. Thanks for sharing here what could have been kept private - I'll bet it's helpful for both of you, but it is also helpful for me.
xo
Shauna