What’s the most underrated life skill?

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Quite the conundrum.  

But then again, part of my composition is to take things deeper and make them wider than merited.  Perhaps just the way I have learned to process, learn and hopefully, eventually grow.  Lord knows I have spread plenty of manure around for the past six or so decades.  One would think that ample ground to blossom and bloom.  Sigh….

My initial impression was guided towards an aptitude of presence.  Being fully there in the moment.  Regardless of the calamity or the joy.  Then, add to that, a genuinely crucial and forever human component.  Enjoining in the twin sense of another. 

Empathy that feeds into compassion. 

Presence is what it says, not me.  Neither choosing to escape back into my past or get ahead of myself, determined to know precisely what will happen next.  As painful as it can be, in the grand scheme of things, my moments have not been perpetual.  Well, calamitous yes.  Joyful, no. That is, unless I choose to allow them to be.  

Back to today’s assignment.  

When I am locked into myself, nothing else exists.  Those with far heavier burdens, greater fears and joyous absentia (I think I just made that up, and Ai was really confused.) are in dire need of another, more than anything else. 

Another needs another just to be there to gain a sense of where they are.  That is, isolation – in all its degrees and variations –  is a truly painful and life draining existence. It seems to be rampant these days, though appearances may connive us to believe otherwise.  

When I am not into myself, I can sense those around me.  Gain a sense of where there are and how I might share in that state as well.  Actually feel it. Chances are, I have been where they have, even if only for a moment.  Just that simple, singular level of camaraderie might be that one life altering connection.  Where I feel what they are feeling, am where they are, and not know what to do next. 

That is where empathy feeds right into compassion and ultimately brings each of us closer.  

Once the guard is reduced, the heart can open. Honesty can be shared and trust begins to flow.  Nothing about this interation is transactional whatsoever. 

It is just because I was there and they were there.

Present.

And ultimately, we just needed to sense and feel each other right then.  

Presence opening empathy into the bloom of compassion.

Back to the assignment.

To rate something means I first need to know what I am rating. And not all of my skills are readily apparent, if even known. I am still growing. Maybe you feel the same way.

And life? I am still simply trying to live it to the best of my ability. I am not alone in this. This too connects me with all of you.

Nothing underrated about that.

Something to write home about.