Me: Under Construction

A Year of Noticing - Day 136

It continues to fascinate me, what draws my attention on different days and how different themes emerge in a day. Despite the on-going frigid temperatures, today I noticed a number of new outdoor construction projects happening.

The first site had massive scaffolding that looked almost like a building project itself, it was so intricately put together! Like this site, there was fencing all around, a clear signal that work is going on inside, and anyone not doing the work is not to enter the space.

This got me thinking about us, as people. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have a sign that we could wear, “Under construction” or “Re-building in progress”, “Please give me space to re-build”.

In the 80’s or 90’s we might have made bumper stickers; maybe a t-shirt could work as an outward signal or all the inner work that isn’t always noticed or perceptible to others. The work of healing and re-building isn’t easy work and sometimes we need more protection and boundaries when we are doing deep inner work, and I felt curious today about how we might share that more visibly with others.

It also reminded me of something that Brene Brown talks about frequently, about stepping “into the arena only with those who are also willing to step into the arena”. She uses this quote when speaking about whose voices to allow to infiltrate, and who to engage in more vulnerable conversations. Those who aren’t “in the arena” and willing to be vulnerable, curious, authentic or honest won’t be able to fully hear or appreciate what you are saying.

As I saw this fence around the building project, it made me think about who is invited into a building site… only those who are there to do the work. Often, those who are most supportive on a healing and re-building journey are others who are also engaging intentionally in similar work, those entering the construction site ready for work!

Our world seems as though it is going through a massive breaking down, the demolition phase of construction. It is messy, it is uncomfortable, and it looks worse before it gets better.

Perhaps if we simply live under the assumption at the moment, as we live through construction together, that we all are feeling a little more edgy with the mess. We want it to all be cleaned up, and put back together… but while we are in the mess… what might be helpful?

More compassion, more kindess, taking breaks away from the chaos and the mess, and maybe taking some detours along the way to explore a new way when the old way is crumbling.

What do you find most helpful through deep inner re-building and construction phases? How might be help each other through our collective construction and re-building?

xo