Leading by Example

The way that my Dad was in the world inspires me on a daily basis. He was so true to his values and in turn valued all of those around him and made them feel loved ants special. A couple of months ago during an embodied movement practice, I felt his presence very strongly as did the other participants and I wrote the following poem straight after the session.

Example

My Dad was the sort of man

who talked about his feelings

He taught me that to name my emotional experience was a human right

and this was the most important gift

I have ever received

or ever will.

My Dad was the sort of man who listened more than he spoke

who gave more than he took

and who lit up a room through the humility of his presence.

When I was a skinny, spotty sixteen year old squirming down the stairs in my gruesome green High School Prom dress,

my Dad beamed at me. He told me that I looked beautiful and that he was so proud.

And he meant it.

And I felt beautiful.

That gawky, lanky little girl who got seen by love and made to feel like a million dollars for just being her will always know how it is to feel beautiful from the inside.

And the gratitude I feel for this knowing is

too monumental

for words.