Sam's Top 10 List of Growth Stuff

The birth of a baby - the new skin, the innocent eyes, the effort to bring them into the world and the people who gather to welcome them.

The death of someone we love - the memories of their smile, the tone of their voice, the reality that everyone dies, the unified moment when people cry together and the longing for them to return.

The first flower of spring - the new color, the overwhelming sense that something is changing, the recognition that we didn't notice that spot in the grass before, joy.

Driving - the freedom, the music, the smells, the ability to get ourselves from one point to another, the sense of responsibility for knowing that others are counting on us to keep them safe and re-experiencing our youth.

Being Hungry - the growl in our stomachs, reminds us of moments past, of our favorite foods, of family dinners, of the need to keep those we love - fed, connects us to the garden, the raising of animals and our feelings about cooking.

Loving Someone - the vulnerability, the confusion, the not knowing if they love us in return, the longing for more intimacy, the moments when we were scared that something would interrupt what we had, the sense that we can depend on someone, the sense that we can't.

Physical Pain - the feeling of discomfort, the fear of what it means, our capacity to be hurt, the inconvenience of it all, our need to "do" something to fix it, hating to see others in pain, the worry, the moodiness and memories of other times of pain.

Sex - the moment when we drop our defenses, memories of idealized romance, the engaging of our bodies, the power of touch, pleasure, inadequacy, embarrassment and the possibility of "no words," intimacy at work.

Conflict - the fear, the need to dominate, going unconscious, forgetting that we care about others, wondering why, being completely confused, trying to avoid it only to run into the same one later.

Waking Up - the possibility, the new moment, our way of greeting the day, our relationship to mornings, being young and looking at life, the future, reconnecting with reality, discovery.

So much of life gives us an opportunity to "be" with ourselves. This is the list that most brings me back to mySelf.

I would love to know what kinds of things connect you to your humanity.