Silent Witness

I went to the Tulsa County Court House last week to be with a friend who needed to show up for a court date.  You get in line and wait for them to check your purse, remove coins, etc., scan your body for weapons and then sit down and wait for instructions according to your need for being there on where to go or where to wait for your attorney.  Well, I was able to observe so much in our 2 hour visit!

I've been on these courthouse visits before years ago with a loved one.  Mercy sakes!! The air at that courthouse was full of anger, judgment, fear, resentment, sadness, remorse, regret...!! I felt like I weighed 10 more pounds just from being in there.  It was difficult to sit there!

This visit was totally different! The officer who was admitting all of us in line was polite, courteous, helpful and just plain nice to EVERYONE who was showing up.  "Step this way please. Do you know where to go next? Do you have your paperwork with you? Right this way."

Never once in those 2 hours did I notice any condescending attitudes from any of those employees ushering all walks of life into this arena.

Three other employees were there to direct, to assist, to answer questions, to point and to guide people where they needed to be.  No one was yelled at because they were late or came on the wrong day.  They were simply pointed to the window they needed to go to for assistance.

There was an air of tasteful humor among those three. They were joking and laughing and teasing in those moments between helping others.  And at one point I asked the pleasant female, "You do have to keep a sense of humor in this work I imagine, don't you."

"Yes, we do! It helps the days go by." She answered with a lovely smile and winked at her friends while continuing her work.

I overheard attorneys talking to clients, the judge advising those standing before her, a translator helping those who needed help, parole officers and assistants being helpful, kind, considerate and even patient!

The 'air' in this house was much different that the one I'd visited years before. So, you know me! I sought out the 'head of the house', the supervisor, the top dog.  When I was kindly escorted into her office she pleasantly asked, "How may I help you?"

I told her what all I'd witnessed during my visit.  She sat quietly, smiled, and folded her hands to visibly show me that she was 'present' to my being there and sharing with her.

She replied, "This visit means so much to me.  Thank you.  It has been my hope to encourage everyone working in this space to treat ALL who come through these doors with respect, no matter what they are here for.  Even the homeless guy who shows up outside to search through the smoking can for a cigarette butt deserves to be treated with respect. Thank you for noticing and thank you for sharing this with me."

Often the only time one wants to see the supervisor of any place, it is for a complaint.  How good it is for us to try to see the positive in any building, office, restaurant, hospital, showroom floor,....we enter.

What kind of energy do we bring with us when we show up anywhere?  It's truly up to us what we arrive with! It is powerful beyond our imagination what happens when we arrive with: unconditional love, forgiveness, humor, kindness, respect, joy, gentleness,...without saying a word.  That Energy we bring with us is felt. Think about it. Were you ever at a dinner party and someone arrived and you knew before they were 15 feet into the home they were carrying anger or pain or resentment or negativity for whatever reason and all you want to do is move to the other side of the room.  On the other hand, someone arrives with a fresh air of joy, peace, confidence without ego attachment, a listening ear, a helpful hand and by golly everyone wants to sit next to that person, exchange stories...Think about it.

The next time you wait to get your teeth cleaned, or you are waiting on your food to be served,  to get your car tag renewed, get your stamps, pay for your groceries...consider what energy you are feeling, what energy you are bringing.

Those who are negative usually have a reason. Let's not judge.  Let's silently pray for them as we return to our space, our house, our car.  A silent witness can do so much, can't we?!! I know there are days I'm not always positive! But if you are standing behind me and I'm being a grouch, tell me to snap out of it!! :-)