"When you decide to try it, it won't be any good." Do you know where I found this reference? Home Alone2. The scene in the attic of Carnegie Hall where conversation between Kevin and the Pigeon Lady provides much food for thought. Two profound minutes nestled in the lightness of a holiday movie. If you missed them the cliff notes follow: The Pigeon Lady sets the stage:
"I don't have many friends....I am like my birds...people pass me in the street. They see me but they try to ignore me. They prefer I wasn't a part of their City." "Everybody wants to be seen and heard."
"I wasn't always like this....I was once in love and my heart was broken...whenever the chance to be loved came along again, I ran away from it. I stopped trusting people. I was afraid of getting my heart broken again..." The pigeons are not only this character's friends, they are also her shroud. She trusts them and they in turn keep her from being seen by strangers protecting her from further hurt and harm. Kevin imparts his 10 year old wisdom: "That seems like sort of a dumb thing to do." Kevin goes on to explain how he once had a pair of roller blades that he was afraid to use for fear of ruining them. He kept them in a box and out grew them without wearing them even once. They were only admired and never truly enjoyed. No terrain explored at the speed of light. Neither laughter nor thrill experienced while racing down the street. Kevin's skates remained safe. Preserved in their box until it was too late. In the spirit of youth, Kevin recognizes the foolishness of his actions and the insight to be shared with his new friend. "If you aren't going to use your heart what's the difference if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, it will be like my roller blades. When you decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Your heart might still be broken, but it isn't gone...." It sounds pretty straightforward with very little downside. A matter of choice. A matter of resolution. We all want to be seen, heard and loved. Deep down we all want to trust. And most likely, we all have been hurt or broken. Some way some how a past experience holds us back in fear. We cover ourselves up with mindless distractions, work, or pigeons. Whether it's our heart or something else, we have hidden at least one treasure we could share with the world. It is possible this gift is still tucked away; wrapped up safe and pristine as Father Time marches on. In four days you will either banter or decidedly create a list of New Years Resolutions. Some of which will be forgotten before the next full moon. In lieu of a long list, make one simple resolution to unwrap your skates, let them get dirty and take them for a spin! Peel back the curtain of fear that guards your personal gifts. If it feels too risky to cast off your own shroud take a chance on someone else. Adopt a resolution to acknowledge another soul in your world. Give someone a few moments of your time each day. Allow them to be "seen and heard". Whatever you decide, make your resolution sacred and allow it to be a seed that can multiply for yourself and for others. Before it is too late."Your heart might still be broken, but it isn't gone. If it was gone you wouldn't be this nice." Make the commitment to use the good stuff this year. Your favorite china, your favorite perfume, your favorite dress, your heart and your soul. Share then all often with everyone you meet.
Put on your good shoes and Dance!
Happy New Year,
Nancy
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