The Changer and The Changed

Singer, songwriter, Cris Williamson created an album in the 1970's called, "The Changer and the Changed." Such is the case whenever we interact with others. We are both changer and changed, especially if we allow ourselves to be open, to be authentic and honest. We can mutually change each other, often in beautiful ways.

In order to do this, we often have to sift through the waves of different feelings and thoughts to our underlying essences and allow those to show. I like to think of changer and changed in the metaphor of beach glass. We are both the glass, turned over by the ocean, and the ocean turning over the glass, moving each. The glass, in turn becomes smoother, more beautiful.

 (Image from tearsfromthedeep.com)

When you look at your life right now, where are you the beach glass? What aspects of your life still feel sharp? Are you allowing yourself to be moved? How? What in your life feels outside your permission? How is this different?

In what ways are you the sea, with yourself and with others?

Among your friends, classmates or colleagues, with whom do you feel changer and changed?  How does this change you to know this?

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Dr. Heather Schwartz is a relational and mindfulness-oriented psychologist in Portland, Oregon who delights in working with warm and expressive people (aka deep feelers).