A couple of months ago Annemieke contacted me: “Hey Thijs! We’ve met twice at the train station while you were sharing hugs. I would like to organise an eye gazing event, would you like to help me?” Sure thing! I enjoy participating in social activities with strangers. Especially if I believe those activities contribute to a better world. When Annemieke and I started making plans we discovered that on the 21st of September, International Day of Peace, this activity would be occurring on a global scale. In fact, 102 cities across 5 continents participated. All sharing a common mission:
“Our global society has become thirsty for true connection and this experience allows you to be the change you wish to see in the world by creating an authentic, loving and respectful platform for human connection to flourish in public. When we feel connected to each other, we feel more peaceful, more open and less alone. Sharing one minute of eye contact enables all of this to flow without the need for even speaking the same language.”
We gathered a group of wonderful people who were willing to help and created a couple of signs with the text “Where has human connection gone? Share one minute of eye contact to find out.” We brought blankets, chairs and pillows and situated ourselves in front of the train station in ’s-Hertogenbosch. It was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and a nice breeze.
We sat down, open to whatever wanted to unfold. Many people approached us, sat down and made eye contact. A woman rushed by on her bike and abruptly stopped when she saw our signs. “It’s my birthday today! I would love some connection.” We shared a beautiful moment together and I gave her a big birthday hug. Another girl sat down and within a few seconds I noticed her lips started to shake. A couple of seconds later tears were flowing from her eyes. When I asked her if she was willing to share what was happening she replied with “I feel so seen, it’s wonderful”.
One minute is a long time when making eye contact without saying a word. It can feel vulnerable and scary because your eyes can’t lie and you can feel seen on a deeper level than usual. I remember a couple of months ago when I tried it for the first time. When I was looking at the other person everything was fine, until I consciously made a switch and allowed the other person to see me. I had a physical reaction as all of a sudden I felt so vulnerable! I felt like I was standing naked on a big stage with 10.000 people looking at me. Wow, I didn’t see that coming! When I calmed myself down, I simply noticed two loving eyes that had no bad intentions. Now that I’ve done it a couple of times, I feel more relaxed while looking and allowing others to see me.
We sat down for a couple of hours on the square and men, women, children and elderly people joined us to share a beautiful moment with a stranger. The railway personnel was very kind and brought us coffee, tea and water. A couple of times I stood up and proudly witnessed from a distance what was unfolding.
Moments like these make my heart most happy it’s alive: To be surrounded by a group of beautiful people, inviting strangers to participate in the betterment of the world and getting so many positive responses. It reinforces my believe that, despite all the ugly things that happen in the world, most people are good people. I like to believe that thought. As I heard recently:
The thoughts we choose to believe are like the paint brushes with which we color the painting of our life.
Have a great day everyone!
Comments
Delilah
Thank you