Let's share

Sometimes, when I'm sitting in a café or on the lifting side of a sand dune, an almost overwhelming feeling gusts through me, of wanting to share that moment. And, if I don't, I will have lost something.

But then, those moments are not truly lost, I think. They coalesce. They're unique and help build the world I inhabit. Gradually, others may see this world too.

As I get older,  stillness begins to supersede action; stepping back a little becomes more satisfying than ardent, constant involvement. I reckon one might  get more out of those experiences.

However, I wonder what it means to truly "share" experiences? Is that even possible? Can anyone accurately communicate to another what an experience was like for them? Is it only possible to "tell" someone about an experience? Are words enough? Is you whole body even enough? Does emotion enhance the "telling" or does it just get in the way?

Interpersonal processes are very complex. Study after study reinforces this realisation. I've managed to process a few ideas that might be releveant.

When the knowledge about a particular event or experience is mutual, the depth of the sharing increases.

When the emotional content of the event or experience is similar, the sharing deepens.

It's also likely that sharing deepens when participants are present, aware, mindful and in the moment.

Another thought. Let's say a person living with Post Traumatic Stress, shares heir experience with an interested audience. It seems likely that most of that audience won't "get" what the speaker may be tryiing to convey. Levels of openness, readiness, experience, mindset, cognitive and emotional abilities will all vary amongst the listening group, such that the message may reach many ears but not hearts and minds. But one aspect is widely agreed. The audience recogises that the lived experience of the indicidual will create a more open path into our thinking - and, therfore, our feelings and behaviour.

How would I communicate what my experience of looking at the scene in the photograph? I was on my own when I took it. A person looking at that image will construct their own reaction to it, probably quite removed from what I experienced at the time and drove me to take that shot. Even I, at some future time, will edit my experience when trying to share it.

This begs the question. What's the point, in the end, of even trying to share experiences if it's all so complicated and difficult?

Willing to be vulnerable is one of the cornerstones of building strong and lasting relationships. This almost sounds counter-intuitive. However, I believe that being willing to share experiences helps us make vulnerability one of our strengths rather than something to fear and leads to mutually stronger connections.

Sharing experiences lets us see that we are not alone in the world. It encourages us to trust ourselves, and eventually, for others to trust us.

We live in a world of closed minds and the constant pressure to avoid being vulnerable. At least that's how it may appear.

Our greatest strength may very well lie in the ability to observe the cracks in our own heart and share what we see in there.