Have you ever met someone out of the blue and immediately hit it off? You just start talking and you’re so engaged and in the moment that the world seems to blur around you.
This can happen in the most normal of situations. You can sit next to somebody on a plane or share a table at a coffee shop or chat while you are waiting in line. The conversation starts and continues effortlessly.
You feel seen and heard at a deep level. You see and hear the other in the same way. You connect from your heart without preconceived notions or judgments.
It is a wonderful experience to be in this magical moment that you wish could continue forever.
A moment like this happened recently when Anne was at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri. At this well respected annual event, ranchers show off their heifers for ribbons and prize money.
After we watched several categories of competition from the stands, we decided to see what else the show had to offer. We found our way into the stalls where the cows were being groomed for the show.
We had walked the length of the building and were coming up a side aisle when Anne saw heifer number 58. She was leery of us as we approached her stall. You could say she was almost fearful.
Anne decided to talk to her to see what was going on because she felt so naturally kindhearted.
Anne intuitively said, “Hi” and asked how she was doing. She quickly responded that she wasn’t going to be here that long. She was nervous about that. This made sense because this was the last day of the event, and she would be leaving for home soon. Or, she would be sold. We did not know.
Anne asked her what she thought of her kind being the center of attention at these events. She said she thought it was stupid she was their entertainment. She did not understand it, but she was there to do what the humans asked her to do.
Normally, throughout the day she was ignored except when they are preparing to show her off. It’s not mean – it’s just how it is. Our talking to her took her relaxed her, so she started to come closer to the side of her stall.
Soon, she told Anne she would like to be friends. Anne was seeing her deeply, paying attention to her and talking to her. She said this was unusual but felt good.
She said she was fearful in the beginning, but now she was feeling the connection and love coming from Anne. She kept getting closer to Anne but was held back by the rope that tied her up.
This cow was feeling seen and appreciated, and Anne was also feeling seen and appreciated. Number 58 said it was a meaningful moment, and it meant a lot to her. She said she would remember it. It was two beings coming together to share a little time and love.
Anne touched her heart, and she touched Anne in her heart. It was a moment of close connection just like having a brief conversation with someone on a plane.
As we parted, we wished her well, wished her goodness and thanked her for her interaction with us. Anne was in tears. Anne wanted this moment in time to continue since it felt so easy and heartfelt. It was with a cow, not a human. But just as powerful. Go figure!
This moment with the heifer was on our minds the rest of the day. We had dinner with Anne’s friends from childhood that night and made it a point to utilize the lesson we had just learned from our time with number 58. We made sure to see them with as much depth and heart as possible. We did our best to be present and focused knowing we only had a short time together.
As a result, we all had a great time and a deep connection. By focusing on them like we did with the cow, it made the conversation more meaningful and fun.
So now as we go about our days, we try to make each interaction with other beings as meaningful as possible whether it’s with birds, animals or humans. Whether it’s looking someone in the eyes when we talk, truly listening to when spoken to or smiling at someone who passes us by, we are now doing our best.
Our interaction with a cow made us better people. Our connection to this world feels more meaningful now, and we are more intent to come from our hearts. As a result, it feels like the world a little bit more friendly, connected and fun.
To learn more about the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri visit https://americanroyal.com