The Aperture

It wasn't too long ago that someone asked Beth why she was chosen to see the UFO that summer night in 2010 in the Great Smoky Mountain region of western North Carolina.  The Nantahala National Forest to be specific. Sylva, North Carolina.  And, she hadn't thought about this until she discussed this recently.

Svenn is a nice man, lots of interests. It is also important to say that Svenn has a rather large, even huge ego.  Now most of us know a huge ego is always a cover.  A cover for feeling an overstated sense of importance when they really do not feel so important at all.  That they even matter. Most of the time, maybe even all of the time they don't see it.  They are too steeped in their own pattern, their own recycled patterns to discover it.  It usually takes a tragedy of some sort to be honest about it.





Clearly interested in my UFO encounter this is how our conversation went.

"All ego aside, I can't understand why I wouldn't see a UFO.  I mean I
am what they want," said Svenn.

"I have thought about that.  I think he came to me because I am open,
flexible, they know they can trust me. There isn't too much ego in this regard," replied n Beth.

Silence ensued as Beth smiled like a cheshire cat.  Well, not really.  For she knew all too often the pain that comes with having that kind of an ego.  You simply ease others out. It begins with yourself.


Not one to want to exclude anyone, at least on the first go round, she thought she might try another tack.

"Maybe it is also because it is important to include others.  Not to set things up which pick either or.  That's just downright rude.  It is more about this, and this, and.  And is the important conjunction here.  Very inclusive.

Not one to use the right or wrong terminology, mostly because it is downright self-righteous and arrogant, Beth prefers a more gentle approach.  An inclusive one.

Svenn shoulders began to drop.  He sat straight up in his chair.  His jaw softened.  His smile loosened.  Maybe he came away from this encounter having learned something.  Beth sure did.

We accept people as they are and rise above them.  We rise above because we see familiar aspects.  Maybe we even had them once.  Or now.



really.  For she knew the pain that comes with having so many fears
that one would hide behind their ego.  She saw the aperture opening
within Carl.  His shoulders dropped.  His smile softened.  It was a
good day.