Open Open

There’s something I notice about certain people that stops me in my tracks every time. Maybe you’ve met one. You walk into a space and they have such presence—like you’ve stepped into a room with someone that sees you, softens you, invites you in.

It’s not in what they say. It’s in how they are.

It’s the way they look at you when you speak. The way they lean in. The way they hold space like nothing else matters in that moment. You feel important—not because they’re trying to impress you, but because they’ve chosen to be present.

What fascinates me about people like this is that their energy isn’t about charisma. It’s not a performance. It’s presence. They’ve made a conscious, courageous choice to be open—to the moment, to the experience, and to you.

That kind of openness? It’s rare. And it’s powerful.

Most of us walk through life a little more closed off than we think. We’ve built quiet barriers—between ourselves and others, between ourselves and possibility. We’ve been hurt. We’ve been judged. We’ve been busy. So we protect ourselves without even realizing it. We go through the motions, guarded and distracted, missing the micro-moments that bring connection, joy, and real magic.

Here’s what I want you to hear:
When you’re closed, you’re not just avoiding potential discomfort. You’re cutting yourself off from real joy. From an unexpected connection. From the chance to surprise yourself and be surprised by life.

How many moments have passed you bysimply because you were on autopilot? How many real conversations never started because you didn’t feel like being “on”? How many smiles, compliments, or opportunities drifted past because your energy said: not today?

Being open doesn’t mean being extroverted. It doesn’t mean putting on a happy face. It means showing up with curiosity, with presence, and with a willingness to be affected—to let people in and let life reach you.

This looks like:

* Making eye contact with the person ringing up your groceries and actually seeing them

*Asking someone how they’re doing and caring enough to pause for the answer

*Talking to someone without needing the conversation to go somewhere useful

*Letting go of your assumptions so you can let in something new

It takes courage to live like this. Real courage. Because when you’re open, you’re visible. And visibility is vulnerable. But when you allow yourself to be seen, you create permission for others to be seen too. And that is where connection lives.

So here’s my invitation for you:
The next time you’re out in the world—whether you’re walking down the street, heading to a meeting, or waiting in line at the coffee shop—choose to be open.

Not performative. Not strategic. Just… open.

Check in with your body. Soften your face. Relax your energy. Expand outward. Let yourself be available. And notice what shifts. Notice how people respond. Notice how you feel when you stop protecting.

And if it’s uncomfortable? That’s okay.

And it’s…Good to Know!