There is an older woman at my gym (late 70s to mid 80s maybe), she is Asian (I believe Chinese), she doesn’t speak English, and I don’t speak Mandarin or Cantonese (I believe she speaks one of those languages). Somehow, we’ve developed a connection. We speak to each other, she in Cantonese or Mandarin and I in English. Although I don’t understand a lick of what she says – I understand – if you know what I mean.
She exudes a beautiful energy, she smiles with her eyes and her entire face, pretty and beautiful at the same time. Yes, those two words mean something different to me. Pretty is a tangible physical attractiveness. Beautiful encompasses aura, energy, that inner light that comes from a sense of peace, kindness, compassion and self-awareness – it’s transcendent. We now greet each other with a hug, yet we do not know each other’s names. Perhaps, kindred spirits. I love it.
