Eyes...

I am working on a paper for my seminar class. I am picking out what I believe are the major points in the four parts of the book. I am working on Part 2 right now.

When I first read the book, I was struck by this question: "What does my body language say to my students?" I began to reflect on my body language with kids and with peers. I took a critical look at how I hold myself while in conversation. It got me thinking about how I listen to people. I know that I tend to look around while I'm talking/listening to people, especially when there are other people moving around that are not involved with the conversation. I guess I am just easily distracted, but I can see how this may cause the people involved to think I am not listening.

While writing the paper, I began thinking about why I do this. Maybe I am just easily distracted.

I have noticed though that when talking to some people, their stare is too intense. I've heard that the eyes are the window to the soul. Matthew 6:22 says that the "eye is the lamp of the body".

I feel so intimidated sometimes when people look into my eyes. I feel exposed. Unsafe.

A little over a month ago, I had this almost haunting experience. I was in conversation with some people I had just met. We were talking about music. Someone asked me what kind of music I like. The look in their eyes caught me so off guard. It's like that question was a load of bricks slamming into me. I felt like I was frantically searching for an answer that would be worthy. It was the craziest thing. When I think about it now, I can still see the eyes. So purposeful.

I don't think we wear our hearts on our sleeves. We show it in our eyes.

I guess this is why my eyes wander in conversations. The intensity is sometimes too much for prolonged periods of time.