Summary: The author shares observations about how people express their emotions and connect with others through body language and conversation. They note the differences between genuine happiness and polite interactions, as well as how self-acceptance influences how individuals treat others. Ultimately, the author believes that openness and unconditional acceptance are key to fostering meaningful connections.
Someone’s quality of attention is evident from the questions they ask (how much they diverge from what the speaker is saying), if their gaze is wandering elsewhere, if they are fidgeting, restless. (View Highlight)
A person closed to the possibility of delight finds less of it. A person open to it finds more. (View Highlight)
Some people don’t like themselves. They hide this from themselves by thinking they don’t like other people. They often bristle like a porcupine any time someone gets too close. (View Highlight)
My favorite kind of person has an elasticity in their movements. There is an openness that does not need to be announced, a curiosity that looks like turning towards all experience. They are not the loudest, but because they exhibit an unconditional acceptance of everyone, they are usually well loved. (View Highlight)