It's been interesting lately, I have had a lot of comments from friends and loved ones who have all commented on the fact that I've acted at some point, even for many years, as a mentor or a someone they can confide in and be listen to.
I find this interesting because it's not something that I have ever intentionally made myself available for. Nor have I ever felt obliged to to be "that person", becoming burdened by their messy lives. It just seems to be something that happens. I care for these people, I care about what happens to them. I suppose I just ask the right questions and let them know that no matter what, even when I don't feel as though I have the comforting words, that I am present for them. Both then and later on. Even the simplicity of a gentle touch to the hand can send waves of information. All of this is to reinforce that they are not alone. That no matter what, there will always be someone walking beside them, somebody who cares for them and loves them. Also, reminding them that they are surrounded by many others who also love them and want to support them - they just don't always know how to tell them so.
I'm not exactly sure how or why I am good at this. If I were to take a guess, I think it has a lot to do with my own life experiences. I personally have gone through my own share of difficult times, tragedies, of friction. I've always done my best to view these moments as learning opportunities. Opportunities for me to grow, to become a better person. It doesn't mean that I never cried or that I had never been up late wondering "why? why me?" or have private tantrums with the world. I think and hope these responses are all natural.
At some point we stop asking these questions, at which time we can become grateful for those lessons learned, for those difficult times. And although it would've been nicer if we never had to go through those moments, but it creates this maturity, a wiseness. For me, I think it's important to share those experiences, to be open about them. Because we are never alone and my experiences are always somebody else's. Generally not exactly the same, but in some way similar. And by sharing, it creates connections, so that the burden is no longer on their shoulders alone. You do this so that they can have the time to develop their own strength. It is in that time we are then able to heal, and healing can only occur with space.
And finally one day they too will be able to help pass this same love and support to those that they love and care for.
Om Shanti.
At some point we stop asking these questions, at which time we can become grateful for those lessons learned, for those difficult times. And although it would've been nicer if we never had to go through those moments, but it creates this maturity, a wiseness. For me, I think it's important to share those experiences, to be open about them. Because we are never alone and my experiences are always somebody else's. Generally not exactly the same, but in some way similar. And by sharing, it creates connections, so that the burden is no longer on their shoulders alone. You do this so that they can have the time to develop their own strength. It is in that time we are then able to heal, and healing can only occur with space.
And finally one day they too will be able to help pass this same love and support to those that they love and care for.
Om Shanti.
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