Holding space and being fully present is indeed hard. Realizing that this moment will never be here again. That there’s no past or future, just right now, can be liberating or terrifying, depending on how we choose to see it. I’ve learned a lot about being mindful from the Headspace app, which has helped me learn to meditate over the past two years. Noticing our minds and letting go of thoughts continuously, and realizing we are not our thoughts, is also freeing. Empathy is hard because it makes us vulnerable and steps us back from judgment/separation from others. Since my bipolar 2 diagnosis two years ago and finally treatment for it after decades of therapy has also been life changing. Learning to slow down and do one thing at a time. I still and not so good at it. I love John Pavlovitz. Thanks for this gentle, insightful piece, Vanessa.
I do a lot of holding space. It's fairly easy for me because, for some reason, it's built in to who I am this lifetime and I'm VERY grateful. I do my best to acknowledge whatever the awful is happening with someone and hold a space of calm and non-judgement. I absolutely pick who I hold space for/with. I have my moments of incredulity, despair, and anger, but those are private.
Holding space and being fully present is indeed hard. Realizing that this moment will never be here again. That there’s no past or future, just right now, can be liberating or terrifying, depending on how we choose to see it. I’ve learned a lot about being mindful from the Headspace app, which has helped me learn to meditate over the past two years. Noticing our minds and letting go of thoughts continuously, and realizing we are not our thoughts, is also freeing. Empathy is hard because it makes us vulnerable and steps us back from judgment/separation from others. Since my bipolar 2 diagnosis two years ago and finally treatment for it after decades of therapy has also been life changing. Learning to slow down and do one thing at a time. I still and not so good at it. I love John Pavlovitz. Thanks for this gentle, insightful piece, Vanessa.
I agree wholeheartedly, Vanessa <3
I do a lot of holding space. It's fairly easy for me because, for some reason, it's built in to who I am this lifetime and I'm VERY grateful. I do my best to acknowledge whatever the awful is happening with someone and hold a space of calm and non-judgement. I absolutely pick who I hold space for/with. I have my moments of incredulity, despair, and anger, but those are private.