Bit late- I’m just sitting down to wind down from the day and can think of no better place to do so 
Today’s been interesting and different for me. I’m used to supporting people in my work but it’s usually in a very ‘mind based’ way- providing insight, picking up and reflecting back, gentle nudges and tweaks regarding thought patterns etc. It requires a great deal of mental focus and presence and I love it.
People talk about ‘holding space’ and I can feel when I’m doing this well- I love it when I can feel the flow of energy and shifts happening.
Today, however, as a one off has been about a much more earthy type of support- being there, providing food, practical support and comfort. I really enjoyed this change and the experience of providing a more ‘grass roots’ nurturing.
Really interesting to see things from another perspective. It also showed me something about balance and why I’m drawn to spend so much of my time outside work in a more grounded, practical space.
Violet sending love to you and your dog too 💜 It’s good to hear everyone’s experiences of dogs recovering well. I had a cat who had part of her tail amputated, she was fine and I also thought it added to her charm in the end. I love spaniels- such inquisitive bounding bundles of fun.
Kizzy I’m with you on the social media thing. Such lovely respite from it here.
Sokere I used to have that fretting and stomach churning too- I can really relate to what you’re saying. I read something that talked about the tendency for women particularly to be so adverse to upsetting people or not moving to fix others’ pain.
The article suggested that the issue wasn’t really about ‘wanting to help’ but about not being willing to be with our pain and others’ due to our own discomfort.
It was a bit of a revelation to me, learning to be with discomfort without trying to fix it (for my own benefit really). Much more productive for everyone involved in the end I think.
We used to employ a worker to support people. She said she could not bear to ‘make people feel bad’, would do everything she could to soothe them and never challenge. People liked being with her but never changed or moved on, she ended up burnt out from holding everyone’s pain and no one ultimately benefitted.
I think there’s real power and possibility in being with discomfort without moving to fix it. It tends to mean something has to change IME. Like queenrollo says it really frees you up to enjoy the things and people that are positive for you in the long run.
Hello littleninja, glad you could join us
Hills I much prefer it when we can just stop and appreciate the snow when we have it. Very beautiful but largely impractical to do all we have to do in it!
Right, time for a camomile tea and bed I think 