On holding and being held...
A very special person gave me this painting for Christmas last year. With the waves of light, earth and sky, full moon and space holding hearts, I could have very well passed right through this scene in a dream that opened my heart to alternate realities in 2008. Artwork by Bobby Stiers from Asheville, NC
Early last year, I came across an article about "holding space". Every word touched me deeply to the point that by the time I reached the bottom of the page, I knew mastering this beautiful thing is what I want above all else for my earth journey. It is my prayer every morning, "God, help me hold space for others as you hold us."
It is a bold prayer and one that some mornings I shrink back from after it leaves my lips. We know, God answers the prayers of our sincere hearts. The answers come in waves... Some gentle and soft, some intense and strong. All beautiful.
In 2008, I had a very vivid dream.. The crazy thing is that from my early college years until recently, I never dreamed. A sleep study determined that I suffered from "Insomnia with no underlying cause". Nevertheless, I spent one amazing evening being introduced to my heart about nine years ago. I learned that it is a door, a door that only I have the power to open and shut, that it is connected to ancient knowledge and wisdom beyond what we have in all the libraries on Earth and it sees and understands everything that is essential to life. Every heart is the same and they are all connected. The dream was so intense that I couldn't find words to write about it in my journal, so the pages were filled day after day with little sketches of open hearts, hearts entwined with nature, hearts connecting earth and sky, hearts sending out waves and waves of life, hearts holding space.
Reading the article about holding space brought those images back like a flood. My prayer began to usher in light, love, people and opportunities to learn the art of holding space. The intensity of some of the relationships and situations that I've encountered this year sometimes brought out the best in me but more often called out all the unhealed bits where fear and doubt still fester. Each one gives me the chance to repeat old hardwired responses or go higher. I find myself doing both.
I completed the coach/mentor certification with HeartMath Institute in February. I started the courses the same time my Dad's heart condition had us in various hospitals on a regular basis. I took more than half of the classes from the Emory Heart Failure Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia while sitting with the first man I ever loved who is on his own heart journey. And God let me hold space for my Dad.
Here are the things I've learned about holding space:
BIG love to all the space holders in my life. You may never know how important you are, but I will try to move far enough beyond my fear to tell you.
~L
It is a bold prayer and one that some mornings I shrink back from after it leaves my lips. We know, God answers the prayers of our sincere hearts. The answers come in waves... Some gentle and soft, some intense and strong. All beautiful.
In 2008, I had a very vivid dream.. The crazy thing is that from my early college years until recently, I never dreamed. A sleep study determined that I suffered from "Insomnia with no underlying cause". Nevertheless, I spent one amazing evening being introduced to my heart about nine years ago. I learned that it is a door, a door that only I have the power to open and shut, that it is connected to ancient knowledge and wisdom beyond what we have in all the libraries on Earth and it sees and understands everything that is essential to life. Every heart is the same and they are all connected. The dream was so intense that I couldn't find words to write about it in my journal, so the pages were filled day after day with little sketches of open hearts, hearts entwined with nature, hearts connecting earth and sky, hearts sending out waves and waves of life, hearts holding space.
Reading the article about holding space brought those images back like a flood. My prayer began to usher in light, love, people and opportunities to learn the art of holding space. The intensity of some of the relationships and situations that I've encountered this year sometimes brought out the best in me but more often called out all the unhealed bits where fear and doubt still fester. Each one gives me the chance to repeat old hardwired responses or go higher. I find myself doing both.
I completed the coach/mentor certification with HeartMath Institute in February. I started the courses the same time my Dad's heart condition had us in various hospitals on a regular basis. I took more than half of the classes from the Emory Heart Failure Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia while sitting with the first man I ever loved who is on his own heart journey. And God let me hold space for my Dad.
Here are the things I've learned about holding space:
- Sincerity with yourself and others is crucial.
- Kindness to yourself and others is sustaining.
- Self love and care of your mind, body, soul and responsibilities is vital.
- Mindfulness and presence is the space you create in time for others to safely experience their journey.
- Honoring those that are holding space for you honors the great and mysterious connection of all hearts everywhere.
- "Love what is" will open paths before you that resistance will never let you see.
BIG love to all the space holders in my life. You may never know how important you are, but I will try to move far enough beyond my fear to tell you.
~L
