Thank you! I especially like the way you frame the matter of having empathy and boundaries by having permeable boundaries. They keep you from getting lost, but allow you to engage the feelings of the other person with honesty. I had a role for forty years that required me to genuinely care about the people I was serving, to be vulnerable while not taking on their pain as if it was mine. It allowed me to remain able to be a help to them.
Peter, that is beautiful. Yes, "They (permeable boundaries) keep you from getting lost, but allow you to engage the feelings of the other person with honesty." You are an example of how empathy can be given, shared and experienced, without sacrificing one's self away or falling into burn out. Forty years! WOW, thank you for your service, your offering, your presence.
Really, really beautiful Julie! Your metaphors for empathy really called to mind my Container of Presence. When we can make our Container ever more spacious, we then have the capacity to truly hold space for another. I am so touched by this. Thank you for your words! I love how they flowed from impulse. ❤️
Thanks Jenna. I am trying to live my life more and more from following these impulses and the crumbs. Similar to what your wrote about in your Yes/No post. By tuning in and listening, I am willing to be supported and guided rather than the mind alone commandeering the ship. I probably would never have written about empathy. But by following the impulse I learned about myself and empathy too. And writing is its own teacher too.
Julie, I love what you share here, I know that we have similar stories and I see myself in your words. I know it is enormously difficult to express it, especially as the very thing that you bring to us is emotionally charged. I was so delighted to see your mention of vulnerability as low and behold my post today touches on this too. It feels like a soothing call that it's finally ok to you be you (and me) and that sharing these stories can light the spark in others. And it gives them hope, so much hope. In honour of all that you are. Louise xx
Thanks Louise. Yes that is the journey, the call, the work..."that it's finally OK to be you (and me)" Not an easy pill to swallow, or path to traverse. For it calls us to meet what is in the way. At times I just want to follow the crowd, tow the line. But that is not my way. And as hard and challenging as that is, the beauty and wonder it exposes is beyond what I am able to see when I am wearing blinders. It is worth taking them off. Louise, may your current travels, inner and outer, be ones filled courage, grace and wonder.
I get that Julie, more and more lately I have recognised that I was never meant to fit it, that was the whole point and any attempt to just made things more difficult. Here's to being different and being comfortable with all that brings.
Thank you! I especially like the way you frame the matter of having empathy and boundaries by having permeable boundaries. They keep you from getting lost, but allow you to engage the feelings of the other person with honesty. I had a role for forty years that required me to genuinely care about the people I was serving, to be vulnerable while not taking on their pain as if it was mine. It allowed me to remain able to be a help to them.
Peter, that is beautiful. Yes, "They (permeable boundaries) keep you from getting lost, but allow you to engage the feelings of the other person with honesty." You are an example of how empathy can be given, shared and experienced, without sacrificing one's self away or falling into burn out. Forty years! WOW, thank you for your service, your offering, your presence.
Really, really beautiful Julie! Your metaphors for empathy really called to mind my Container of Presence. When we can make our Container ever more spacious, we then have the capacity to truly hold space for another. I am so touched by this. Thank you for your words! I love how they flowed from impulse. ❤️
Thanks Jenna. I am trying to live my life more and more from following these impulses and the crumbs. Similar to what your wrote about in your Yes/No post. By tuning in and listening, I am willing to be supported and guided rather than the mind alone commandeering the ship. I probably would never have written about empathy. But by following the impulse I learned about myself and empathy too. And writing is its own teacher too.
I love your metaphor for empathetic understanding. That is so important and a more potent visual than simply putting yourself in one's shoes💓
Thanks Catherine. 💓
Julie, I love what you share here, I know that we have similar stories and I see myself in your words. I know it is enormously difficult to express it, especially as the very thing that you bring to us is emotionally charged. I was so delighted to see your mention of vulnerability as low and behold my post today touches on this too. It feels like a soothing call that it's finally ok to you be you (and me) and that sharing these stories can light the spark in others. And it gives them hope, so much hope. In honour of all that you are. Louise xx
Thanks Louise. Yes that is the journey, the call, the work..."that it's finally OK to be you (and me)" Not an easy pill to swallow, or path to traverse. For it calls us to meet what is in the way. At times I just want to follow the crowd, tow the line. But that is not my way. And as hard and challenging as that is, the beauty and wonder it exposes is beyond what I am able to see when I am wearing blinders. It is worth taking them off. Louise, may your current travels, inner and outer, be ones filled courage, grace and wonder.
I get that Julie, more and more lately I have recognised that I was never meant to fit it, that was the whole point and any attempt to just made things more difficult. Here's to being different and being comfortable with all that brings.