Reciprocity

We need to face directly, release, and heal from human pain and injustice. We practice facing the truths together, even though they are not packaged to our size, seemingly small and petty or large and overwhelming. We practice releasing emotions physically, sharing our stories, comprehending our feelings and needs, reprocessing human experience, and finding ways to speak out about human tragedy and injustice. We also practice being good listeners and companions for others as they do this work themselves.

Trauma sets in and persists when we are left alone in our pain and injustice; good attention by others is essential for health and health is essential for a centered life.  Without public responsibility for and diligence in this, human stress and distress dominate and order our lives and obstruct our individual and collective sense of the divine.

That is really good.

I think that's the guide for my counseling, and for myself…my own healing.
I read yesterday that the opposite of poverty is not wealth…it is justice.
When I think of that, and the above, I realize how poor in spirit most of us are…
most of us crave justice…
and yet we are treated as less than…
Every group, in one way or another, is less than…
Well maybe there are some (particularly powerful, white males) who are not less than.

I am trying to develop a style that allows the person to tell their story of loss and disconnect,
as many times and in as many versions as possible,
until they find a lesson buried in it all.
That's the alchemy…turning our experience into wisdom.

But, the beauty of the above passage is that it calls on many to support and assist others through their pain. 
I saw a young woman today, her father committed suicide a few months ago. She is intellectually delayed and is confused, he kissed her on the forehead, said goodbye buddy, drove away and killed himself. Her church is not sure what to do. The family is struggling to keep it together. She wants to know if he's in heaven. He appears in her dreams, so I suggested she ask him where he's at the next time he shows up in a dream. She seemed to find comfort in that. She reminded me of some of our siblings, smiling and giggling inappropriately while telling a horrendous tale. She came in because she just wants to talk to someone. Where is her community? Who is responsible for helping her work through this pain? Why do humans disappear when we are needed the most, when we have a wonderful opportunity for connection?

I am glad that you are connecting with your son and his family. Healing the past is always good, even if the pain was unintentional. The healing will go both ways…you will g=benefit as much as they will- it's a beautiful, reciprocity.

I love you,
Wishing you Love and Light,
Maggie