Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The beauty of being held



I have been meaning to write about this for awhile now but for some reason, I’ve never gotten around to giving it the attention in my blog that it deserves.

Last year, my practicum for school was at a social service organization that provides bereavement support for people who have lost someone close to them. I remember when I first got the placement I immediately wondered what I was meant to learn from this experience.

I’ve learned many things from this experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Despite learning how I could do my job better, it was also a true experience of awakening that occurred on so many different levels. It was truly a magical experience filled with tons of A-Ha! Moments at every turn along the way.

But one of the most important things that I learned is what real relationships are. They should be based on mutual support of each other- no one person is burdened by the problems of the other and both people are equally held in their moment, whatever that may be. Along with this comes the idea of telling your story and being open about what you are feeling, without judgment or feeling uncomfortable.

Being held in your moment is such a beautiful experience because you are being accepted just the way you are, faults and all. For me, this is what love is- being held by another person when you are truly and authentically you.

Recently, I have had the chance to be held like this and I am grateful for having these people in my life. It is a beautiful acceptance of my humanity and ultimately, who I am as a person.

And now, I have to quote Michael Jackson’s song Will You Be There? It’s unfortunate because I knew just how brilliant he was as an artist but it was only after his death, and my own life experiences that I could truly appreciate the depth of his music.

In the song Michael sings:

Hold me, like the river Jordan, and I will then say to thee you are my friend. Carry me, like you are my brother, love me like a mother, will you be there?

Light and love,

S