“When you are inspired by some great purpose… dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” –Patanjali
It seems at times that the world we are currently living in has become, well–unkind. I won’t dwell on the many events we’ve been bombarded with on a day to day basis. My work as a therapist has been as important to me, as I hope it has been to the many clients I’ve worked with over the last 16 years. I love my work. I have loved each and every one of my clients.
To be able to sit with and compassionately watch the struggles of so many people has had the wonderful effect of softening my heart. I have listened to so many stories of pain, heartbreak, violence, struggle, and abuse. I have done all I could do to lighten the load of pain that folks have carried, and tried to interject into their lives a sense of purpose and self-worth. When folks begin to feel a sense of purpose, they can, from there, start to feel a sense of self-love that I try to foster, and encourage with all my heart.
It is easy to feel small, I felt small for a great part of my life, due to the outside influences of racism, sexism and size-ism. Over time, and through my meditation practice, I had to first be able to sit with myself, to be with all that I am, my foibles, failings and mistakes, yet, always holding within me the awareness that I could still be of value to the world around me. From this place of being valuable, I could bring all that I am to the table of life so that I and others might feel ful-filled. I am not starved, and I have all that I need, when I am giving from the abundance of all that I have been given.
When I speak of what I have been given, I am not speaking of material possessions, but of the training and skills I received in my Masters program, as well as all the experiences I’ve had in my life that like the fire of the forge have shaped me into who I am.
It is this I am joyful to bring to life. This is what fearlessness has meant to me, and to those I work with. I can help others because there is nothing to fear, except ones inability to enter fully into life, and to hold back that which is of such great, great value.
A short time ago, I was with an old friend who surprised me by asking for a copy of my book, because she is inspired by me, and needed to feel my strength. I have pondered this and realized how honored I am that she shared this with me, as I feel humbled by the many life forces that have touched me and given me chances to grow and become. This is not to say that my life has been one of beauty and ease, for I have witnessed much that is ugly, much that is harsh, and downright painful. Yes, there has been beauty, but it has been the difficult events, situations and people that have tempered me. That, and a great deal of laughter, tears, and endless deep breaths.
I don’t want to move into preaching, I simply wish and hope that there would be some way that our world would shift, and be able to start living in kind, strengthening ways with each other. To tear others down, and to dispel what they most need is the deepest tragedy our world has going on. It has to stop.
So, thank you Joyce for sharing with me how I have inspired you, I am grateful to know that all has been for reason, and that even if I were to pass from this life today, I would leave knowing that my purpose in being was in some small way fulfilled. It enlivens me to know that this is what I can offer. I sincerely hope that each and every being finds their purpose, calling, and strength. Blessings to you all…