Two Sides of a Coin, Powerlessness and Empowered
Moving into being powerless over the choices another is making with their one wild and precious life, opens a door into where I can move into empowerment.
If I am conversing with another and everything that is said feels as if it’s hitting a rubber wall, nothing is landing, not even sticking for a brief moment, there’s always a choice to be made.
In early chaplaincy, Linc, my supervisor, taught us about this dynamic. If there is not even a pause, a slight entry, he reminded us that it was perfectly okay to gently try to wiggle in.
However, there are situations where what is most beneficial is to remain a silent witness, a holder of the space.
“Deep listening is an act of surrender. We risk being changed by what we hear. The most critical part of listening is asking what is at stake for the other person. I try to understand what matters to them, not what I think matters.” ~ Valerie Kaur
Yet, when one is on a speeding train heading towards all the ‘what ifs’ we may choose to interject. Is this your reality now? Who is speaking now, is it fear? Is your mind in safety mode trying to offer all the situations that might happen to prepare you? For what?
A slight pivot here offering another side to this coin.
I have been discovering that one’s spiritual growth and evolution carries on after we have dropped our bodies. Our curriculum continues, and my son skipped several ladder rungs recently.
He played an integral part in assisting a young man we will call Alexander. Assisting him while he made a significant course change, a choice. Seeking medical health care professionals with his mental well being, rather than remaining within a familiar loop he had been swirling within.
Douglas showed me how he was invited to sit at a table joining Alexander’s spiritual team. Those who love and understand every aspect of him, and are brilliant with these sorts of life changing opportunities. Douglas being well versed in how to converse with another using language they understand was warmly welcomed into the fold.
The privilege of witnessing Alexander move away from denial, hopelessness and fear to a place where he could safely pivot. A choice that was his involving trained professionals, a healing community including others dealing with similar issues. Immediately noticing how different he felt not being isolated within his ‘ism’ yet surrounded by those who could truly see him.
Life lessons which are not fully grasped while earth side, we will be granted another go around with them in the spiritual realm. Observing and fully absorbing all of the choices that were ours. Some acted upon or not.
For Douglas, this is a victory over a disease he was unable to tame while living in his body. Revealing what is possible and allowing him to become an active participant within it.
All presented lovingly, no shame, blame, judgment. Endless possibilities.
Simply another way.
Perhaps this is what we are each called to daily? Is there another route I could turn towards? Where are my helpers? Hearts with ears? A community to which I do belong?
It is such a supreme honor and deeply humbling to know that Douglas is experiencing this first hand now. His deeply passionate and helping presence IS assisting. A positive outcome he is over the moon about.
We all are.
Before my session with my mentor Douglas had been doing back flips in excitement to share. He had to wait, never one of his favorites as I had something else that needed our attention first. However, we gave him his time, and what celebratory one it was.
All things are possible. The spirit world is ever present. Waiting for us to tap in, to ask and to trust.
*My gratititude for your presence here. If you are enjoying the content, clicking on the heart at the bottom of the page assists me in getting this out into the ethers. Also, I invite comments as they are engaging, assisting our community, and please pass this along to someone you are thinking it may resonate with.
Working with you—and Douglas, your energetic spiritual coordinator—has taught me so much about my point of power. I’ve also learned the power in surrendering, which flies in the face of the cultural lessons I grew up learning, reciting and perpetuating like a “good little pupil.” Thank you, Mrs. Madsen, for another brilliant workshop in your Earth School series! 🍎 ⚡️
Oh my goodness Joanie, it never ceaces to amaze me how your words, your presence, and your love tend to show up just when I need them the most.
I had to read this twice. There is so much to unpack and so much of it landed deeply in the center of my heart.
Douglas is SUCH a gift, I will forever cherish and it sounds as though Alexander would understand and agree.
Thank you for always bringing your light, your love and the very first example of a "heart with ears" that swooped in and saved my life. It is now a goal of mine whenever someone is talking to me, I try to hold the space, and b…
Such a beautiful share- thank you Joanie! I could feel Douglas beaming with joy as I read this. He’s still in celebration mode!
Both him and Alexander are so blessed to share this spiritual connection. What a gift for everyone! I especially love your reflection of how we can tune in each day and ask where are my helpers, and is there another way, or route? I know those reflections have helped me tremendously! 💗
And what a gift for Alexander, also! This is diamond beautiful, so many facets, so much depth, and so reassuring in so many ways! I love it! Thank you for sharing this. I'm thrilled for Douglas, he's my hero, and thrilled for you, Alexander, and for me. This story brings me so much hope. And peace.
How lovely to see the familiar Buckinghamshire countryside…and that beautiful feather, good find Romey ❤️.
Love how you show that we can tap into wisdom whenever our time has come…on this earth, and beyond. It’s such a reassuring thing to witness how Douglas has such a strong presence and the wonderful work you do together now, Joanie ❤️❤️❤️