In the recent best seller Daring Greatly, Brene’ Brown quotes Pema Chodron, “…Compassion is… a relationship between equals… Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity…”
Let’s focus on this phrase: shared humanity. We are all human, which means that we get up on the wrong side of the bed occasionally, we have lost loved ones, we don’t always get our way, and we even argue with the ones that we love the most. What I like most about this quote is that it highlights a need to recognize that we need each other. When we get tired of trying to make it on our own, we are able to see that we all are in need of connection, community, and shared experiences. It is helpful to know that others have experienced similar losses, fears, and even successes.
To help you better connect with your support network, here is a list of suggestions for starting conversations:
1) Ask them to share with you:
- How did they find support?
- Who did they turn to in their time of need?
- When is the best time of day for them to share their story?
- What was most helpful in their healing process?
2) Begin to share your story with them:
- Find one or two friends or family members to share your story.
- Open up with people who have been supportive in the past.
- Remember that you are not alone and that other people struggle too.
Adam R Glendye MA MFT, LAPC
aglendye@ GROWcounseling.com