"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again." Stephen Grellet
No matter what I do today, I know I have done enough. Taking the time to listen with patience, compassion and love, I gave a beautiful woman space to share the pain she is working through. Her eyes told the story of struggle and while her words traced back to success in the past, she couldn't help but speak of the current disappointments. I offered no advice; no direction; just a calm, safe place to bear witness. In the end, after a long hug I extended an invitation to listen whenever the pain of coping was too much. It's the best I could do in the moment and the best I may ever be able to do for her.
The quote above was shared with me many years ago by a dear grandmother at her 100th birthday party. It feels especially true today. It's the reason I lead the Women's Wisdom Retreats. It's the reason I strive to find the right balance of learning and loving for every woman brave enough to embark on the journey of self-reflection. I may only get one chance and that lands harshly with me whenever I slip into 'what if?
There is always more I could have said; things I could have done differently; ways I could have self-managed; times I could have listened instead of taught; times I could have confronted instead of shying away.
In the end, I know that I did my best in that moment and if that's all I got, I hope I am remembered as being kind.
No matter what I do today, I know I have done enough. Taking the time to listen with patience, compassion and love, I gave a beautiful woman space to share the pain she is working through. Her eyes told the story of struggle and while her words traced back to success in the past, she couldn't help but speak of the current disappointments. I offered no advice; no direction; just a calm, safe place to bear witness. In the end, after a long hug I extended an invitation to listen whenever the pain of coping was too much. It's the best I could do in the moment and the best I may ever be able to do for her.
The quote above was shared with me many years ago by a dear grandmother at her 100th birthday party. It feels especially true today. It's the reason I lead the Women's Wisdom Retreats. It's the reason I strive to find the right balance of learning and loving for every woman brave enough to embark on the journey of self-reflection. I may only get one chance and that lands harshly with me whenever I slip into 'what if?
There is always more I could have said; things I could have done differently; ways I could have self-managed; times I could have listened instead of taught; times I could have confronted instead of shying away.
In the end, I know that I did my best in that moment and if that's all I got, I hope I am remembered as being kind.
