This past Summer my six-year-old got very sick. He ended up needing to be in the hospital for a week. It was scary, and hard, and completely turned our lives upside down.
Honestly, I avoid hospitals. I avoid suffering and watching other people suffer. But, this experience forced me to confront my fear. I met other families who were dealing with very serious health challenges and I gained a great deal of compassion for them. After a few days, I softened and began to really appreciate the Doctors and Nurses who bravely confronted suffering every day and sought to ease it in whatever way they could. I also found that people in hospitals are much more sensitive, gentler, kinder. At the end of the hospital stay I had grown to have such a heart for the sick and for those caring for them. I found that even though I hadn’t wanted to face my fear, in being forced to I had confronted something in myself and grown.
It is human nature to avoid struggle. We all do it in many ways. We tune out, rather than lean in. Gratitude for the struggle often comes after reflection. Today I am grateful for many struggles in my life. They have helped me to face my fears and to strengthen my humanity and compassion for others.
In the book, “The Heartfullness Way” By: Kamlesh D. Patel, he writes, “We must always be willing to change. We must be ready to go to the next step, whatever it may be. Then, having reached that step we must be prepared and flexible enough to go even further.” For myself, I recognize that it is not merely the struggle, but moving to gratitude for the struggle that allows me to move further from selfishness toward selflessness.
In this beautiful Season of Thanksgiving my hope is that we can all reflect not only on our blessings, but also on our suffering. With grateful, open hearts we will all move closer to selflessness. And, if you are in the midst of suffering, my greatest hope is that our hearts would be open to you. That you would feel loved and accepted right where you are. We are all doing the best that we can. So, wherever you are today, take heart, you are not alone.
All my love~Erin
Your heart on display! Erin! You are an incredible woman. I’ve known that – that’s why I can call you friend. But to see your words express your hearts desires to reach out and comfort someone else after you have comforted your self for many many months…brave and selfless and powerful. Xoxo
I am so grateful for you and your wisdom.