“The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed — to be seen, heard and companioned exactly as it is.” –Parker J. Palmer
How often do we resist companioning ourselves (and others) when the “less-desired” emotions and realities are being experienced?
- Until I had cancer, I was a “bright-sider.” My default was to do whatever I could to uplift people who were struggling, to offer resources and try to “make them feel better.”
- My training as a hospice caregiver (after my cancer was in remission) provided me with opportunities to come alongside people who were suffering, and to simply hold space with them; to be a witness (instead of a fixer). ♥
- It has only been during the past 3-5ish years that I have been able to be in grace and hold space with my own suffering (without the urge to “try harder” or self-rejection).
- Resisting my default habit of minimizing my challenges — while also moving away from subjecting myself to the double whammy of “bright-siding” the pain inflicted by life-realities and ignoring the pain related to estranged relationships.
- And then of course, there is the avoidance tactic of excessive worry and by avoiding whatever I am feeling by distracting myself and/or the avoidance tactic of excessive worry … ♥
My right brain planning practice is one of the ways I companion myself.
- My journal-planners are a means of holding space and processing what I am experiencing; space to resist acts of self-attack and unfair judgements.
- Moving through (and beyond) actions that can include telling myself to “try harder,” or becoming entangled in believing I should/could have done something different.
- That somehow there was some option that would have resulted in a easier outcome.
- Moving through (and beyond) actions that can include telling myself to “try harder,” or becoming entangled in believing I should/could have done something different.
- Recognizing unrest and responding by companioning ourselves (and others) includes being in touch with our needs and feelings.
- There is a content section in the Right Brain Planner® 2023 Kit that focuses on needs and feelings.
- I included this section as a bonus download (and in booklet format) for my Ko-fi patrons in May, and this content will also be included in the downloads for July and August.
Braveheart, I share quotations here as a point of inspiration, but also as a notation and mile marker regarding my own journey.
Finding (and having) language to express and understand ourselves provides comfort along with a new lens, allowing us to see new perspectives.
Thank you kindly for your presence here.
I appreciate your interest and support.
~love & good wishes~
There is no substitute for observation + trial and error experimenting with what works for you as a right brain planner.
- This site, and the concept of right brain planning, is not about how-to’s — merely ideas and prompts provided for your interpretation, Braveheart.