7. They Can’ t Be Strong for Others When They’ re Hurting.
Be A Listening Heart
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7. They Can’ t Be Strong for Others When They’ re Hurting.
Many of us were taught as children to“ be strong” for others, but this expectation isn’ t realistic. Being“ strong” often implies that showing vulnerability is weak, which is far from the truth. Grief is a natural response to any loss or significant change in our lives. Sharing our feelings fosters healing rather than suffering in silence.
•“ I know you’ re used to being there for others, but right now I encourage you to nurture yourself. You deserve your love and attention.”
You might be wondering …
“ What CAN I do when someone I love is hurting?”
Be A Listening Heart
When someone you love is hurting, the most meaningful gift you can offer is to be a listening heart. Hold space without:
• Judgment
• Criticism
• Comparison
• Unsolicited advice
Too often, people hesitate to share their pain because they fear being met with unhelpful comments or advice. When this happens, we tend to shut down, isolate, and push down our pain even further.
Remember to never compare your loved ones’ loss with your own. We are all unique, as are our relationships. Because of this, we cannot truly know how another individual feels, at best, we know how we felt going through similar situations. When we compare someone’ s pain to our own or offer statements like“ I know how you feel,” we unintentionally diminish their experience. Instead, I encourage you to say:
•“ I can’ t imagine how you feel, but I’ m here to listen and support you.”
It’ s hard to see those we love in pain— it can even trigger our own emotional wounds. But each of us walks a unique path while the universe offers support through the people and resources that appear by our side.
By holding space and being a listening heart, we remind others they’ re not alone. A simple question like,“ How can I best support you right now?” can be a lifeline for someone in pain.
With our loving hearts, we can support those we care about through their darkest moments and help them find their way back to the light.
DAWN MICHELE JACKSON – Driven by a profound mission, Dawn Michele Jackson is dedicated to helping individuals uncover their inner light and make the profound shift from surviving to thriving. Through her work with clients, she skillfully supports them in healing their hearts and achieving holistic wellness of mind, body, and spirit. With her nurturing approach, she assists individuals in unlocking their potential for growth and rediscovering joy. Download your free guide, 5 Principles of Emotional First Aid for the Overcommitted Woman and learn more about Dawn at www. dawnmichelejackson. com.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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