Balance

Balance-an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.

“Healing yourself is connected with healing others.”

Yoko Ono

This past month I witnessed a friend lose her beautiful dog, another friend come face-to-face with cancer and a mastectomy, a young man with addiction, in the criminal system, express defeat in relapse and another client who felt such incredible loneliness, the kind that left me with no words, just an expression of understanding. I visited my parents who have been ill and struggling with aging, and have struggled with my own body screaming and fighting with me. I have also felt loved and understood by friends and family, been appreciated and thanked by clients who are in deep pain, and gave myself some much needed rest….balance…..

Our lives intersect with so many people (and animals). People who are hurting just like us and people who are capable of incredible love….just like us. At times we can feel such aloneness and distance from other humans and other times such connection, it brings us to tears. There was a time in my life where my emotions were so exhausting, so utterly, I thought, uncontrollable. Now, I am grateful that, in one day, I can feel so much yet still find my sanctuary, my center, at the end of it, and know who to reach to when I cannot quite get there on my own.

What do you search for in others to feel connected, accepted or understood? How do you achieve balance in your life?