Image by Aimee Valentine from Pixabay
Keeping My Light On
by Susin Bredice, MSW, University of Iowa, Therapist at New Beginnings Counseling, Urbandale, Iowa
To hold space for the pain of all those who sit in my space. Those strong enough, brave enough to share their pain and vulnerability and scars. To invite that pain into my space and let it not be my space anymore. To let it become their space for their healing. To be patient and to let them control the timeline for their healing, knowing that I cannot fix anything. To want so desperately to say the right thing, to reach down and pull someone from the pits of their despair. Instead to sit in their darkness with them and to try to keep my light on without letting my light interfere. To feel so responsible with no real power. To carry that burden home but keep it from darkening my world. To patiently watch insight develop. To invite others to be present, to hold hope, to have self compassion and heal. To witness someone experience this before my eyes. To celebrate progress and hold space for joy and relief. To attune and to help someone else feel connected. To know that regardless of where someone has been they made it to my office today because they believe in better.