The email hit me on my blind side. It was not as if the content was new. I have heard it before. I could even imagine the sender saying the words to my face. The difference as I read this email was the reaction deep within me. I was, am numb. If I was to try and describe my reaction in a single sentence it would be as follows; “I don’t hear a word they say, don’t speak a word in response.” (Psalm 38.14)
Initially I thought I was alone. Several recent conversations have left me with a renewed awareness that there is a growing sense of numbness that permeates the lives of individuals everywhere. The harsh reality is that life is overwhelming. It starts with too much data, information, and images flooding every part of our lives. We want to shut it out but we do not know how. It continues with the unpredictable certainty that pain and fear will strike us. We may not know how. There may be no rationale to the why. The one certainty is that Life’s dark side will touched us. Even the people and institutions we trust the most will fail us, intentionally or otherwise.
There are two truths that I am holding onto. Help is here. Others are willing to be part of our lives, lighting us up, comforting, and encouraging. We may not see the offer. We may not understand why. Knowing that help is available is an act of faith. When we accept the fact and open our hearts up to the other, divinity’s reach will be felt through the messengers in our lives.
We can make a difference. One healing treatment for our numbness is to reach out in compassion to others. Doing and saying the right things gives birth to Hope. Acts of compassion matter – especially to the healing process with our hearts and minds.
I start today with the awareness that the places in my life where I have allowed others to help are alive. Heart and soul healing is a choice.
