Layla The Malamute meeting me where I was. She and I, in that moment, have a meaningful relationship.
If you’re truly committed to developing meaningful relationships of all kinds in your life, then read on.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I spent much of the summer hosting a free teleseminar series called, “The Awakening of Love.” If you’re not a regular reader of this blog, I invite you to check it out. I’m keeping the access page to the teleseminar series on this website for the time being; click on “The Awakening of Love” button on this website for full access. I was honored to host many thought leaders riffing on variations of this theme. The series ended in early August, but the theme goes on. Not only were we awakened to love, we learned that, contrary to popular belief, what we think is love isn’t always enough to create, build, and nourish meaningful relationships.
You’re about to meet my beautiful and courageous friend Jenna. Her story, to me, is a wonderful example of a meaningful relationship.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. During my years of caring for my mother and visiting my aunt, both of whom lived out their final years with dementia, I learned that meaningful relationships with them both, as well as with me and many of the residents of my mother’s memory care unit, were indeed possible. And if it was possible with them, it’s possible with you and the people in your life.
I know many who don’t experience meaningful relationships with their loved ones during their dementia years. Just because you haven’t done this in the past doesn’t mean you can’t do this now. It took me a long time to learn how to do this, but my present relationships are all the richer for my having learned this important lesson:
Meet people with naivete, even if you’ve been in each others’ lives for years, even if you think you already know them. Give people the gift of your compassionate presence. Give people the gift of fully witnessing where they are, of listening to their words or listening to their energy, without the distraction of thinking of ways to fix them. Meet people with an open heart exactly where they are: not necessarily exactly where you are or where you want them to be, not where you think they should be, not where they aren’t.
Is this a new concept for you? Are you wondering how to do this? It gets easier with practice. Just show up with an open heart, a commitment to be present with them in this now moment, and a willingness to partner.
If you’re not doing this, then let’s look at why that is. They deserve your best, just as you deserve their best. Why aren’t you giving them your best?
Chew on this Rumi quote for greater clarity: “Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment.”
Meet people where they are. When you do, meaningful relationship miracles are possible. When you don’t, meaningful relationships are impossible.
That’s my takeaway from Jenna’s story.
To Jenna, her story is a wonderful example of how the world can give you exactly what you want exactly when you need it.
Perhaps you’ll find even more meanings in her story. I hope you do.
I appreciate Jenna’s transparency and her willingness to help all of us by sharing. Thank you for your generous spirit, my friend.
I love you:
Hope you had a great adventure today. I’m glad you thought to write this in your blog. It makes me happy to share.
I’ve lived with panic disorder for three years. Most days I get through involve panic attacks that I have to hide from my peers whether I’m at work or in social situations. I can’t say it’s easy but I’ve adapted and learned for the most part how to live with it. There are some days where I’m depressed and exhausted and too afraid to face the world.
On September 11 at 5 in the morning while finishing my shift at work, I started to feel very confused and dizzy. Panic started to rear its ugly head once again, but this time I could not keep it down. I ran into the back and collapsed in the bathroom and cried and held myself hoping it would end. (They always end) However, this time it didn’t. The feeling lasted for an hour until the end of my shift, so I decided to punch out and walk a block from work where I could call an ambulance. I had the overwhelming need to ask for help and ask to be put to sleep as it all became to much. Something I’ve never done before.
The ambulance arrived a short five minutes later, and I was greeted by two paramedics. The first one came over to me and helped me into the van.
I felt embarrassed for calling 911 in this moment knowing how panic attacks in the eyes of most physicians aren’t seen as emergencies. I felt the same way until this particular morning.
The paramedic had very kind eyes and was fairly young, perhaps in his late 30s. He asked me my name, and I told him while feeling shaky and scared. I told him it was a little embarrassed at this point. He grabbed my hand as the other paramedic took my vitals and said “Don’t be embarrassed.” He asked me my age. “I’m 23, I’ll be 24 really soon.” He said “I know how you feel. When I was your age, I had panic attacks all the time. It was terrifying, and I could never sort out a rhyme or reason. But it gets better. You have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, because this is a scary age where nothing seems to make sense and you don’t know who you are, in a very scary world. But you will get better.”
And then I realized that crying out for help while in my most vulnerable state was exactly the medicine I needed. He stayed with me the whole way to the hospital and asked me if I’d like him to stay with me. I said no but thank you so much for talking to me. I could not stop crying, at first because of fear and embarrassment but then slowly it dawned on me that I was crying out of relief. For a total stranger to show such empathy and kindness when I needed it most. It made me feel that perhaps the world isn’t all so scary. Sometimes the world gives you exactly what you need when you need it.
Side note: I read this out loud to mum and started crying because it felt so good to tell the story. Thank you for the wonderful work you do for others. I hope this story helps other people.
Jenna, your story has inspired me. Thank you for the wonderful work you did here for others.
The following offer is directed at those who are ready to experience a higher level of relationship in all areas of their lives:
MAS SAJADY’S SPECIAL OFFER:
the registration link for the EI Meaningful Relationship Activation (below) is active as is the 50% discount code LOVE. Paste the following link into your browser:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebtodgtz9c8bdda2&oseq=&c=&ch
The Exponential Intelligence Meaningful Relationship Activation is an .mp3 that is yours to download, keep and listen to as often as you like. Many people like to play Mas’ recordings at low volume on a loop while they are doing other things (including sleeping). The Exponential Intelligence Meaningful Relationship Activation is available to our community at a 50% discount when you enter the word LOVE on the order form. This special offer is available until 10 October 2016.
Word of Caution: Some people may experience some “detox” symptoms after listening to Mas. And for some, the paradigm shift may be too great. Do not take part if you are not ready for rapid transformation in your life.
Copyright 2016 by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer. All rights for any further use reserved. For permission to repost or reuse the above only in its entirety, fill out this form: http://www.transformingthroughlove.com/contact/ The information presented at www.TransformingThroughLove.com and during coaching sessions is of a general nature and is not intended to be use as legal, medical or professional advice. None of the information on this website is intended as a substitute for the counsel of a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other trusted health professional. Always contact your own health care provider to assist you with your medical or health issues. The information presented here is only meant to support you while you are being cared for by your own health care provider during your life’s journey. It is not intended to be used as stand alone legal, medical or professional advice. We cannot and will not take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site as legal, medical, or professional advice. Always consult your physician or trusted health professional to design a treatment plan for your own or for another’s wellness. All the information on this website is intended solely as loving support intended to accompany traditional medical care, not as stand-alone advice. We appreciate your donations; please send a message via the contact form for donation instructions.If you like what you’re reading here, please forward this website to a friend: http://www.transformingthroughlove.com.
