It’s easy to highlight ways of dealing with things but not so easy to put them into practice to do so requires friendship, support and courage. Throughout my professional life and work I have noticed that,when a person has a really good support network, and or a very special friend that person can summon up the courage to tackle their problems with more courage and confidence.
It is, of course the case that without such a support network a person really should not be engaged in therapy, as bringing up traumatic material can often make one worse before they begin to recover. However my remit in this blog is to speak in more general terms regarding individuals need for friendship and courage.
In the chaotic world we are living in, it is important to state that a parallel process is in action throughout our living and within us, In simple terms the state of our world and lack of stable institutions unsettles and at times even overwhelms us. It seems important that in such times we need to secure and maintain our friendships for ourselves and one another..
Quality relationships are really important even in professional contexts. Just this weekend a dear friend’s husband was very ill and did not want to go into hospital, which was vital f.or his care and survival. A young doctor came out to his home, unheard of in today’s environment, sat down on the floor beside him and spent time encouraging him, as he examined him. The result was he went into hospital and received treatment.
In a comparatively short period of time the positive listening and caring relationship demonstrated in this story awakened the fearful man’s courage, and with support from his family he went in for treatment.
Compassionate caring and listening within human beings relationships is not surpassed by all the claptrap we surround ourselves with, we are made for relationships, and ironically it is such a relationship that allows us to begin our treatment with courage.
During the past years we have had restricted use of normal things, even how we use our hands, and how we greet others causing a range of difficulties that we now must overcome, but do not forget that in the midst of it all friends remained faithful finding ways of keeping in touch some of which were both funny and creative.
So if you come across this blog reflect on friendship as a first step to healing, connect with your supports and encourage others to do the same. Help me say the man in his desperation he was helped and then saw ways to help others.
COME ON TAKE MY HAND USE THE EXPERIENCE TO GIVE YOUR HANDS TO ANOTHER.
aoibheann thoughtful reflections 