Hello - I’m Listening
You are my human panic room.
It is a card I received from a friend. I was deeply touched. Over the years I have received many lovely cards from friends extoling my virtues and kindnesses, but nothing hit me quite as much as being seen as someone’s human panic room.
I own the title proudly. I have been the human panic room for many, and I continue to do so. It is something that is very high in my values and life goals. To be seen as the person they can call anytime of the day or night, and I will listen. I have talked people in off the ledge all over the United States and from France, Sweden, China, Singapore, Ireland and a few more. Perhaps I attract people with anxiety issues, but I think it is more that we all need a safe place. A voice on the end of a phone. An empathetic ear.
I like to think that I am the option line. Someone who will listen (with as little judgement as possible – no one is judgement free), put aside their opinion and try to walk the person on the phone through whatever the storm may be. My mother once told me that if you can give someone in a panic options to their dilemma, it helps them calm down and usually resolves the issue because they can see a bit more clearly. As I have tried out this advice out over the years, it has proven true.
Perhaps we need to open up a few more human panic rooms around the world. Point out the options. Just listen and help humanity to breathe a little easier.
After writing this yesterday, I picked up my first book “We Are All In This Alone” and opened to the following meditation. It seemed a companion to my thoughts for the week. Enjoy.
SOLUTIONS
Life is a series of solutions,
not problems.
If you can begin to see your life as this you will find greater freedom and much more happiness. Rather than a life full of problems or crisis or upheaval, you can now look at each situation as an opportunity to find the solution. Finding the solution makes you powerful, it makes you in charge, it makes you in action. It brings relief and joy and expansion as you solve the situation and realize that there is resolution.
Most of you spend your days thinking about the problem NOT the solution. View it as a puzzle or game or challenge that says “How do I turn this around?” How do I solve this mystery or challenge placed before me?”
Which feels better to say:
“I have a problem!”
OR
“I have a solution!”
Solutions take time and energy but it is a more positive force because you are being active and you are not at the effect of the problem. You are the solver, you are not the problem. The next time at work or life when you are dealt a challenge do not be stopped by it, but rather think instantly….How do I solve this one? Do not take it on as a burden that YOU MUST solve it, but rather look at what the solution could be. Let go of the cost or the convenience or all the other things you have in the way of solutions and just solve it. Do not judge the solution, do not fret about the solution, do not worry that you can’t afford it or they won’t want to do that or any of the other myriad of things that come to your conscious mind. Solve it and then put your solution into practice. We guarantee you will find freedom in this approach.
We leave in love.
Namaste
