The other day, I was speaking with a loved one over the phone and they told me about a situation in their life that wasn’t going well.  They are so dear to me that I listened and tried to offer words that could help move them out of the situation and on to returning to what I’d viewed as their happy life.

I hoped things would get better but the next time we spoke, a few days later, I learned that nothing had changed.  She was in pain.

The feeling of  helplessness and the pall that followed me in the days after was at times, overwhelming.

It’s easy to feel joy in the sweet moments of life, but how do we enjoy life when someone we love is hurting?

This is the time when we need our faith – wherever your inner strength lies, this is the time to reach for it and hold on.

For me, it is a faith in a higher, loving source – not a religious dogma that governs the way I live my life, but an inner knowing, an inner voice that is always present, always ready to help with guidance and wisdom.

Our minds are filled with noise.  Replays of conversations with others or encounters with people who were not kind.  We playout revenge scenarios or we mentally punish ourselves for things we said or did in the past.  With all of that going on, not to mention the To Do lists constantly running in the background, it’s almost impossible to hear our inner voice.  Our ever-present guide to wisdom that is there for the asking.

I walked around for a few days feeling hopeless and a bit angry with those who I felt were causing her pain.  I wanted to tell them how wrong they were being in this situation and I had more than a few mental conversations with them in my head.

Then, I sat in stillness and asked myself, “What can I do?”  I waited for the mental chatter to fall away and I asked again, “What can I do to help?”

Soon, my eyes popped open and I knew – I wrote a text message telling my loved one how much they are loved by me – how I am here for them and I will help them get through this in whatever way I can.  I sent images to them of beautiful pictures that I thought would calm them and bring them peace.  When I received her response, it was wonderful.  She was happy and thankful for my love and support.  It made me feel better and I released the tension I’d been holding for her.

Lastly, I know that we are all truly one – we are connected to each other and to the one true mind of God.  So, I once again sat in stillness and mentally sent my loved one a message of peace.  I asked angels to surround her and love and protect her and her family.

When someone you love is hurting, be there for them in ways that can help them feel better – and to know they are loved.

• Send a loving note by text message.
• Send a beautiful card to them in the mail with a message of hope.
• Send them blessings by thinking good thoughts about them.
• And, forgive those whom you believe are causing the grief.

We can’t know why things and situations happen to us or those we love in this life.  All we can know for sure is that it is their journey.  We cannot take the journey for them – just as no one can take it for us.

Know that we are never alone.  Our inner voice, our true self is always with us – always available to us.

With love,

Lisa