The web of life – a beautiful, intricate tapestry of
connection, that is what I picture when I hear this term. Sometimes, however,
being immersed in the web of life can feel more like wrestling around in a
spider’s web. You know what I mean?
Things get sticky, messy, hard to find your way out of. Relationships can be like that – and it’s
easy, especially if you’re the empathetic sort, to get stuck in the tangle.
To feel that you have to fix someone’s problems.
To feel driven to come to the rescue.
To take it on, so that you leave the encounter weighted down
with the burden.
To feel responsible.
It happens without you even realizing it, until you take a
moment to check in and realize you have lost connection with your own peace,
your own center.
That awareness is the beginning of letting go… of that which
is not ours to carry.
A deep breath. The realization that we are all on our own
soul journeys. As much as I love and adore this family member, or this friend,
no matter how close we are, their story is not my story.
So what is mine to do?
What is in front of me, what I can gladly offer from my heart? My
presence, time, energy, highest thinking, compassion, listening. A helping
hand. A knowing, that right where they are, Spirit is.
What is mine not to do?
Give advice (unless asked), judge, take on, resolve, rescue, feel sorry
for.
It took me many years to learn this lesson. The hard way.
So, I offer this as a reminder to myself, and to you too, if you should find
yourself caught in a tangled web.
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