Empathy is not taking on someone else’s pain; it’s recognising and acknowledging someone else’s pain by being brave enough to revisit your own.

At the moment I am really enjoying the idea of being a witness to difficult emotions. I think the word ‘witness’ is a really helpful frame for us as we think about how to interact with uncomfortable emotions such as sadness, anger, fear or despair.

What if all people were consistently and persistently GIVEN personal power, regardless of their age, stage, mental or physical health, gender, race or social status - ESPECIALLY when they are in need of help? What would this look like?

No fixing or solving, just stopping and seeing and leaning in. Flooding their systems with the assurance that they are not alone.

How might the struggle change or shift if our to answer to complaining is: “I see you, I hear you. Take my hand. We’re in this together now”?

If kids aren't trained, guided and allowed to feel their feelings they will still experience the same distress and exhibit the same behaviours (probably escalated even further), they just won't be able to tell you what's going on. They will feel all of it confused and ALONE. Please let's not leave our kids alone in pain.