A young woman contacted me the other day.

She’d been experiencing what she described as an ‘unexpected life challenge’, and wanted to take a moment to express her gratitude. Something I said, it seems, found its way to her heart ~ compelling her to release a little pain.

Perhaps it was something in the words that she shared, a subtle energy – drawing me nearer. I asked if she might like to chat, and willingly provided my number. Within a few minutes, the phone rang ~ on the other end, a beautiful – though very broken – human soul.

We talked for hours, until nearly 3 in the morning ~ when she finally revealed the source of her pain.

“Her little hands were so cold,” she shared through her tears. She then went on to describe how she moved a small heater from the garage into her infant daughter’s room, never knowing the fault within the wiring. In the midst of the night, she was pulled from her bed. Within minutes, the house was consumed by fire.

“They couldn’t get to her,” she cried. “She was only 9 weeks old.”

For the next 6 years, she clung desperately to her pain – as if to offer penance for that which she believed to be unforgivable.

As a result, she never once shared her pain.

Can you imagine carrying this burden for that number of years? To never once find relief?

“You must be tired,” I asked – they were the only words I could find.

“Yes,” she whispered “so tired.”

I can’t begin to tell you how many messages I’ve received, nor the number of calls in the middle of the night. All from beautiful souls experiencing a crippling life pain; each with a magnificent story to share.

And, within each story, there is immeasurable wisdom. Within their hearts, the capacity for grace.

My darlings, how ironic each day you offer gratitude for my words – never knowing, that it is through you that I find my own heart-inspiration.

And though we may experience incredible hardship in our lives, through our connection we may find relief from that pain.

We are not intended to go through this life on our own, my loves. We are intended to walk together, as one.

This is my ‘religion’.

This is my purpose.

And, this is my belief.

Yesterday, I received devastating medical news ~ a change in the capacity of my body to function as it should. I had allowed myself a short while to grieve, knowing full well those who love me would certainly understand.

But for the grace of this young woman’s heart, I may have allowed my own to shelter inward. I may have chosen to carry this weight alone.

Surprising things happen when we allow others into our world. What was once a crippling pain can become great insight for another.

Likewise, lifelong bonds may forged from the slivered shards of our own broken hearts.

This is why we need one another, my loves.

To be a light when hope is felt to be lost; to offer strength where there is perceived to be none.

And so, to each of you, I offer my heart in service; knowing your happiness alone is what brings me joy.

A good portion of my life was spent wasted in worry; worried about what others may have thought or done to me. The blessing of my illness is that it has shared with me a divine understanding – that my care should be placed in what I might do for others.

“We are not intended to go through this life on our own, my loves. We are intended to walk together, as one.”

Namaste ❤️