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From an email I got today...
Jul. 6th, 2007 05:56 pmOne of the greatest gifts we can give another human being is to act as
their guardian. Whether this gift is related to a specific situation or
is representative of an ongoing commitment, we each benefit from the
association. To protect someone is to walk with them in challenging
times and see them through safely to the other side. In doing this, we grow
with them. And those under our guardianship derive confidence from our
support and assistance, enabling them to persevere through almost any
conditions.
There are many reasons we feel inspired to serve as guardians to those
we care for. Sometimes just holding the space for somebody allows them
to do what is necessary to grow or heal. We may simply want to see that
our friend or loved one is taken care of and equipped to prevail over
difficult circumstances. We may also sense that we are in possession of
knowledge our loved ones are lacking yet need in their current stage
of development. Our offer to serve as a guardian may also be both
unsolicited and unrelated to any one situation. Instead of helping someone we
care about cope with a specific challenge, we may find ourselves
providing them with a more general form of emotional sustenance that
prepares and strengthens them for challenges yet to come.
Our ability to empathize with those under our guardianship is our
greatest asset because our comprehension of their needs allows us to
determine how we can best serve them. Even when this comprehension is limited,
however, the loving intentions with which we enter into our role as
guardian ensure that our care and protection help others grow as
individuals while living their lives with grace.
~DailyOM
their guardian. Whether this gift is related to a specific situation or
is representative of an ongoing commitment, we each benefit from the
association. To protect someone is to walk with them in challenging
times and see them through safely to the other side. In doing this, we grow
with them. And those under our guardianship derive confidence from our
support and assistance, enabling them to persevere through almost any
conditions.
There are many reasons we feel inspired to serve as guardians to those
we care for. Sometimes just holding the space for somebody allows them
to do what is necessary to grow or heal. We may simply want to see that
our friend or loved one is taken care of and equipped to prevail over
difficult circumstances. We may also sense that we are in possession of
knowledge our loved ones are lacking yet need in their current stage
of development. Our offer to serve as a guardian may also be both
unsolicited and unrelated to any one situation. Instead of helping someone we
care about cope with a specific challenge, we may find ourselves
providing them with a more general form of emotional sustenance that
prepares and strengthens them for challenges yet to come.
Our ability to empathize with those under our guardianship is our
greatest asset because our comprehension of their needs allows us to
determine how we can best serve them. Even when this comprehension is limited,
however, the loving intentions with which we enter into our role as
guardian ensure that our care and protection help others grow as
individuals while living their lives with grace.
~DailyOM
