There was a time in my life when I was going through a very difficult situation. I was neither the first nor the last person to face a heavy burden, but it was the first time I confronted it head-on, without trying to avoid it.
For some reason, perhaps cultural, I had never seen anyone ask for help with personal or emotional issues. I had indirectly assumed that everyone was responsible for their own situation and had to resolve it themselves. Seeking mental health support wasn’t common in my social circle; the prevailing assumption was that if someone asked for help, it meant “something was wrong.”
In other words, asking for help wasn’t natural to me. When I did reach out, it was usually because I was on the verge of exploding from overwhelm. At that time, my plea for help was hesitant and uncertain; because I kept everything bottled up, I felt like I was drowning in a glass of water.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered the blessing of having a safe space to express my interior, and learned to choose the right person to share with in a way that was respectful, confidential, safe, and loving. Furthermore, doing this consistently, as part of my ongoing journey rather than just in a state of internal emergency, made a huge difference.
For me, learning to trust was a major challenge. My thoughts were loud, constantly telling me I might be overreacting or that I shouldn’t “bother” anyone.
In the end, I gave myself a chance, took on the challenge, and sought out a spiritual director.
Little by little, month by month, I lower my guard.
Later on, I took the next step and sought out a therapist.
Each of these individuals helped me from a different perspective. My spiritual director helped me with my personal relationship with God, while my therapist helped me to address my thoughts and subconscious areas.
I learned, within the right context, how to share the deepest parts of my life. And that nourished my soul.
Scripture and Eucharistic celebrations present Jesus to us as the Living Bread, bread that we are invited not only to eat but to share. Jesus shared His life, nourishing our very being. We are invited to share what gives us life, what nourishes us.
What gives you life, beyond just good food? What nourishes your interior?
It didn’t happen overnight, but as time went on, I realized I felt better for having shared my life.
Sharing my life, nourished my interior.
My spiritual director and my therapist knew not only how to listen to me but also how to guide me to pay attention to my inner self, directing it toward love. Listening to them nourished my interior.
And you—have you ever experienced being listened to without being judged?
The impact of that spiritual accompaniment on me was so profound that I wanted to learn how to offer that same guidance to others. And in doing so, I have found it to be a reciprocal experience.
And you—do you share your life?
When someone wants to share with you, do you receive their sharing?
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the Carpenter what gives you life and nourishes you. And perhaps you will discover that listening to one another can nourish our very being.
Marisol
P.S.: We can hear about Jesus as the Living Bread in the readings for Corpus Christi, Year A.
