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Tag Archives: empathy

Is Chocolate or Compassion the Mission?

Touch Remedies Posted on June 2, 2022 by Dawn BennettJune 2, 2022

I thought I was going to the store to buy chocolate.  Instead, my mission was to help another person.

Divinely Inspired

Have you ever had a moment where you realized something higher was guiding you?  Maybe you called it coincidence, or “right place, right time.”  Maybe you heard one phrase that changed you or everything you believed about life.

I had a lovely dinner with my friend in Iowa tonight.  Even though I ate light, I ate a ton and was really full.  Therefore I was surprised by the strong urge to go to the grocery store.  I checked in with my body.  Nope, not craving anything. 

I decided I had just sat too much and what my body needed was a walk as the clouds reflected the sunset in a deep red hue.  Yet, I still navigated to the grocery store. 

The Shift

I stood staring at the chocolate, realizing nothing really sounded good (I know- what happened to me!!!)  

Suddenly, a woman started sobbing halfway down the isle.  Heart-breaking, life-ending kinds of sobs. You know, like the ones in the movies where patrons get brought to tears too?  Where your heart hurts just hearing the sound? 

I turned towards her, and watched as people pointedly ignored her. In fact, some walked past pretending they were SUPER interested in things on the shelf opposite her.  She lowered her phone from her ear and her head followed, finding a resting spot on the handle of her cart.  I’m sure she didn’t even notice the lack of curiosity, compassion, empathy, or humanity around her.

Choosing Compassion

She didn’t notice my approach, so I asked, “Are you okay?”  She kept sobbing, and I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder for whatever level of comfort and connection I could offer.  Finally, she brought her head up and shared that she just found out her best friend had died.  In broken English she told me that once, a long time ago, they were engaged.  She didn’t know the details yet as she couldn’t reach the family. 

I did what I do best- offered a hug.  She fell into my arms and sobbed for a while as I just supported and gave her all the love and healing I could channel through me. 

Deep Gratitude

When we parted, she thanked me profusely a few times.  I am the one who should thank her.  I learned a lot from that interaction.  Remembering a time when a stranger comforted me when I was sad in an airport in Ireland, I thought about the power of reaching out to a fellow human (whether we know them or not). Why don’t we?

Are we afraid they will get angry or that we will get caught listening to their ‘sob story’ for hours? Can we not be bothered to show a minute’s compassion for someone in pain? For our friends, do we just say, “Hey, call if you need anything. I’m here for you.” and walk away feeling as if we’ve done our part as we leave them the responsibility of reaching out when they are in the midst of emotional upheaval?

Perhaps instead we give them a short, “I’m sorry” on their facebook page and scroll on as if we’ve really made any difference.

Being Present

I was reassured that the book I wrote recently about how polarized and scared our society has become to communicate and interact was divinely inspired.  Chocolate wasn’t the reason of my journey tonight.  Most importantly, I was sent to the store to help a fellow human who needed a moment of understanding, of acceptance, and of unconditional love. Above all, I think we’ve lost our capacity to approach each other with curiosity and openness. Like this SNL skit, we are reactive instead of compassionate.

Don’t we all need compassion and connection?  Schedule a complimentary chat with me if you need some support.

With love,

Dawn

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Posted in Touch Remedies | Tagged community, compassion, connection, empathy, healing, healthy touch, relationships, touch remedies | Leave a reply

You Can’t Make This St*ry Up

Touch Remedies Posted on December 25, 2021 by Touch RemediesJanuary 5, 2022

I Wrote A St*ry

In fact, I’ve written many, but one is a published book. I have written a chapter in a second, to be released January 21st, 2022, and am currently writing another st*ry on relationships- to be my third, and perhaps final book. My belief and understanding (really simplified) is that human individuals want to be loved and accepted– and the science shows it!.

Everything we do is to try to feel loved, accepted, or as if we are part of something; That we matter and belong. Our brain takes information from the outside world and creates stories to protect us from hurt and harm; to keep us safe from emotional and physical turmoil. Our brain puts things in boxes and creates filters through which we view our whole world.

Why St*ry?

Amanda, my editor and writing support (because there was NO way I was going to write a book then have some editor tear it apart and tell me I have to fully redo it) uses this term.

I think it’s because so much emotional sh*t has to be released and processed when we share our story; Telling about life experience includes revealing struggles, heartbreak, vulnerable moments, shame and other emotions, and secrets to friends, family, and colleagues. Knowing strangers are going to read it is the easy part!

With Divine Assistance

Situations that were synergistic and stories that needed to be shared started to appear. People told me more and more about how touch or lack thereof was impacting their lives. During the pandemic I still spoke about how to navigate touch boundaries. How to connect even if handshakes and hugs were not an option.

It’s All In the Timing

The Touch Crisis is still getting great feedback and reviews. As I travel around the country, individuals are reading it and telling me how important this message is for them.

You Can’t Make this St*ry Up

Is a book about stories. 19 brave people sharing their experience as they wrote their secrets onto paper for everyone to see. Stories of abuse and fear; of romance, heartbreak, and triumphs; of race cars and veterans; of religious conflicts; of loss. Then, Amanda, our writing coach, shares how we came into her life at the perfect time to teach her something important or shift her life. (See below for the YouTube links of interviews I did + Amanda’s podcast with me.)

It’s All About YOU

The people you meet on the street, your coworkers, those who have different opinions and viewpoints- they are all here to teach you something. Are you listening? Are you open to learning about yourself through your projection onto others?

When ‘others’ create fear, anger, and frustration in you… do you know that is something that is calling for healing within yourself? It’s not about them.

I’ve traveled across the US and Europe and see this phenomenon. Individuals do their best to feel love and connection– even as they push others away and judge them for being different.

We create identity and connection to our own groups by categorizing others- sometimes as inferior or opposites.

Can’t we all just take a moment to see that everyone is doing the best for themselves and their families with the information they have, their personal and medical and social history, and a desire to live a happy and healthy life? They have their own st*ry, just as you have yours. Difference is- you don’t know what theirs entails.

Want Help Feeling Connected And/Or Loved?

Reach out via email or text. I’m here to help. Or schedule a short call with me here. It’s my life mission to help.

With love and Gratitude,

Dawn

Short Interviews with Co-authors + Podcast About My Chapter

Posted in Cultures and Communities, Touch Remedies | Tagged acceptance, books, emotional freedom techniques, empathy, healing, relationship book, relationships, relationships matter, the touch crisis, touch remedies, writing, you can't make this st*ry up
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