This comment was by Leslie Parsons Daniel in response to Mark Greene’s post “6 Reasons Why ‘Women Aren’t Crazy is Only Part of the Story.”

“The gift of the act of listening, decoupled from immediately REACTING can create a holding space for the emotions of others.”

This is beautifully stated. When I express sadness, frustration, fear or disappointment, it does not mean that there is anything ‘wrong’ with me or ‘broken’ that need fixing. Often, I am expressing my need to be ‘held’ emotionally. I want to be heard. I want to be respected. I want to be free to be entirely intimate.

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photo by kmk7702 / flickr