There is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs in care work, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. When we create a space where people feel truly safe and seen, they begin to share what is most important to them, the essence of who they are called to be, and the purposes that bring meaning to their lives.
It feels sacred to serve as a mirror in these moments. People start to voice their own affirmations, naming who they are, what they need, and what they are capable of doing. What is remarkable is that you do not need to tell them; you simply make room, and they find the words themselves. Basically, talking to you, they give themselves a pep talk. You get to bear witness, wholeheartedly agreeing as they lead the way.
And it is so special because as they speak these words, something shifts. The energy of those words moves through their bodies, aligning them with the very things they are naming. It is an experience of deep truth-telling, and it is powerful to be present for it.
I always feel immense gratitude when I witness one of these personal litanies of meaning. Moments like these remind me of the transformative power of being known, and the way our own words can help us see ourselves more fully.
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 