The Voice of Compassion in the Midst of Suffering
This is my first blog in two years. Covid, the tragic loss of a beloved family member and moving back to Maine to be closer to my daughter have all resulted in a period of relative silence. Not uncommon in times of grief. I was just making plans to return full-time to private practice when the Russian-Ukrainian War broke out.
Historically, humanity is no stranger to plagues and wars but neither are we powerless to put an end to needless human suffering. How can we individually and collectively use our voice to heal?
There’s so much information and a plethora of opinions as we watch in horror the suffering that only war can induce. So many voices influence us with interpretive narratives of the horrific images. It is easy to get lost in the cries for war, peace, and justice. But where do you find your voice in the midst of such chaos?
I am learning, as I traverse through my personal grief, that it is in silence where I begin to hear my voice faintly calling me to compassion. It reminds me to return to my breath, go out and observe the beauty and wisdom in nature and deeply appreciate the love and kindness of family, friends and strangers. Following its guidance, I can fine tune my voice and gain insight and clarity on how and when to use it.
War is loud. The voice of compassion is quiet. It waits patiently for us to seek the refuge of silence so it can guide us with its wisdom.
By seeking your own voice, guidance is made available that is most beneficial to the whole. When you make the effort to set aside the collective, reactive clamor and locate your innately peaceful nature, you can radiate compassion through guided action. This is the essence of honoring your voice.
Kristina Kelly is a speech therapist who guides her clients to self-empowerment through the discovery and use of authentic voice.