Holding Space for Someone

I am blessed that I have many friends who empathically listen to me.

Since I lost my first son Tyler last November, I cannot appreciate more for the people who have held space for me just to let me be myself. I can express myself by talking or not talking, being frustrated and angry, or just being sad and cry.

Sometimes it’s a face-to-face talk over a coffee, sometimes it’s an online call from different countries, sometimes it’s text messages throughout the day. However it is done, the important thing is that I feel someone cares for me, that someone pays attention to me, and that someone is listening to me nonjudgmentally.

Knowing that I have a safe space to truly feel whatever I’m feeling is so powerful. For me, who’s a strong communicator and a learner, it’s really important to talk and think at the same time to deeply understand what’s really happening inside of me and what’s influencing my feelings.

In many intercultural training programs or coaching programs, the importance of active listening, empathy, and emotional intelligence are emphasized. Whether the context is professional or personal, people need the safe space to be themselves, and in order to work with people or to understand people, the ability to hold space for someone is crucial.

I’m learning the importance by experiencing it myself through my everyday intercultural situations and grieving process. Many people have held space for me, and I know how it feels to be heard, acknowledged and accepted nonjudgmentally. I believe I’m given a great opportunity to experientially and deeply learn this process, so that i can become a better person and a coach to truly understand others and just hold space for people who need it.

I am blessed that I have many friends who empathetically listen to me.

Thank you.