One day I walked into my favorite Starbucks, contemplating what I was going to write about that week, and I noticed a new sign on the door. It read: “It’s not about you or us. It’s about change. Change for the better.” The sign went on to inform its customers that the store would be closing for a week for remodeling. Tuning in and listening with my heart, the message spoke to me about healthy detachment. What I have come to realize is that sustaining healthy detachment is reminding ourselves that whatever is happening isn’t about you or me-it’s about the grander scheme of transformation. It means accepting and moving with the constant … [Read more...]
Practicing the 5 Steps of Compassionate Detachment
Being compassionate toward others doesn’t require us to engage in any unhealthy physical or emotional experiences a person may be having. In fact, compassion requires that we remove ourselves from their physical process, and instead support from a place where we feel stable and empowered. We can communicate that we love a person while still refusing to play a part in their drama. For instance, when someone wants to vent about a particular issue, we can listen with an open heart but still refrain from taking on their negativity, giving unsolicited advice, or trying to fix the situation. This allows us to provide loving support yet remain calm, … [Read more...]