Thursday, September 11

When someone feels truly heard, they experience more than just listening - they experience validation. To be heard is to have your pain, your story, and your existence acknowledged without judgment. That moment often becomes the turning point toward healing, because it reminds us we are not alone in our struggle. Healing doesn’t always begin with solutions or advice; it begins with presence, compassion, and the courage to simply listen.

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Let’s unpack this:

Healing rarely moves in a straight line. It unfolds in countless small moments, of acceptance, of resistance, of anger, of bargaining, of release. Each stage of grief can circle back in unexpected ways. What matters most is remembering that healing is an active choice. Every day, we decide how we will tend to our losses, honor our grief, and keep moving forward. For me, one of the most powerful shifts has been learning to befriend my grief. When I accept it, when I seek meaning within it, it no longer controls me. It no longer defines me. Instead, it becomes a chapter in my story, not the whole book. - Adriana Rodriguez-Baptiste 

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Subscriber Spotlight: This week’s resource:

You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy is a book that explores why true listening is rare, how it affects our lives, and what we can do to change it. Through science, storytelling, and practical advice, it highlights the art of listening and its power to transform our connections.

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