Your Support System

Who is in your support system? Who are the people you can call on in need or in joy? It’s important to know who these people are, and to connect with them as often as needed. In the beginning, I had no idea such a thing mattered or was important. I did not always know how to have friends, or to let people in enough to realize they cared about me. Now, don’t get me wrong, I had friends, but I didn’t let it sink in all the way that these people cared about me, because I had put up so many protections around my heart. 

The first time I learned about the concept of a support system I was in an inpatient treatment program for survivors of trauma. We had to draw a big circle, and inside of the big circle were smaller circles. We were asked to put a name of someone in our support system in each of the small circles. It was a hard exercise for me, admitting that other people mattered to me and could care about me. I was eventually able to think of four friends whom I considered to be in my support system. This exercise opened my mind and heart to the value of positive relationships. I realized that it was good to have people care about me, and that I could reach out to people with whom I felt safe. It was beautiful to begin to recognize those friendships that sustained me.

Who would you put in your circle? What qualities do each of these people have? Cherish these people and continue to cultivate your relationship with them by also showing them how much you care about them. It can be hard to remember to reach out to our friends and family when the world gets busy and stressful or we’re experiencing something difficult, but it’s so important for your heart, and for theirs. No one should be alone. As the quote by Ram Dass goes, “We’re all just walking each other home.” 

Sending you blessings and good friends for your journey.