“Sometimes the most healing gift we can give someone is to just be a witness to the pain and chaos of their life experiences. Certainly we are incapable of explaining why the big mysteries come upon us as they do. There are times when offering explanations even adds to the confusion.

Sometimes the wisest position to take is to let a friend pour out her sorrow and rage, her anger and fear – listen and not flinch. Just listen and let the shock waves run over you until, gradually, they calm down and fall asleep from exhaustion.

Painful life passages are exhausting, especially when mixed with mystery. You don’t know when they will end. But they always come to an end. 

You can only do your best to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. But imagine if you were not there…how traumatic would that be for that person? Or for a friend’s Inner Child that is absorbing the fear of a life transition? We are all standing in the Witness position of someone or something. It is a powerful place to stand. “

from: Caroline Myss