Opening our hearts to life.

“When we open our hearts fully to ourselves, we open to the world.” ~ Tara Brach

As this year draws to a close and a new year begins, there's often a mixture of reflection and anticipation. As I look back on 2023 it has certainly be a year of joys and sorrows both from a personal perspective and as a witness.

Witnessing events from Lebanon at beginning of the year we felt and saw the unfolding catastrophic impact of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The loss and devastation was beyond comprehension and it was difficult to witness the further traumatising of friends in Beirut still reeling from the port blast. And now witnessing the atrocities in Israel and Gaza, deepening this cycle of suffering, uncertainty and insecurity in the region.

I often find myself contemplating how we can bear witness to such human tragedy? The deep sense of helplessness can be overwhelming, which can lead to detachment or complete emotional overwhelm. The challenge is finding a healthy balance of empathy that allows us to take action or respond in meaningful and compassionate ways. As echoed in the book The Future We Choose, “We cannot and should not turn away from pain, but that heartbreak should spur us onto greater action rather sink us into a pit of blame, despair or hopelessness.” (Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Caranc)

My experiences this year have spurred me on to explore ways I can better support people heal from trauma through mind-body practices and I have since completed my initial training with Trauma Sensitive Yoga Netherland. It is a fascinating and progressive field of practice and I look forward to delving further and sharing trauma-informed approaches with you all.  

More recently I had the privilege of going on a yoga retreat and I couldn’t have wished for a more wholesome end to the year. I felt myself unclenching from the sorrow, and appreciating all the joys. With so much darkness in the world right now, my faith in humanity was restored after witnessing individuals from around the world come together in such unity with boundless love and kindness. My cup is truly full and my heart fully open again - an important reminder of what we offer those around us, and beyond, when are living from a space of open-hearted awareness.