Sometimes it is difficult to know what to say when another is in pain.  I’d like to suggest an idea to consider during those moments.

Most of the time when we’re worried about what to say, there are two underlying issues at work. First, we are trying to draw comparisons from our own frame of reference about the pain. Second, we are worried about how our words will come out and be perceived. This is the root of the communication challenge:  Our attention is on ourself — not the other person.

Considering each of us is entitled to feel pain as we feel it, and since we can never really grasp the intensity of another’s pain it is impossible to actually wholly relate to their painful experience. However, we can still have compassion by moving from words to action.  To be compassionate means we must sincerely attune our energy onto the other person as we concentrate on finding out how we can genuinely be helpful to them. It is only with this sincerity that words will come naturally easier or maybe altogether unnecessary.  

You don’t have to be a mind reader. The best way to help another with compassion begins by asking, “How can I help? What can I do?” And then?  Listening carefully.  

When we are genuinely willing to serve the needs of another at any given time, any sense of worry about whether we’re doing or saying the right thing tends to dissipate. 

Silver Disobedience® philosophy believes all healthy relationships begin with self-awareness. I’m @DianGriesel aka @SilverDisobedience ✨ I am a Perception Analyst and I wrote The Silver Disobedience Playbook. Here, I share my Daily Meditations for other Ageless, Passionate & Curious People.  More info in my bio, my websites and at Wilhelmina New York.