Bearing Witness

Welcome to your midweek pick me up!

Oops! It happened again - a series of conversations and circumstances led me to this week's topic, Bearing Witness!

First, I heard stories of people showing up for someone in their life, or they had someone show up for them. Then, I witnessed various groups of people gathering together to express their collective concerns for another group of people, mostly those who are on the "margins" of society. Next, I had a friend whose elderly mother passed away and a coworker of theirs didn't really say anything, they just gave their friend a hug, and it meant everything to them.  Finally, I was having a conversation with a leader and they said, "Often, my most valuable tool is to simply come alongside the people I lead and just bear witness with them to their work and lives."

And there it was - the phrase that perfectly expressed this thread I was seeing and feeling! So, I decided to write my own definition (I know, kind of presumptuous of me, but words matter and sometimes the best thing I can do for myself is to try and put things into my own words because they stick better)!

Bearing Witness: The act of simply showing up for another person; joining with others in a simple act of solidarity motivated by compassion and empathy; finding the common thread of human connection with another in a way that helps both parties know they aren't alone.

Maybe we could give ourselves a small gift today? Rather than powering our way through the rest of this email,  what if we slowed down and took a few extra moments to reflect on the following:

When was a time someone simply showed up for you? Did they even have to use words?  Who was it and how could you be grateful for them and that moment? Be grateful that they bore witness with you!

As you think about your circle of influence right now, is there someone you can simply show up for this week?  How could you do that without needing to use too many words, or even any at all? Or maybe you need to use some simple words by picking up the phone and making that call, or sending that card? Bear Witness with them!

Reflect on a time when a group joined together to stand with someone or a group of individuals who may have been very different than them, but they did it because their compassion and empathy drove them to action? Maybe there is something happening in your community that really matters to you? Could you find a way to use your voice to show your solidarity? Take the step to Bear Witness in a collective way!

Is there someone in your life that you are struggling with? Perhaps you are on opposite sides of an issue, or they did something that really upset you? Rather than dig in your heels, could you look for a small (maybe very small!) thread of common human connection with them?  What would it mean to work to use that connection as the place to move forward and discover neither of you are actually alone? Find a way to Bear Witness to their humanity in a way that creates solidarity!

One thing is very clear to me, in each of the circumstances I was privileged to either hear about or observe, those acts of Bearing Witness may not have changed the trajectory of the world, but they made an incredibly significant impact on the individuals who were receiving them!

Here's to being people who are willing to Bear Witness with others this week (and beyond)! It matters!

Be Well,

Stephen

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