There are five or six people in my life that are going through some big personal or professional stuff. Which brings up for me how I can be there for them.
There is nothing I can solve and for the most part, I’ve retired my “advice monster” or at least I’ve tried to. But still the process of actively listening with open regard is a challenge. It reminds me of this Winnie the Pooh quote.
“A friend is someone who helps you up when you are down, and if they can’t, they lay down beside you and listen.”
– Winnie the Pooh
It is a practice that my meditation teacher, Deirdre, calls holding space and we talk about it in this episode of the podcast. How do we do it effectively? What good does it do for the person we are holding space for?
We also talk about another favorite phrase that I’ve gotten from her – “being parked in my small space.” That is to say, that space where everything and anything bugs us because our perspective is shut down. Deirdre gives some great tips on how to open back up to that expansive state where we don’t have to BE the irritations and pains that we are currently feeling.
After the last episode with Deirdre, Patti said it reminded her of the song, “Breathe” by Anna Nalik. Deirdre and I talk about breath as the foundational tool of change.
This episode is not all serious, big-minded topics. When I last had Deirdre on, I preserved an outtake from the end of the conversation where we cracked ourselves up and couldn’t stop talking. In this episode there is also an outtake that I’ve tacked on at the end – but it is from the beginning of the conversation where I try to wrangle Deirdre but she is just too effusive and frankly, a hugely funny pain in the ass, so we have to start over.
We know you will enjoy this entertaining and fun episode!
Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts or click here to listen to: Episode 14: Holding Space with Deirdre Wilcox
Then we hope you’ll come back here and share the take-away gems that resonated with you.
Episode 14 links:
Link to Podcast on Anchor: Episode 14: Holding Space with Deirdre Wilcox
And the link to our previous podcast together: Episode 10: The Power of Intuition with Deirdre Wilcox
Deirdre’s website: Deirdre’s Therapeutics
The Heart of the Matter 
I love when you talk about your friend and coach Dierdre who clearly plays an important part in your life.
And that Pooh quote is so true. We can’t always solve our friends problems but the act of simply being there in the trenches with them makes a difference.
Enjoy your weekend!
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Thank you, Ab! What a kind comment! Being there in the trenches – yes, so well said!
I hope you all have a great weekend! ❤
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Active listening…open regard…so much goodness in your post and the podcast with Deirdre, Wynne! Loved every moment…thank you both so much. 🥰
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Ah, you honed right into the heart of the matter…pun intended. 🙂 Thank you so much for the wisdom and guidance! ❤ ❤ ❤
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You two need no encouragement…wisdom or guidance…and I love the pun!
Yes, yes, yes! 🥰
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I loved this Wynne. I just wish I’d listened to it before class this morning. I’m not sure I would have handled things much differently but I’d gave understood the need to hold space for a student who came to me for help.
The ideas Deirdre shared about holding space and big and little spaces was so insightful.
Having listened to the full podcast, how many takes were required for your calm introduction? 😀
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Thank you for listening, Brenda! I’m sure as a lecturer, holding space is one of the very many things you do.
And I’m laughing about the takes question. The second one went fine although if you listen closely to my voice as I start the intro, you can tell that I’m still laughing. That Deirdre… 🙂 ❤
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Deirdre has such a calming voice – our thoughts, words and actions all influence our peace!
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What a lovely and true comment, Mary! Thank you so much for listening! ❤
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