Safe Spaces

This Week's Quotation:

Create safe spaces for yourself. Wrap yourself in goodness and warmth and love. Stay surrounded by people who are genuine—think twice if you can’t trust them with your heart. You are allowed to protect your peace. Be mindful and aware of all energy that you allow into your life.

 ~Alex Elle

Safe Spaces

One of the primary needs of the human being is to feel safe, and I am pretty sure that may be true for all non-human life, too.

But safety isn’t just about shelter from the elements and hunting packs. Safety in the human context has a lot to do with how we treat each other and give each other space to grow, express ourselves authentically, and explore our world in our own way so that we fulfil our potential. I am learning more about this all the time, and I have had to work hard to forgive myself for the times I did not make someone feel safe because I did not understand their need. The subtext about what is really going on with us is not always obvious and can take some practice to discern.

A friend shared her heart about some concerns she had about a particular situation concerning a business relationship. She was trying to make sense of the situation and needed someone to help her think it through. The next day, she told me she had shared the same concerns with another friend the previous day, and that friend had chosen to repeat the conversation, which then reached the person concerned and created unnecessary awkwardness. Often, we need to unpack something as we try to work it out. Isn’t that what friends are for?

If we are to create peace in this world, we need to make it a safe space for ourselves and those around us. The best way to make a friend is to be the friend that person needs at that moment, without judgement and without taking ownership of their life story. If it’s not our story, we have no right to repeat it.

If we are serious about building peace in our conflicted world, we need to be clear about what it means to be a friend, particularly to someone whose beliefs, perspectives, and definitions may differ from ours. Sometimes, that means having a conversation about our expectations of each other. In his book, The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz reminds us to be impeccable with our word, not to take anything personally, to always do our best, and not to make assumptions. Assumptions can also cause unexpected anxiety. For instance, I have a clear understanding of what interfaith is, and I assume everyone else has the same understanding. Conversations reveal this is not the case!

If we want to create peace in the world, let us remember the Golden Rule that flows through many of the world’s religions: Treat others how you want to be treated. There is a Platinum Rule, too: Treat others how they want to be treated. When we make this our conscious and mindful practice, we make the world a safer place for ourselves and everyone around us. We reach beyond our differences and disagreements to a place of primal spirituality where we experience the interconnectedness and One-ness that is both our birthright and our legacy.

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About Open Windows

We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.

We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.