Healing Is Not a Solo Event

by Jan Linley

It was important to my parents that my brothers and I become independent and able to take care of ourselves. For the most part, that has served us well. But there are times when we must rely on others, especially when we are vulnerable due to surgery or physical or mental illness. That is when we are reminded of John Donne’s famous words, “No man is an island.” The challenge is not that we don’t know that or understand it, but we often behave in a way that suggests otherwise. Some of us, me included, find it difficult to ask for support or assistance until we’re backed into a corner. We don’t like being vulnerable; however, healing is not a solo event.

There is comfort in communicating with others who have gone through the same things we are going through. It connects us. In nature, that happens organically. We don’t have any problem looking at a spider’s web and seeing how all the strands of silk are beautifully woven together. That silk is as strong as Kevlar and 100 times tougher than steel, but it’s also elastic, making it both strong and flexible. We can imagine and have seen root systems connected and interwoven beneath the ground. If we could think of ourselves as connected by invisible energy strands like roots and spider’s silk, we might understand that humans are also organically connected. Then we might value the importance of taking care of not only our own health but sustaining and caring for all forms of life. That is what we explore in this issue of Living Peace, understanding our connectivity and the ripple effect of our actions.

From the ancient healing modality of acupuncture, which is based on trigger points and energetic pathways throughout our bodies, to a job with the Congregation, healing is happening everywhere.

Care of creation has long been a concern of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. The many Priuses you find in their parking lots are not just for show.

Kelly Marsicano shares some of the different ways the sisters’ sponsored ministries and eastern regional center are implementing sustainability.

Liz Dodd, CSJP, describes how providing consistency, safety and basic human needs creates “ripples of love that ricochet into eternity,” while Kathy Galleher provides some very useful practices that can bring healing and peace to us that translate to ripples of healing in the world.

Both Melody Maravillas and Frank McCann remind us how important our connections and encounters are, and that collective advocacy can and does promote and create positive change. The title of this issue’s cover art is “The Healing Power of Curiosity.” Indeed, Stephanie Peirolo encourages us to be more curious thereby opening a path to compassion and acceptance.

As imperfect beings, we are always in a state of healing, even if we’re simply trying to do and be better. Our emotional states and the behavior that arises from them affect everyone around us. In a world where every time we open our papers or computers or phones, we find truly horrific news, it is easy to be fraught and feel hopeless and helpless. There are situations that are beyond our control, and there are many we can control. The more we can focus on the latter, on our impressive ability to heal and transform wounds, the more we can tip the balance to the healthy side of things.

We are one interwoven, complex and precious divine being. So, get curious! Keep exploring new ways to be healthy and to maintain good mental and physical health. Do an examen of consciousness about how well you are caring for our planet in the choices you make. Be a conduit of change and a force for good. Take care of yourself. Take care of our world.