Compassion In The Arms Of Another

Shannon Laura 1
Originally uploaded by Protagonist.

Often times we feel as if life it’s self is overwhelming us, pulling us deeper into the waters of despair leaving us far to exhausted to tread water. Most of the time was can only feel the weights tied to our ankles as we struggle to keep our heads above water.

Work, School, Family, Bills, relationships...

Stress, Lethargy, Apathy, Obligations, Abandonment...

In these times we often look to solitude for comfort, looking for a moment of quite to gather our thoughts. But that quiet usually never comes, our own thoughts are filling the silence with too much noise. Trapped in a maelstrom of contemplation we cannot stop the churning of our own minds. These thoughts are voiced by doubt and remorse.

“I feel like I have nothing to give.”

“I feel like I get nothing.”

But there is safe harbor from this sea of exhaustion, and it comes not just from the embrace of a lover, but that of a friend. Someone who will wrap their arms around you, tightly, anchoring you in one spot.

As they squeeze you naturally self-resist, you no time for this.

They squeeze harder.

You pretend it’s working, hopefully this will make them let you go.

They keep squeezing.

Finally you feel it start to let go, all of it. You are no longer holding up the weight of the world, you are simply being held.

While this lasts for only a moment you feel refreshed. The compassion of another, of a true friend has rejuvenated you.

We all need to be reminded that someone cares; we all need someone to occasionally crush the voices of doubt and remorse that dwell within us.





Of course, it’s even better to do it when you’re naked!