We appreciate the value of knowing we can contact someone when things are difficult; knowing that that person will “be there” for us.
What does it really take to do this?
We might imagine it involves sharing the burden of the problem, and so shy away from the load. In fact, it doesn’t mean that at all. It’s not a question of rescuing them. Often, that’s not even possible, at least not from the literal situation.
Being there for someone means being contactable, sure, but above all, it means being a steadying presence with a consistent and honest and realistic response, reassuring them they are not alone as they go through whatever they have to go through, and that our energy is with them. The more grounded we are by the clarity of our own direction and purpose, and the deeper the place we come from, the better we will be able to do that.
It doesn’t cost so much. And the value is much greater than the cost, and not just to the other person.
What’s your experience of “being there” for someone, or of someone being there for you?