Do you listen?  I mean REALLY listen when people are talking to you?  There are days when I definitely struggle with this.  As busy people, there can be so many things competing for our attention – often all at once.  There are at least 10 tabs open in my brain at all times.  It can be hard for me to close them when someone needs me to not only actively listen, but truly hold space for them…hello 3 kids under 8.

In order to make genuine, authentic, life-changing connections in our professional lives we need to actively work at listening to and holding space for others.  This requires practice, discipline and restraint.  Once again you might be thinking this is a pretty simple idea.  I challenge you to think about the last time someone needed you to listen and you were able to hold space for them without sharing a similar story about yourself or interjecting with advice.  This can be HARD.

When a person feels heard, understood, valued and SEEN they will forever associate that interaction with positive and supportive feelings.  We generally want to continue working with people that make us feel supported and heard.  Building authentic relationships is the surest way forward for lasting professional connections both in and out of health care.

Just like we need to create meaningful relationships with our clients and patients, we need to create connections with our fellow providers as well.  Want to change the birth world for the better?  Begin with holding space for another care provider who is showing you they need to be heard.  Make this your meditation ~ your spiritual practice at your next birth.