Nothing less than nothing....
Tell me the weight of a snowflake", a coal-mouse asked a wild dove. "Nothing more than nothing", came the answer. "In that case, I must tell you a marvelous story," the coal-mouse said. "I sat on the branch of a fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow -- not heavily, not in a raging blizzard -- no, just like in a dream, without a wound and without any violence. Since I did not have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was
exactly 3,741,952. When the 3,741,953rd dropped onto the branch -- nothing more than nothing, as you say -- the branch broke off." Having said that, the coal-mouse flew away. The dove, an authority on this since the time of Noah, thought about the story for awhile, and finally said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come to the world."
A friend and fellow therapist gave me this quote a long long time ago... and although I believe the writer had different intentions, one more inclined towards positivity, I saw through the lens of a trauma therapist.
Many times I have sat with another, hearing about the weight of the "snowflake", 100,000 snowflakes, what felt like a billion snowflakes. And how, when the last one landed, they felt like they just could not bear the weight any longer. Given the times we are in, and all that has happened, I am wanting to acknowledge the weight that comes with a long arc of holding the heavy.... and this is heavy.
If you feel like it has become too heavy, please tell someone, tell me, tell a friend, tell a tree, the River, the Forest, the Lake or the Mountain. Tell a stranger at the other end of a crisis line. Tell God or Spirit, or Creator, or the Ancestors (we all have those)... Although we all experience life in our own unique way, we do so among one another. There is Love to be had, & maybe even support from one who, blessedly at the moment, does not feel buried. Someone who can listen with deep respect for your experience. I hope you find someone who can me
et you with kindness, compassion and warmth.
As I said earlier, to a friend I have not yet met ; Sending deep blessings your way, a huge hug, some tissue if needed, a cup of tea, and a good long listen.. so long that when you get to the end of telling how done you feel, you feel lighter friend.
Bless,
Nicole