Holding Hope
Many of us wear multiple hats during the day, both in our personal and professional lives. There is one hat I frequently wear, I call it, the “Holder of Hope.”
Underneath its brim, I stand with clients and look into the abyss. Call it depression, anxiety, trauma, unexpected and unwanted life changes… the abyss is a scary place. I stand with people and we stare into the abyss- together. They are not alone. I tell them stories of others who have stood where they are, fought their fight, and gone on to flourish. I tell them that when they have no hope, their circle can help hold it for them.
This is what we do for each other. Sometimes, we hold the hope, and sometimes, others hold it for us.
For who and what do you hold the hope… and who holds it for you?
I am listing below some of the community I have found who help hold the hope for me, who help me keep looking up and looking bright.
Tribe: a Healing Arts Community
This lovely little corner of the world used to be my office in Chicago and is a beautiful community of like-minded healing practitioners.
I recently toured this facility and was deeply moved as one of their native biologists described how his journey of learning and caring for the plants as a young adult helped him overcome the trauma of an abusive home. He had such a deep respect for the complex ecosystem of medicinal and food plant and human interaction and this out of the way garden is not only gorgeous but doing so much to protect, preserve and support their local community.
The Functional Forum is the world’s largest integrative medicine conference curating the industry’s leading innovators in a mixed-media format that combines interviews, TED-style talks, videos, audience interaction, and music, all archived for free forever on their You tube Channel.
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/
IFM serves as a leader and catalyst of the ecosystem of functional medicine, incubating, supporting, and disseminating creative and innovative new tools and approaches highlighting the central concept of an interconnected web binding all elements of body (physiology, biochemistry), mind, and spirit.
The Midwest’s oldest and most respected center for integrative care. I love Dr. Edelberg’s blog and their extensive library of articles on health concerns and ailments, alternative therapies, nutritional supplements, etc. is wonderful.
*I also have the distinct privilege of collaborating with a wide array of incredible colleagues and practitioners who walk the walk with me! Too many to list. Most of all, to the people who trust me to be part of their health team, who keep showing up in their own lives…you make it all worth while. You help hold my hope!
Aline Defiglia LCSW is a licensed, clinical psychotherapist, coach and hypnotherapist who works with individuals and teams for personal and professional transformation. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her family and works with clients in Chicago, Illinois, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia.
