The module you just finished talked about in the beginning, shield more often than not. However, that’s not where you’re going to stay, that’s not where you’re going to live. Eventually the hope is that you start to understand and feel the difference between your own emotions and the internal input versus the external input or somebody else’s emotions and shielding will no longer be required. If you’re at the beginning of your journey reading this section and it feels a little bit overwhelming, feel free to skip this and come back another time. You are capable of walking around completely unshielded to everyone else’s emotions around you once you understand what’s not yours, it becomes as easy as seeing an unpleasant painting and walking away from it. A solid basis in who you are and how you feel is absolutely paramount in order to have that confidence in dealing with your own emotions.

To further that point between teaching and guiding people the work that I do within the hospital’s ICU, not once throughout my day do I shield. It has become as simple as a handshake that one time with the person I connect, and I feel, and I embrace, but the moment I let go, I Let Go! There is no need for me to carry that on to the next person.  If you or someone you know struggles with the ability to let go of somebody else’s feelings in that moment, the real question that should be asked is “why do you feel the need to carry somebody else’s pain?” You’re not a martyr, and it certainly doesn’t give the person any relief. If there’s no benefit to doing this then one must wonder, why? This is not an easy question to ask somebody, it should be treated with grace, patience and a lot of love. The reasons for doing this sometimes might surprise you that it is done under the flag of love but really becomes much more about punishing oneself. If you or someone you know struggles with this, treat them with as much love as you possibly can.

There is zero room inside of empathy for pity. Avoid that at all costs.