Healing Conversations in New Orleans

I believe that we never really know how or when we might be in need of a Healing Conversation or when our ability to offer just that may be needed. I have just returned from a week of training on Mind/Body techniques in New Orleans. When I went, I knew that the training would be a nice complement to what I already have, but I was not prepared for what else the week might bring. I had only been there a few hours when a friend and I stopped in the hotel gift shop to buy a bottle of water. The clerk inquired about why we were there and then started to tell us her story of Katrina. As she told her story to us you could see the loss and hopelessness written on her face. She said, "We need someone to hear our stories. It feels like we have been forgotten even a year and a half later." We could not help but to be moved by what she told us. As we left, we stopped to ask the bellman a question and he told us his own story. He talked about all the dead bodies, poisonous snakes and alligators that were in the water after the storm. He looked away and said it gave him shivers just to think about it. We had heard two stories in such a short amount of time that gave us much reason to pause and be with what they had said.

As the training began, we realized about 40 of the participants were from New Orleans. On the first day we heard what it was like to live through Katrina, but also what it has been like since. At the end of the first day many people were at a loss of how to be of help to them. Then one woman said it very eloquently, "We just need you to hear us and be a witness to our stories. We are all in the same or worse position and so we have no one to tell our stories to. If you just listen to us that will be very powerful."

That is the one thing I could do, I could listen with a compassionate ear. As the week progressed I listened to many, many stories. One day several of us were shopping and the owner of the store started talking to us about her life after Katrina. She said she was under so much stress she finally had to get medication to help her. The store was empty so we asked her if she would like to learn some things that would help her stress. She quickly agreed and was deeply grateful for this small amount of help. I felt privileged to be a witness to her pain and maybe somehow offer a spark of hope.

While I was there, I made friends with Malcolm the hotel doorman. I asked how he made out in the hurricane and he said, "Oh Darling...I lost it all." He said this with a smile on his face, and then he said, "What should I do? Feeling sad will not help me so I come to work with a smile on my face because you only get one chance to make a first impression." Having said that, he gave me a big smile and hug and said, "Darling...have a great day!" His wonderful spirit was a gift to me and every person he greeted in the hotel lobby.

I came home and realized that each time someone told me their story and I listened with an open heart, that it was a healing conversation. Not only was it healing for them but also for me as I was reminded of the resiliency of the human spirit.

I don't know when you might unexpectedly find yourself in a place where the best thing you can offer is a listening ear and an open heart, but I know it is powerful beyond words.

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